It is a mode of transport often forgotten in the face of the train and the plane.
However, from Ireland to Morocco via Corsica and the Balearic Islands, the ferry serves
seven countries from French ports such
as Cherbourg, Marseille or Nice.
No doubt he can be blamed for being slow.
Certainly, but it is to better suit travelers who want to take their time, as well as those who wish to reach their destination with their car, motorcycle or bicycle.
If some crossings are made during the day in a few hours, in particular between France and England, others require a night, or even more.
Simple armchair, private cabin or suite with a view... On board, everything is done to feel like a hotel, with categories of comfort within reach of all budgets.
To make the journey more enjoyable, some ships have a spa, swimming pool, cinema, video game area or kennel.
Like a cruising air...
Le Figaro
has compiled the list of regular maritime connections from mainland France based on data from the Directferries ferry trip comparator.
The example prices shown are based on simulations for a one-way trip for one or two people without a car in the cheapest cabin, excluding promotions.
Prices are subject to change depending on the date of travel and the cabin category chosen (with view, suite, family cabin, etc.).
Read the fileCruises: travel guide, information and advice from Le Figaro
The United Kingdom
A P&O Ferries ship crossing the 'Channel' between Calais and Dover.
Image'in - stock.adobe.com
An hour and a half is the time it takes to reach Calais from the port of Dover, in the south of England, via the Strait of Pas de Calais (31 km).
Longer, but probably much more pleasant than through the Channel Tunnel.
The axis is particularly well served with around fifty daily crossings operated by P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries.
Note that only P&O Ferries offers crossings for pedestrians.
From Dover, it takes two hours to reach London by motorway.
Unless you prefer to treat yourself to an iodized getaway on the Kent coast...
Crossings between France and England are also offered from Normandy (Le Havre, Cherbourg...) and Brittany (Saint-Malo, Roscoff...)
What are the lines?
Calais-Dover with P&O Ferries (23/day), DFDS (14/day) and Irish Ferries (4/day)
Dunkirk-Dover with DFDS (12/day)
Roscoff-Plymouth with Brittany Ferries (7/week)
Dieppe-Newhaven with DFDS (3/day)
Caen-Portsmouth with Brittany Ferries (3/day)
Saint-Malo-Poole with Condor (3/week)
Cherbourg-Poole with Brittany Ferries (10/week)
Cherbourg-Portsmouth with Brittany Ferries (5/week)
Price example:
from €85 for the Calais-Dover crossing for four passengers and a car with P&O Ferries.
Read alsoArundel, Leeds, Windsor… Ten majestic castles to see in the south-east of England
Ireland
Dublin is connected to Cherbourg in 19 hours with Irish Ferries.
Something Irish - stock.adobe.com
Three Irish ports are connected by ferry from Cherbourg and Roscoff: Cork, to the south-west;
Rosslare, at the southeastern tip;
and the capital Dublin, on the east coast of the island.
Count between 12 hours (between Roscoff and Rosslare) and 19 hours (between Cherbourg and Dublin) for the crossing.
What are the lines?
Cherbourg-Rosslare with Brittany Ferries (1/week) and Stena Line (3/week)
Cherbourg-Dublin with Irish Ferries (4/week)
Roscoff-Cork with Brittany Ferries (2/week)
Roscoff-Rosslare with Brittany Ferries (1/week)
Example of price:
from €162 for the Cherbourg-Dublin crossing for one person in a private cabin with Irish Ferries (€235 for two people).
Read alsoDublin travel diary, in the footsteps of James Joyce
Mallorca and Menorca in the Balearic Islands
Cap de Formentor is located about thirty kilometers from the port of Alcúdia, in the north of the island of Majorca.
Jenny Sturm - stock.adobe.com
From Toulon, the crossing to the islands of Mallorca and Menorca, in the Spanish Balearic archipelago, is done at night aboard a Mega Express ship from Corsica Ferries.
It takes 11 hours to travel to Alcúdia (Majorca) and 14.5 hours to Ciutadella (Menorca).
Are you hesitating between one or the other of these islands?
Make your choice by reading our guide to the Balearic archipelago.
What are the lines?
Toulon-Alcudia (Majorca) with Corsica Ferries (3/week), from April 2,
Toulon-Ciutadella (Menorca) with Corsica Ferries (1/week), from April 2.
Example of price:
from €87 for the Toulon-Alcúdia crossing for one person in a private cabin (€107 for two people).
Read alsoBalearic islands, which island to choose for your stay?
Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca... Our map and our travel advice
Corsica
Corsica is particularly well served from the mainland and the ports of Marseille, Nice and Toulon.
