HOW BEST TO GET THERE
DOVER ~ CALAIS ?
This is the shortest crossing taking only 1¼ hours, really only 50 minutes at sea, and mile for mile is far from inexpensive. Ferries run every hour or so with a choice of operators. Hovercraft is no more. It has been superceded by a high speed catamaran type vessel offering an alternative for those in a rush. This is usually one of the first services to be affected by bad weather, and in really bad weather, Dover sailings may be suspended altogether as the harbour entrance can be difficult to negotiate sideways.
The biggest boats are run by P&O "Pride of Calais and Pride of Dover". From experience both are very comfortable even in the roughest weather! Excellent fast food service offered by Langhams. The all-in breakfast is an absolute must.
Downside:-Longer drive in France, and possible an overnight.
Calais to La Tranche ~ 450 to 500 MILES
OTHER ROUTES include
NEWHAVEN ~ DIEPPE
FOLKSTONE ~ BOULOGNE
PLYMOUTH ~ ROSCOFF & ST.MALO
POOLE ~ CHERBOURG & ST.MALO
WEYMOUTH ~ ST.MALO via GUERNSEY
As yet we've not tried any of these routes so cannot comment.
PORTSMOUTH, offers routes to Le HAVRE, CAEN, & ST.MALO & CHERBOURG.
FERRY OPERATORS include
LD Line
Deliberately not put a link to LD Line as every time I go to their site, it locks the page and prevents you going 'Back' to the previous page. That's bad, and I am even remotely cynical am left wondering why?
There again, P&O simply gave up Portsmouth sailings sighting cheap flights as too much competition. Maybe they have a point. We flew from East Midlands to Nantes, only an hour and a bit, and picked up a hire car for less than the cost of the ferry. Similarly flown to La Rochelle; best described as an air-strip. The only place I have ever been searched, baggage searched, and repeatedly asked to show my passport. Perhaps they thought I was famous. The flights on one occasion to Nantes totaled £65 return for the two of us. Bizzarre. Fine for a jolly with little luggage, or a week-end pop-over, but if you have the kids and all their stuff, and the in-laws on the roof, it simply doesn't work.
PORTSMOUTH to CHERBOURG
P&O Gone, finished, just gave it up. Just Brittany Ferries. Now then what a restaurant.
Day and night crossings, approximately 8 hours. Night crossings, though longer are very convenient for an 06.00 Hrs (local time) arrival. Only drawback to long crossings it can be a little awkward for meals. (bear in mind mal de mer, is closely related to avoir faim)
You've probably been on the road for some time and in heavy traffic so you don't want to stop. You don't want to be late for check-in so you'll aim at arriving 18.30 ish. Once you arrive at check-in, you'll be expected to be with your car.
Not used LD Lines so cannot comment, but they have taken the ex P&O Portsmouth to Le Havre slot.
Alternatively, overnight at the Travellodge at Portsmouth which is quite literally a few hundred yards from the terminal. Sail on the first boat at crack of dawn.
PORTSMOUTH ~ St.MALO or CAEN. Not the cheapest, but that's the one, St.Malo that is. Long crossing, but good nights sleep and only 180 miles to go, about three hours.
The best wheeze is to avoid weekend departures altogether. If you study the timetables, you'll notice that the tariff is usually marked up at weekends. That's because they're busier. That's two good reasons. The other reason is there's less traffic midweek.
Depending on where you live (in the UK) you may be faced with an overnight. Whilst that might be very convenient on the ferry, a Thursday crossing with a night or two in France is much more relaxing. There's no shortage of accommodation in France and at highly competitive prices, usually less than onboard accommodation. Plus you're more likely to find Cuisine than catering.
CHERBOURG to LA TRANCHE ~ 260 to 275 miles depending on route. Perhaps the easiest port to drive out of; in deepest rural France within minutes.
Le HAVRE to LA TRANCHE ~ 350 to 375 miles. Is also fairly easy to get out of and gives you a good fifteen miles run on no-toll motorway to the brand new Pont de Normandie. It's a sight in itself and worth a visit if only to say you have seen the largest bridge of its kind anywhere in the world. I cannot remember what the Toll is. Have Francs or a credit card to hand . Don't be a smartie pants and go in the outside (left hand) lane unless you have got the correct change to throw in the bucket, as this lane is unmanned. It's a mite embarrassing explaining to the stroppy gentleman behind why you need him and six other cars to back up.
Cherbourg or Le Havre crossings will save you the best part of 200 miles driving compared with Calais. Driving times in the region of 6 hours for Le Havre, and under 5 hours for Cherbourg, put the journey easily in the realms of a day.
There's a new section of autoroute from Caen to St.Malo that's due to open spring 2001. Part of it is open already and is accessible just south of St.Lo. There is also a new section of motorway open from south of Avranches to Rennes with more under construction. From Cherbourg, journey times of under five hours are becoming realistic.
St.MALO to LA TRANCHE offers the least drive, 180 miles which can be done easily in 3 hours, but this is the most expensive crossing.
Certainly the longer crossings, whilst more expensive, do afford a longer holiday time in France, with substantial reductions in driving time and mileage. This may save you in the region 400 miles plus of fuel on the round trip. Depending on exchange rate and fuel consumption, the saving will probably offset the additional expense of accommodation.
In high season, you are more likely to get late or last minute crossings on the Dover route. Whatever crossing you choose - we must stress the need to book early, particularly for weekends in high season. (Many such sailings are fully booked as early as January)
I suppose we must refer to the "Tunnel". What can I say. For people who live in the South East it may be extremely convenient. It may also be of interest to ferry-phobics. Personally, I think it's overrated, but then I've not tried it. Perhaps I have an attitude problem. We're talking about holidays, leisure and the like. The idea of sitting in the car for a further half hour or so just to save twenty minutes, only to have to stop the other side to stretch legs, find refreshments, toilets and so on somehow just does not appeal.
We recommend the longer sea routes. The standard of onboard accommodation is generally pretty good. (realistically, it cannot compare with cuisine on offer in the Chateau of you choice) You will find the "upstairs" a la carte only a little more expensive than the self service, and without the wandering about looking for a seat not already claimed for the passage. You arrive in France some two hundred or so miles further south, rested, ready to enjoy a leisurely drive through rural France, as opposed to flogging away on the Autoroute. Much more of a holiday.
NB Prevailing speeds are significantly higher than in the UK, as are the on the spot fines.