Flying LyddAir to French resort Le Touquet is like stepping into a by-gone era of more civilised ... Fly and dine in France...

You can park directly outside the departure lounge at London Ashford airport, Lydd, and with the efficient check-in service and a flight time to Le Touquet of 20 minutes you can be in France in around half an hour.

This service harks back to Lydd's heyday in the 1950s when it was a gateway to Britain for scores of continental visitors. In 1958 the Kent airport handled 222,828 passengers, which was 37,000 more than Gatwick that year.

NOW LyddAir flies day trips to the north of France on Saturdays and Sundays that offer the opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of Le Touquet, the seaside resort popular with Parisians.

A short taxi ride from the airport takes you into the centre of the town where you can enjoy the boutique shopping on Rue St Jean with a range of quality goods including Cartier, Dupont, Chopard and Hermes.

Other highlights to be found as you wander around town include fine wines, chocolates and locally produced cheeses. You can also enjoy fabulous French cuisine in Le Touquet's numerous bistros or restaurants, take a stroll along the beach or even try your luck at the casino.

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