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

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[profpoopsnagle]

We've been to a few places in France- Dordogne, Vendee, Normandy. This year, we're going to Burgundy, the Massif central and the Loire Valley and we still haven't covered half of it! Loads left for the years ahead. We always get the ferry from Portsmouth as it helps with cutting the road travel down. As soon as you are in the queue for the ferry, after booking in, it feels as if your holiday has begun, you can relax one night earlier. I also like that you can 'feel' how far and near different countries are away, sometimes travelling by plane can distort that. We have always found the ferry to be comfortable and good value, considering we travel as a family of 5 and can take our car and trailer tent with us. My top tip for packing, is to have just an overnight bag with you to grab from the car- everything else, bedding, towels etc is provided in the cabin. Pj's, fav teddies, a book or pack of cards.

[Hairydilemma]

I love sailing overnight, everything down to being woken up by a bell.

My top tip is to have just the one drink so you sway in time with the boat! - makes for a much better crossing in rough weather .

[ImperfectTents]

@northender omg the alarm is horrendous. I love sailing to and from Roscoff. It is a lovely wee town and it feels like your holiday begins the minute you get off the boat and it's a nice place to hang out in waiting for the return boat.

[Mrscog]

When I was on the Portsmouth-Caen sailing we were woken up by classical music - it was lovely!

[daniel1996]

We went from Portsmouth to Cherbourg in 2016, we chose a ferry because we wanted a change from flying and for my DC to experience this form of transport. For 3 hours we were able to look around the ship, stretch our legs and experience the wind on our faces. We picnicked in Parc Emmanuel Liais, tried some French pastries, food and wine. Our dream destination by ferry would be Barfleur.

[MiddleClassProblem]

We used to go to the South of France. Ferry Dover to Calais then the sleeper train down from Paris. We’d go for a few weeks. Loved it. I used to work in an overnight ferry too and have fond memories. I think it’s a special way to travel as you have the freedom to move about and different places to explore. Brilliant for kids that might be cooped up in a car for a long drive.

My only tip is to see the journey as part of the holiday and maybe check your route for good places to stop along the way rather so you aren’t just looking for any old place to stretch your legs or a loo/food stop.

[TeenTimesTwo]

For a ferry, book a cabin even if travelling in the day. It gives you somewhere to dump your stuff and for little ones to watch a DVD in peace and quiet.

Best place I've stayed was a night on Mont St Michel. For my DDs it was like staying in fairy tale castle and in the evening / morning it was less busy too.

[dannydog1]

Camping with the children in the Dordogne. Hiring bikes and exploring the countryside, through fields of sunflowers. Canoeing on the river. Having the take away meal on the campsite- fabulous French meals -nothing like our takeaways.

[popsocks]

We have only been once, from Dover to Calais and back again.
We were looking online one friday evening and saw a really cheap deal for a return crossing leaving in the early hours of that night.
We thought, why not, we have never been to France. So we packed up a bag and loaded us and our 2 small children into the car. They slept all the way to Dover and we had to wake them to go on board the ferry.
They loved it, by the time we had bought a drink and explored the ferry, looked outside (very quickly, as was dark), then spent the remaining time in the childrens play area, we were there!
We loaded the children back into the car and went to find somewhere for breakfast.
Then did a bit of shopping, macdonalds for lunch, spent the afternoon on the beach playing with the children whilst my husband slept, tired from driving through the night. Then had tea in a lovely cafe near the beach, loaded the children back in and headed back to the port.
The children spent the crossing in the play area again and once back in Dover, i then drove us all home.
It was a lovely unplanned last minute outing. I would love to do it again, but for longer and explore different areas of France.

