Mumsnet users share their holiday experiences in France with Brittany Ferries

[EllieMumsnet]

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Travelling by ferry can be a much more hassle free way to go on holiday with the family...as let’s be honest a 20kg per person limit on luggage is almost impossible when you have little ones. Brittany Ferries allows you to both travel by ferry and holiday in France and they would love you to share your top holiday experiences of travelling to France.

Here is what Brittany Ferries have to say “If having young children has put you off taking a holiday abroad, then think again, think family-friendly France. Sailing from Portsmouth, Poole or Plymouth we offer more choice of sailings than anyone else and our on-board service is designed with little ones in mind. What’s more, we can also arrange your holiday accommodation too. Our choice of sail & stay holidays are perfect for young families with a chalet camping holiday offering fun for all with lots to see and do both on and off site. And, as all our holidays include return sailings with your car, booking that all important family holiday is simple too.”

Where did you go in France? What did you enjoy most about your holiday there? How was your family’s experience on the ferry? What are your top tips for packing for a family holiday?

Share your dream destinations and holiday by ferry experiences on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

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[MinnieMousse]

We pack our clothing in those zip-up plastic laundry bags rather than suitcases. They are soft and light so can be packed in the roof box leaving plenty of space in the car for toys, games and swing ball!

The panto on the St Malo crossing is actually a very good standard. My kids enjoy it as much as the one they go to see at the theatre.

[AdventureBegins]

Have sailed on the St Malo and Caen routes quite a few times to visit family. When you have a dog and Christmas presents it's the only way to do it. Love walking around the walled city of St Malo, visiting Rennes or Nantes, a trip to the craft village of La Gacilly and the beautiful coast line.

We always have a ferry bag of special treats and favourite blankets. And like to go on deck when leaving port. Also enjoy a browse of the shops.

[jacqui5366]

One of my favourite quotes about travel is “Travelling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” I therefore want my children to travel as much as they can. For me ferry travel us much more pleasurable than airplane travel. It is less stressful, and the children can walk around and there is so much more to do. Our first ferry journey was to the Isle of Wight. The following year, because we loved the experience, we went to France, and stayed at a Eurocamp. ( La Bien Assise Campsite in Picardy) We visited Normandy, and We travelled by car, and found that the getting on and off the ferry was very organised and not as stressful as i had imagined. My children loved the ferry journey, the on board playroom was fab, I went to the Spa for a massage which was the perfect start to my holiday. My packing tips would be to have a holiday bag and a backpack with the 'ferry things' wet wipes, my tablet, camera, frubes, packs of raisins and the calpol on hand (and of course your passports, and tickets).

[Headfullofdreams]

We love France and have been many times by ferry. It's part of the adventure, much more fun than flying.

We've been to La Baule in Brittany, Paris, Ile de Re, the French alps, Nice. Love it all!

[sarat1]

Haven't gone with my newborn but I do remember travelling as a young child myself.

We went somewhere on the west coat camping at PGL in France. I enjoyed the children's activities and exploring. The ferry was good fun and I remember spending most of the time watching the water from the deck and then when it got too cold, from inside by the window.

When packing, plan carefully ahead as to what is essential and what can bought when there.

[dilydaly]

We went to Southern France (Languedoc Roussillon) and had a lovely time. For the crossing I recommend taking plenty that you know will entertain the little ones, although I found the novelty of travelling via ferry took up a lot of the time. Enjoying the views and exploring the boat etc. For longer crossings I would book a cabin and a night sail and try to get them to sleep through it.
When it comes to packing, I always start with the kids and choose an outfit for each day, from their underwear to any hats/gloves that are needed and then pack them first. I always put extras just in case. Then I pack mine and my husbands clothes and any accessories we need.
What the kids enjoyed most about our holiday was (as usual!) the pool, but for me and my husband, it's always the food!
Thanks :)

[Margomyhero]

I love travelling by ferry as we can load up the car at home and take as much as we like . Much easier than having weight limits and fiddly bags of 100ml bottles of liquids at the airport.

My most memorable holiday was the first time we took the Dc to France. We had a week in northern Brittany. The weather was variable but we all enjoyed the holiday. The driving and ferry crossing takes longer but is more enjoyable.

My tip. Pack light. Choose a campsite/villa with laundry facilities. More space in the car for fun stuff (bringing home wine) .
Pack small bag for the overnight ferry. Pyjamas and toiletries for all- leaving the large luggage in the car.

Must go and book our crossings for summer now..

[voyager50]

I have never been on family holidays to France but but sister went a couple of years ago and took the car and I had to tell her about the rules they have over about having to keep in the car such as reflective jackets and warning triangles as she had no idea she needed them.

[SerenaVanDerWoodsen]

I went on the ferry to France many times as a child, particularly Dover to Calais. It remember it being quite fun and quite exciting (and not too long). Several school trips too which were quite memorable.
I now live further away from the south, so don’t tend to consider the ferry. I do love the south of France as a holiday destination but I’d fly there.

