Calais - where to go and what to use: pound or euro or card?

Just wondered whether anyone can share his/her experience of shopping in Calais. In particular, if you had to recommend one shop - what would it be? And also, what%26#039;s the best way to pay? Is it beneficial to pay in pounds (where it%26#039;s allowed), or euro would work out cheaper for me? If paying by card, would the bank charge an incredible exchange rate eliminating any savings you try to make?

Thankx.

Calais - where to go and what to use: pound or euro or card?apply for a loan

If you are going for beer or wine, go to East Enders near to the Pidou supermarket at Rue Marcel Doret (last exit off Rocade Est motorway before the ferry port), or to London Waterloo (aka midnight) in the Ardres area (off the A16/E40, old exit number17, Route de St Omer - it%26#039;s a bit out of the way, in a warehouse up an old railway siding, ask for directions.) The familiar British shops like Sainsbury%26#039;s and Tesco, in Coquelle (first exit off the motorway as you leave the Channel Tunnel) are not the cheapest. If you want tobacco it is cheaper in Belgium than France so go up the E40 motorway to the Belgian border town of Adinkerke (about 40 miles follow signs toward Dunkirk/Brussels, cross the border and exit J1a. Off the motorway, turn left, and left at the roundabout).

All the major wine, beer and tobacco shops in northern France and Belgium accept sterling, so you won%26#039;t be charged commission on currency exchange. If the exchange rate fluctuates, so does the price. It is better to pay in sterling, you know exactly what you have been charged and can compare it directly to British prices. Some of these businesses are run by British people, or are aimed directly at British shoppers, and they are accustomed to being paid in sterling.

Also remember, popular brand beer is not that much cheaper in France, but you save a lot on %26quot;strong%26quot; beers. Tobacco in Belgium, Golden Virginia costs 锟?.50 per packet LESS than it does in the UK. Cigarettes are not as big a saving. If you are up for a long drive, the Spanish border town of Iruna has cheap ciggies, but be prepared to have them stolen by dodgy Douanes Francaises (French customs) as you drive home!)

Calais - where to go and what to use: pound or euro or card?

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I don鈥瞭 know about shopping in Calais, but I know that it鈥瞫 cheaper to pay in euros as Calais is in France and in France they use euros. I also happen to know that banks charge a lot if you use credit cards. But good luck and have a nice and safe journey.