[TellMeItsNotTrue]

Top tip for packing for family is normally to put clothes for each person in each case, don't have a case per person as if one goes missing you're screwed. This won't be an issue for ferry holidays though

My other tip is sort of 2 parter - be realistic, are you really going to dress for dinner every night / wear 3 swimming costumes etc? When you get back from a holiday make a note of what has been used and leave it in the case so that next time you know what to pack meaning you don't forget anything and you don't take loads of stuff you won't use

[Youllneverweealone]

Agree with all the overnight ferry (with a cabin) suggestions. You can get an early start in France, have lunch somewhere nice and have time to get quite a long way south.

We always book a cabin for daytime crossings too. Nice to have a space to dump stuff, for kids to chill out and to hang out with youngest who suffers from travel sickness.

We love finding smaller campsites where kids can have freedom but we can track them down easily, often look on Google maps and spot them on there.

[maryandbuzz1]

We travelled from Portsmouth to Cherbourg and made the ferry crossing part of our holiday. Having a cabin even if it’s a daytime crossing enables us all to relax knowing there is some private space where our son can sleep or play in peace.
Using our own car meant we could take everything we needed without having to skimp on clothes and toys and I believe this meant our son was happier and more relaxed about the whole journey.

[Dixiestampsagain]

For the last few years we have had some lovely beach holidays in Brittany. The beaches are not too crowded, the sand is gorgeous, the campsites are plentiful and child friendly and the weather has been kind!
We travel from a Plymouth to Roscoff on Brittany Ferries and go on the overnight crossing so we can rest (we book a cabin). Although it was a little pricey, we went to the onboard cinema last time which was a great idea as it detracted from the point in the crossing which was a bit ‘bumpy’!

[scaredofthecity]

We went to mortain in Normandy and got the Portsmouth to Caen ferry in November I was really impressed with the whole experience. We did the day crossings, the worst bit was the very early start, but apart from that it was great. There was lots for my DS to do, with the soft play, colouring and entertainment on board. I was dreading it, 6 hours is a long time! But it was really ok. I was very impressed with the food on offer, it was fairly priced and very tasty, and the ability to use contactless to pay made it very easy.
I would have preferred to have got a cabin, but I suffer from seasickness and there were none with windows left.
I love going to Normandy, I find it very relaxing and is a home away from home. The food is great and there is so much to do to keep us busy. We normally get the shuttle, but I would definitely use the long ferry again if the price was right.

[like7]

We have done Brittany ferries to France many times. I think that they are a good company to go with. We found it great fun - quite relaxing once you've left your car behind and are on the ferry. We went to Brittany, Loire Valley and the Vendee. The kids liked the kids activities on the ferry, the restaurants were good because they had decent french food. We have sunbathed on the deck sometimes when the weather was right. The kids thought it was a real adventure when bedding down for the night in the cosy cabins with your own bathroom. We also had day cabins on the way back - great if only to have somewhere to dump your stuff! We always stayed on lovely campsites, with luxury tents, which were great for the children with lots of activities and a pool and in lovely places.

[little0miss0mac]

If you're travelling overnight, bring your own pillow! (Easier said than done but if you're camping you'll have something in your boot anyway!).
Also, I don't know how you avoid your cabin being anywhere near the engine room for an overnight trip... but do if you can. Zero sleep with the thrum thrum thrum all night.
Apart from that, our Portsmouth-Caen route felt much more relaxed and fun than a trip through the tunnel, and with a shorter drive on the French side.

[Worldsworstcook]

I love Brittany ferries! We have sailed with them so many times I've lost count - and now they've got the Cork to Santander sailing !!! YAY !!

Brittany ferries are the best, my dog can come with us in the cabin, the good is excellent and very reasonable, the staff are all lovely and rooms very very clean.

Tips, pack an extra bag just for the sailing but don't stress if you forget something cause the onboard shops are brilliant! Take comfort in their wonderful crew, DH took sick and fainted into a poor ladies dinner and the medical care from the onboard medic was faultless, they even gave him sandwiches and tea in our cabin!

Above all, the number one tip is simply to relax and enjoy the crossing, to remember that the crossing is not a gateway to your holiday but an enjoyable part of it. Don't dismiss the hours spent on board!