[MummyBtothree]

I have never been on a ferry but would like to one day and take the DC. I've been put off because my brother had a particularly bad experience on a ferry and I can get seasick on a pleasure cruise down a river!

[CopperPan]

I love travelling on ferries - so much more relaxed than flying, and I like being able to see the sea. We've had fantastic beach holidays in the south of France, as well as city breaks in Paris and Lyon.

[ReelingLush18]

Haven't been recently but used to do annual family holidays to France (mostly Brittany) via Brittany Ferries. Love France (particularly the food!).

Overnight the easiest way to cope with a long ferry journey.

Top tip is to pack overnight stuff in a small bag/case so that you don't have to disturb the main holiday suitcases whilst on the ferry.

Would love to ferry it to Bilbao or up to Scandinavia.

[SillyMoomin]

I used Brittany for the first time last year actually, to Western France and was incredibly impressed- I remembered ferries as a child as dirty, cold, depressing things, but this was bright, cheery and welcoming.

We booked a cabin as it was an overnight trip and again, it was perfect, small yes, but clean and efficient and had everything we required.

Would recommend the cabins completely.

[NerrSnerr]

I loved Eurocamp as a child. Long sunny evenings playing with other children on the site, swimming for hours and hot chocolate. Happy memories.

[MakeTeaNotWar]

Love France for family holidays. As others have said, booking a cabin for overnight crossings and then waking up on arrival is just bliss. The kids love the breads and pastries and have even once been cajoled into trying escargot.

[Pillowaddict]

We did a ferry holiday to Brittany when I was a child- I remember having our duvets in the back seat so me and d sis could sleep, we wore our pjs in the car and left so early it was dark, it felt such an adventure! We stayed in a gite and we loved it. I am seriously tempted to do this with my dc this year after reading these family memories and stories of others experiences!

[siucra]

My first holiday abroad was on a Brittany ferry when I was 15. It was possibly the most exciting thing ever as though we had stepped onto France straight away. I remember how sophisticated - and French - everything was, especially the little kiosk selling croissants as we were docking the next morning. These days I am a total Francophile as a result.
That holiday we went to Concarneau and sat OUTSIDE to eat. And ate a SALAD. This was revolutionary, particularly as there was sweet corn in the salad and I ate sweet corn in salads for years afterwards. Much better than the warm tomato and ice berg I was used to. And crepes, made with buckwheat. And the lagoon around Mont St Michel. It makes me happy just thinking about it.
I would love to do a cycling holiday around Brittany with my daughter - there's just the two of us - so feel a little overwhelmed by such an undertaking. But I will get us there!
I love the ferry because it's so excitingm driving on, finding your cabin, waving goodbye to home and bonjour to France.
Packing tips? Three weeks to go, make a meticulous list. One day to go, pack everything you own.

[Treaclespongeandcustard]

We take the overnight ferry to Brittany and book a cabin. We have dinner in the self service restaurant and go to the cinema on board too. Our ferry crossing was enjoyable and it felt like th start of our holiday as soon as we boarded.

I like talking the car on holiday because you can take anything and everything you may need.

My best tip is to leave drinks and snacks in the car for when you disembark at the other side, then you can get straight on with your journey instead of stopping to re-stock.

[TheWizardofWas]

Where to start! All is wonderful. I loved seeing Caen and Bayeux recently, but equally have great memories of the delightful blue of the sea at Nice and pink skies. Paris is impersonal, but still glorious, if you have a bit of money to spare. The South West has delights too - had a most wonderful meal in Bergerac.

[BlueTablecloth]

drove to belgium :-) sorry i have really tried but cannot like france

[danigrace]

Not been on a ferry with little ones but this has made me consider it. Went with DH when we were younger and had fun and enjoyed being up out on deck and shopping. Would love to visit more places in France

[therealposieparker]

\Our last holiday to France was to Hourtin, stunning beaches, good surf and a lovely place to stay. We left it far too late for a Ferry so drove.

Hourtin is the much more beautiful family member to Lacanau.

[peronel]

Top holiday in France was camping at Canet Plage. Beautiful beach and ideal for families with great site facilities.

[openupyourdoor]

Our holiday starts once we park up in the queue to board the Bretagne in Portsmouth! Dump the overnight bags in our cabin then straight to the restaurant for the most AMAZING dinner - the kids just love the buffet starter and pud. We've had many very happy holidays in Brittany - this year we are going further south to a gite in a little village on the Dordogne - cannot wait!

Tips: definitely book a cabin both ways - it's worth getting a commodore for the day as you get loads of space and a free minibar and snacks!

[ifigoup]

Lots! Campsite near Quimper with a water park; La Sirène down south with lots for teenagers; just loads of amazing cheese, moules frites, etc.