Ireland to France...Cherbourg or Roscoff?

[cruiser]

We're heading to France in September for a two-week holiday in our Motorhome. We went once before, but met friends in the Loire Valley who guided us around from there, so we didn't have to do much thinking!

This time, we'll be independent....so we're looking for suggestions as to which route is best, and places we might visit. We're not even sure which port to sail into. We're a mature couple, just looking to experience a little of France without excessive driving. (It's a holiday! )

Markets, small historic towns, whatever. We appreciate it's a big country, but hopefully there'll be some tips from people who've done a similar trip. All ideas and advice appreciated, even a general direction to head in! Many thanks in advance. PS: Are Aires still a relatively safe option to campsites?

[Derek Uzzell]

The ferry options are shown here

 

http://www.directferries.co.uk/ferries_from_france_to_ireland.htm

 

Cork is closest to where you live and the Brittany Ferries ship is a big one (beneficial if the weather is rough!)

 

http://www.brittanyferries.ie/ferry-routes/ireland-france-ferries/cork-roscoff

 

so I’d favour the Cork-Roscoff route. (Obviously if the Brittany Ferries fare were massively more expensive than that of the alternative ferry-operators I might well reconsider...)

 

Your holiday will only be for a fortnight and you don’t want to do a great deal of driving, so there is much to be said for arriving at Roscoff as it would give you easy access to the whole of Brittany via its excellent network of dual carriageways. Brittany also has a huge number of ‘aires’ (which will be no less safe now than in the past) and inexpensive campsites. And, if you go south into Morbihan, there’s the potential for good warm weather.

 

Arriving at Cherbourg would allow you access to the Manche peninsula, the D-Day beaches to the east and cities like Bayeux and Caen, but the weather is likely to be inferior to that of south Brittany.

 

Borrow some travel books; use the internet

 

https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=brittany+historic+towns

 

https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=brittany+french+markets

 

https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=normandy+historic+towns

 

https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=normandy+french+markets

 

 

You’ve got plenty of time to make plans and only you know what REALLY interests you.

 

 

 

[Ninian]

Hi, We go to Cherbourg every year as it's handy if you wish to head east. Also the roads south are very good. Enjoy your trip.

[StuartO]

cruiser - 2016-03-05 10:58 AMWe're heading to France in September for a two-week holiday  Are Aires still a relatively safe option to campsites?

 

Short answer, yes.  They vary from large and busy, often scruffy gravel areas (eg Honfleur, none the less handy for an attractive town) to quiet, sometimes tiny and often beautifully kept village parking areas, often in a pretty spot.  Only those along main transit routes and near key coastal sights are likely to be busy in September.   Buy "All the Aires" for painless info in English, with pictures and GPS coordinates and then take your pick.

 

[PJay]

Ninian - 2016-03-11 5:01 PM

 

Hi, We go to Cherbourg every year as it's handy if you wish to head east. Also the roads south are very good. Enjoy your trip.

 

Can second this. Cherbourg is a great port to go to, (no immigrants , YET) Good no paying roads as well

Also a very nice town,to site see in. The Cite de la Mer being one of them, plus plenty of parking around the marina area

PJay

[cruiser]

Thanks, team ! All replies greatly appreciated, advice taken on board.(excuse the pun)