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Folkestone to Le Touquet

Michael Portillo travels through the longest undersea tunnel in the world on the Eurotunnel shuttle rail service from Folkestone to Calais.

Michael Portillo travels through the longest undersea tunnel in the world on the Eurotunnel shuttle rail service from Folkestone to Calais.

In Calais, Michael is reminded that for 200 years, from the mid-14th century, the city was part of the English realm. Heading south on a new express to Boulogne-sur-Mer, Michael tucks into the local cheese and wine, and up early the next morning, he explores France’s biggest fishing port.

In the kitchen at La Matelote, Michael learns to prepare la Gainée, a traditional Boulogne fish stew. Tracing the tracks of an early electric tram, Michael reaches Etaples-Le Touquet on the Paris line to discover the chic resort’s sandy beach, glamorous hotels and casino.

8 months left to watch

29 minutes

Signed Audio described

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Michael Portillo
Director Celestino Ingrao
Series Editor Alison Kreps
Executive Producer John Comerford
Production Company Fremantle

Broadcasts

Steam railway programmes on ±«Óãtv iPlayer

A collection of programmes from the ±«Óãtv archives on the beauty of steam locomotives.