While some daytime crossings are completed in just six hours thanks to Corsica Ferries' Mega Express vessels, it takes between 10 and 12 hours for a night crossing.
In addition to the two main ports, Ajaccio and Bastia, landings also take place at Île Rousse and Porto Vecchio.
The main company serving the Isle of Beauty, Corsica Ferries, provides up to 30 crossings per day in the summer season.
What are the lines?
From
Marseille
: Ajaccio with La Méridionale (4/week) and Corsica Linea (3/week)Bastia with Corsica Linea (7/week) and La Méridionale (3/week)Île Rousse with Corsica Linea (4/week)Porto Vecchio with Corsica Linea (3/week) and La Méridionale (3/week)Propriano with La Méridionale (3/week)
From
Nice
:Bastia with Corsica Ferries (6/week)Île-Rousse with Corsica Ferries (3/week)Porto Vecchio with Corsica Ferries (1/week)
From
Toulon
: Ajaccio with Corsica Ferries (13/week) Bastia with Corsica Ferries (7/week) Ile Rousse with Corsica Ferries (6/week) Porto Vecchio with Corsica Ferries (3/week)
Example of price:
from €86 for the Toulon-Ajaccio crossing for one person in a private cabin with Corsica Ferries (€108 for two people).
Read the fileCorsica: the
Figaro travel guide
Sardinia
The medieval town of Castelsardo, about thirty kilometers from the port of Porto Torres, in northern Sardinia.
Balate Dorin - stock.adobe.com
Separated from Corsica by only 12 km, Sardinia is accessible by ferry from Nice, Toulon and Marseille.
Ships dock either at Porto Torres, to the northwest of the island, or at Golfe d'Aranci, to the northeast.
From Nice and Toulon, count ten hours of crossing to the Italian island, the largest island in the Mediterranean, which is full of beautiful beaches and beautiful restaurants.
What are the lines?
From
Nice
: Porto Torres (2/week) and Gulf of Aranci (1/week) with Corsica Ferries
From
Toulon
: Porto Torres (2/week) and Gulf of Aranci (1/week) with Corsica Ferries
From
Marseille
: Porto Torres with La Méridionale (1/week).
Example of price:
from €79 for the Toulon-Porto Torres crossing for one person in a private cabin with Corsica Ferries (€97 for two people).
Read alsoIn Sardinia, five confidential beaches on the Maddalena archipelago
The Morocco
Tangier (here Cap Spartel) is connected to Marseille and Sète by sea. pszabo - stock.adobe.com
It takes just under 40 hours to cover the 1100 km that separate Sète from Tangier.
The most cosmopolitan of Moroccan cities, located in the Strait of Gibraltar, is both open to Europe and Africa, to the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
It offers an ideal starting point for the discovery of Morocco and its imperial cities such as Fez or Marrakech.
From here, Casablanca can be reached in two hours thanks to the new TGV, Al Boraq.
What are the lines?
Sète-Tangier with CNG (2/week)
Sète-Nador with Balearia and GNV (2/week)
Marseille-Tangier with La Méridionale (3/week)
Example of price:
from €174 for the Sète-Tangier crossing for one person in an interior cabin with CNG (€248 for two people).
Read alsoTravel to Morocco and Covid-19: test, vaccination pass... The conditions for getting there in 2022
Algeria
View of the port and the bay of Algiers from the Casbah.
From France, the Algerian capital is only served from Marseille.
Eric Martin / Le Figaro Magazine
Marseille is the only French port to offer crossings to Algeria.
Currently, only the capital Algiers is served.
The companies Corsica Linea and Algérie Ferries ensure the connection in approximately 21 hours.
What are the lines?
Marseille-Algiers with Corsica Linea (3/week) and Algérie Ferries (2/week)
Example of price:
from €235 for the Marseille-Algiers crossing for one person in a private cabin with Corsica Linea.
Read alsoReturn to Algiers
Tunisia
The village of Sidi Bou Said, a few kilometers from the capital Tunis.
Korkmaz engine - stock.adobe.com
There is only one sea link between France and Tunisia.
From Marseille, Corsica Linea and CTN Ferries offer crossings to Tunis in 22 hours.
Once disembarked, taste some Tunisian street food dishes and set off to discover the fragrant souks and archaeological remains.
What are the lines?
Marseille-Tunis with Corsica Linea (3/week) and CTN Ferries (6/week)
Example of price:
from €185 for the Marseille-Tunis crossing for one person in a private cabin with CTN Ferries (€309 for two people).
See also48 hours in Tunis, from fragrant souks to archaeological remains
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