Then once in France, always head to a large supermarket like Intermarche or SuperU and use their spacious car parks to gather yourself and stock up on drinks and fuel before setting off to your holiday destination. The beauty of France is all around you.. Don't forget to recognise it while you're zooming all the motorways to your holiday destination.

[Fletch80]

We went to the Ardeche as part of a PGL holiday, it was incredible. None of us had used a canoe before but we were soon paddling along the gorge like experts, the scenery was just stunning.
My other favourite place in France is Nice, the flower market there is fabulous. Travel by ferry with your car and you haven't got to worry about airline weight restrictions so can buy lots of beautiful soaps and linens.

If you are driving in France they have some rules about what you must carry in your car at all times, the police can fine you if they do a spot check. Things like spare bulbs and a hazard warning triangle etc.

[TheKnackeredChef]

Travelling by ferry with the DCs was great. We booked a cabin both ways which gave us the freedom to chill out in our own space and get some sleep if we wanted to. Unfortunately the 'holiday' was a trip to visit the dreaded in-laws, but at least the journey wasn't stressful!

[manfalou]

We love the overnight sailings... its an extra bit of adventure to the holiday! The kids love it and get excited to be sleeping on a boat too. We always pack what we need just for that overnight stay in a small bag.. hand luggage type ... so we don't need to open big cases. makes it so much easier

[colleenw]

Sitting out on deck at night - I love the sound of the sea and the glow of the stars on a clear night.

[thesoupdragon44]

We sailed fast cat from Portsmouth and were a little apprehensive as the forecast was bad. I think the fact the staff were worried meant it was pretty rough and I was relieved when we got to France in the short 3/4 hour trip. The ship was lovely clean and roomy, and we set off in the comfort of our car for our fun family holiday. The weather like the UK was damp, and on return to the ferry port we were not looking forward to the return trip. It couldn't have been more different. Bright sunshine greeted us, calm seas and great views of the coast as we left. We say cruise ships as we returned to the uk, and the ferry port was a quick and easy drive home. I would certainly look at traveling across the water from Portsmouth again, and would just hope that the weather would be a little kinder to us next time.

[dottyaboutstripes]

We absolutely love France and go most years. Top tip would be to make sure there's room in the car for a spree in the supermarket just before returning for your wine, surprisingly good supermarket clothing finds, bakery treats, cheeses etc!

[Doubtfuldaphne]

We went to France with Brittany ferries two years ago and my dd says it was the best holiday she ever had, she said the ferry was the best part of the holiday!!
We got off at Roscoff, after spending a really cosy night in our cabin which was a novelty. I loved the food options on the ferry and the entertainment. The holiday began as soon as we boarded the ferry! From Roscoff we drove for about an hour or two to a little village in Brittany with lots of beautiful beaches and our gite which was on a farm. It was so lovely. The children loved running around in the fields and watching the farmer picking hundreds of marrows every morning. We went on beach walks and cooked lovely meals and ate outside in the garden. I loved that we had a gite, everything we needed was there.
France now holds and very special place in my heart.
For packing, well it’s easy if you go on the ferry - you can pile it all in the car! You don’t have to worry about weight limits on your suitcase
The next holiday will be on the ferry to Santander. I can’t wait!

[AdaColeman]

I've travelled frequently to France, usually to Caen wit Brittany Ferries. The boarding arrangements are slick and professional, the ships comfortable with pleasant restaurants, and we always get a cabin, so get a good rest after our road journey.

It's difficult to pick one French destination as the best, as I've enjoyed them all in different ways, but holidays in Pornic and in Perros Guirec stand outs good family destinations, and I love Tours also.

Packing tips are to take a small overnight bag for the cabin. For myself I always take colour coordinated clothes on holiday, often black and cream, then everything goes with everything else!
Oh yes, don't forget your Kindle!

Bon voyage et bonnes vacances!