France from rosslare to cherbourg

In my opinion it is a much more basic sailing than the Irish ferries sailing.
Less choice of restaurants, open car decks and later arrival time in France have been the main reasons we don't sail with Stenna on that route.

We sailed in Irish ferries on the same day as friends who went on Stenna. We arrived at 11am and drove to south of Poitiers before they were off the ferry. That isn't as big a problem if you have loads of time but we only had three weeks on that occasion and we knew where we wanted to be.

Never travelled Irish Ferries in the camper but we did in our car in 2005 and it was an ordeal (packed in like sardines, couldn't get in or out of the drivers side of the car, front wheel wedged up a ramp etc) and noticed a lot of people bringing their food on board due to the price and quality. I expect it has improved since then.

In August last year we travelled to France on the Stena Horizon and it was fine - basic but fine. The dates and times worked best compared to IF. I would never contemplate travelling without a cabin (many families sleep on the floor or on chairs at the bar) but this was high season.

Food in restaurant was ok for a ferry. My advice is bring your own bottle of wine. We ate fairly late, got up for breakfast fairly late and watched a film in the cinema to pass the time.

This year I priced Irish Ferries and Stena and there was a significant price difference (Euros 400). Stena dates/times suited and so once again we are travelling this route in July. The Horizon was refurbed last year (not significantly). Stena are reknowned in the industry for adapting/extending/modifying ships - there is a car deck up high on one of the open decks. Not sure how this affects the roll and pitch but it was fine in August - I wouldn't fancy it in rough seas!

I've done this trip a few times and concur with the others who have posted. 2 things you may want to consider if you turn your gas off as required it is unlikely that you'll have enough electricity to power your fridge for the journey so ice packs are a good idea. If you arrive on Sunday in France the majority of shops are closed, so plan food for evening.
First time in France beware that on some routes there are under passes with height restrictions.

Irish Ferries from Rosslare have EHU available, first come, first served. The points are in groups of three at various locations along the central bulkhead on deck 3, standard blue outlet.

Frozen 2litre bottles of milk work in the same way as the Capri juice.

We have used all three companies in the past. When we were towing, BF for early arrival, haven't noticed a difference between the other two for times. Last few years we have taken Stena for a couple of reasons. They have 6 berth cabins and if we don't manage to get one, their beds seem bigger which is handy if you have 4 kids! While the food isn't great on any of them, I think it is better on Stena too. Cheaper fares too, especially if you are tied to peak season.

If you are planning on taking the N12 to join in with the N137 it is quite a slow road with not much overtaking. Once you get onto the 137 south of Nantes it is fine.

I could be mixing it up with a different route. Maybe it is because it is shorter between Roscoff and Rennes but takes longer than Cherbourg to Rennes.
I don't go into Roscoff very often and remember a lot of single lane road compared with dual carriageway from Cherbourg port.
Sorry if it was misleading.

The aire at briquebec has a new service point and it's now €5 for water or 1 hour of electricity which is a bit steep as it was free for both in 2015. Neighbouring village has free service point (no electricity) but the setting is not as nice. Good vet in Briquebec for pet passport stamp.

We just go where the weather is.

If you are getting a good forecast for the north half of the country it is every bit as nice as the south in a different way. Use metro.fr for the weather forecast.


I agree with the info about briquebec.
The review was updated last year to reflect the price changes.

Have a great trip we are off on Irish Ferry's for the first time Rosslare to Roscoff
Oscar Wilde! Not sure if I am excited or nervous about it all to be honest!
We only have ten days away unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control! And we are heading south for seven nights!
I think I am mad!

August 10th!

We are going into Roscoff and then heading south for a week and then coming back up to leave from Cherbourg.
Any suggestions of a stop over on the way south to Montpellier and back would be very welcome!?

Mark did you not get away this year?

At least we won't be lonely. We're booked from Rosslare to Roscoff aboard irish ferries for 7th Sept to return on 2nd October. Cabins, Motorhome and us return for £376. Might see you over there jonny.i

Me also, first time in 8 years we're not doing France, she fancied an apartment for 3 weeks in Spain for a change... I may be climbing the walls after the first week...