We are a family with two kids, driving for the first time from Zurich to Calais this Summer. We intend to break the journey half way. Can anyone recommend a decent B&B for an overnight stay in France?
Thanks.

It's kind of a big country to recommend a set place. It would depend on the route you take, the dates and therefore the traffic jams, the places you might like to visit...
We often stop at "motorway hotels", in towns close to the exits, easy to get to with exhausted children, booking them in advance and often with difficulty to arrive on time, lots of calls as we see our progress, so they don't give our room to someone else etc.
I think the location in relation to your route is more important on a long drive in the busy season.
Don't under-estimate the time it takes to get from Zurich to France either, with speed limits and road works it can take three hours in light traffic.

The famous French hotel chains are ETAP, IBIS, ACCOR Hotel group.

Small French hotels often do not offer breakfast. You are expected to visit the local café in your dressing gown.

Reims Champagne capital of France
Holiday inn

La Citadelle in Metz is where I last stayed en route to Calais and I highly recommend it.

Basel? Just kidding.

Where are you going to in the UK?

If North-bound, then what about up to Zeebruge or Rotterdam - in one hit - and take an overnight ferry?

We've often done the journey in 8 hrs - two 3.5 hr stints and a 1 hr break (from Basel) - if you leave early in the morning, i.e. between 3 and 4 am, children will sleep and roads are clear. First stop and breakfast, and usually there in time for the lunchtime ferry.

That's sticking to 140 kph and going via French roads. From Zurich, might be worth going via Germany.

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The Ibis at the Tinqueux motorway junction, Reims..

The restaurant is surprisingly okay for the type of place.

Oops going by Basel you get to France quicker, I was thinking of via Geneva for heading south! Cancel the three hours so!

Via Michelin suggest 3 routes to the Ibis hotel in TINQUEUX with various times spent on autoroutes and their toll charges. Cheapest is also not much slower than the most expensive, 6 hours and 550 km

http://de.viamichelin.ch/web/Itinera...routeConso=5.6

If your journey ends in Calais; that journey is really a days drive and no point stopping until you get to Calais. There really isn't anything worth stopping for on the way.

If you are on journey to UK; then stop in France as cheaper than UK. You are better off stopping closer to Calais so less worries of missing planned ferry.

Remind me never to ask you for directions...

Agreed. We always get the P and O ferry for a Langans breakfast. We stop over at St Quentin though as it is still close enough (1:20h ish) to reliably predict arrival time in Calais.

Getting through immigration takes longer and longer each time 30 minutes before sailing is no longer sufficient and I would turn up at latest 45 minutes before the sailing.

http://www.villagegaulois.com/en/index.html

http://www.hoteltambour.com/

http://www.chateauxhotels.co.uk/Moulin-Du-Landion-144

We have stayed at all the above places roughly half way. Moulin du landion probably our favourite and close to a well hidden theme park for the children, excellent restaurant there as well as village gauloise. The Tambour is good for central Reims.

I disagree. Reims is worth a stop.

There are other pleasant places to stay and eat on the way. We have stayed here at the Chateau de Barive. The food's rather good.

Arras is really nice as well. Both Laon and St.Quentin are nice too for an evening stroll to stretch your legs.

Be careful parking up too close to Calais if you have a lorry or van. I've been told that people have had problems with stowaways and break-ins.