France Ferry & Campsite info (use Search function) mod warning post 1

just got an email from irish ferries saying theres a 10% early boooker discount if you book now. Theres no code so it must be for all bookings.

Just looked at the Irish Ferries price there. Our sailing for July next Yr is 50 euros dearer with the discount than what we booked it for in October.

Folks, I'm heading down to La Rochelle with 2 kids (age 2 + 7). I'm wondering if anyone had any recommendations on places to stay the night? We can't check in until the next day so we need a stop over. Any tips/advice appreciated!

They have added some air con for 2024.

About to pull the trigger on booking our 2024 holiday.

Have always either done Irish Ferries or Brittany Ferries, but Stena sailing dates and time coming home look preferable.

Is there much difference between the two Stena ships on that route, and how do they compare to Pont Aven? Guessing they're not as plush as WBY.

We travelled via the Ferry. The drive wasn't bad, 4:30hrs-5hrs but it depends on the age of your kids and stops you need to take.

The only downside to that camp for me is not being close to a town. I tend to get cabin fever in these camps and I like being able to walk or cycle into town for an escape.

Hi all, we’re looking at booking our pet into one of the pet cabins on the Rosslare to Cherbourg route. We’re wondering though where we can take her on the ship to do her business? She’s totally house trained so won’t go indoors. Is there an outdoor area you can bring the pet?

Booking my travel back from France next summer and have 2 options, either get Irish Ferries at 4.30pm or Stena Horizon at 8.30pm.

While we won't be under huge time pressure to get to Cherbourg, the additional 4 hours will mean we can amble our way up rather than doing a straight, quick run.

AFAIK the WBY is more comfortable than the Stena Horizon, but is it worth compromising on the comfort for the extra 4 hours and easy driving in France? Haven't travelled Stena before - always IF or BF.

Prices are broadly the same, and we live in Wicklow so not much difference whether we arrive into Dublin or Rosslare.

Thanks. It's only from Les Sables d'Olonne and have done the drive a few times before and got the 16:30 Irish Ferries with no issues.

However, not sure the 20:30 Stena Horizon sailing was ever an option previously and it has obvious appeals as you point out.

But happy enough to get to Cherbourg for the WBY if it's a lot more pleasant than the Horizon - especially as it doesn't dock until lunchtime, so lots of hanging around on the ferry the next day.

Basically am looking for a comparison between the two boats - is the loss of comfort worth the trade-off of 4 extra hours to make our way up through France?

I had a grand idea of travelling with wife and the 3 little ones to France without the car, and doing a holiday resort type holiday. Struggling to find options that don't require a car on the other side.

Rosslare preferably

Any ideas? I've used search function!

Sail and rail via Cherbourg and then choose a campsite near a large town with decent rail connection. Then taxi to campsite.

It's 3.5 hours by train from Cherbourg to Paris, and then plenty of fast trains to major cities. Bordeaux, for example, is 8 hours in total from Cherbourg. Perpignan 9.5 hours.

Doable, but a bit of faff depending on ages/tolerance levels of kids.

We did a rail-based holiday around Germany/Netherlands/Belgium last year with our 3 (aged 6 to 12) and it worked well.

@Peckham re your question on WB Yeats vs Stena Horizon, I've been on both and while the Horizon was grand for a recent off-season trip I don't think I'd like it on a busy summer crossing. Having been used to the larger WB Yeats the Horizon felt small to us and the single bar and dining area was quite limited in size and in the range of food/drinks on offer.

All thinks considered and particularly if you have kids with you then I'd definitely suggest WB Yeats over the Horizon unless the price difference is dramatic.

I have a question about transfers from airports to Eurocamp sites.

We are a family of 6 going on a foreign holiday for the first time.

Looking at Eurocamp because that's really our budget.

But I notice many are anything up to 100k from airports many without good public transport links.

We will be flying rather than taking a ferry.

Are there any good sites to compare transfer operators ?

Thanks

Perpignan and B are way out of the budget for flights.

Much more reasonable is La Rochelle.

There is a site there called "Le Village Crosaire des 2 plages" very close to the city.

Has anyone ever been?

Hi all. Over the years I’ve done a few sites in Brittany / Paris where we’ve taken the car and ferry option and more recently ventured down south and flown / hired a car. Has anybody found a campsite that you’d get away without car hire please? Just trying to save a few quid as it seems rather pricey this year! There are 5 of us, 2 older teen girls and a 9 year old boy! Mid July. Thank you!