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Topic: Le Havre - Portsmouth Brittany Ferries

latecamper

23/2/2016 at 11:05am
Location: West Sussex
Outfit: Canvas frame tent &

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We have just booked our return journey this year via Le Havre - Portsmouth. Never used this route before. Our outward is going to be Dover - Dunkirk.

We are starting our holiday mid May and returning mid June.

Does anyone have any useful nuggets of information about the route and ferry. Understand its the economie ferry. We have booked an outside cabin. Any hints about ferry, food, Le Havre (not been there before) pitfalls, etc etc.

Thanks.

Latecamper

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Frogman14

24/2/2016 at 9:30am
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Touring caravan.

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Hi. Le Havre is very big and commercial, depends how long you want to be there as to what to do. The centre is pleasant , and typically there are every kind of shops and eateries. Re the boat, it is economie by name and by nature. The cabins are OK, the bunks large and comfy, (we are outbound in June), the rest is a waste of time, and food quality a disaster. Simple answer is head to yout cabin, shut the door, and open the picnic basket.
These boats are on and off up the stern, with a caravan it is a U turn on the deck , which is generally well organised by the crew, but from the lower deck there are a lot of steep stairs, and the crew are reticent about flagging up the lift, so insist. Cars go up ramps and can be outside on the upper decks.
FM

latecamper

24/2/2016 at 8:17pm
Location: West Sussex
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Thank you for that FM. Useful to know to take a picnic, we can organise that during the day. OH won't like the stairs but presumably you only have to go up and down once. We are just a car with a tent so the loading and unloading shouldn't be a problem. The outside car decks remind me of the Isle of Wight ferry 50 years ago where we were parked right up the front on the ramp and had waves crashing over the bonnet.

Just glad we booked a cabin. Silly question but its a 4 berth and there are 2 of us. They don't put 2 strangers in with you do they??!

(I hope its a silly question!)

Latecamper

Frogman14

25/2/2016 at 9:11am
Location: Lancashire
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Sleeping partners are not provided, you have to find your own. Car only you are normally up the ramps, so no stairs. Cabins are the best bit on these boats, they are larger then the usual, and I find the bunks really comfortable. Cabins have continental plugs if you have a camping kettle.
FM

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latecamper

25/2/2016 at 9:26am
Location: West Sussex
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Quote: Originally posted by Frogman14 on 25/2/2016
Sleeping partners are not provided, you have to find your own.
FM

askill

25/2/2016 at 10:13pm
Location: very near Portsmouth
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Would agree with everything that Frogman14 has said. The cabins were fine and we slept well, we were on the night crossing so we had a delicious meal in Le Havre and then boarded the ferry. One thing I remember was that we weren't issued with our cabin key at the BF check-in, we had to queue on board at the information desk to obtain it. No hassles really. We didn't have breakfast on board as we simply docked and drove home (we live 15 mins from Portsmouth).

bigtoe

25/2/2016 at 10:42pm
Location: Chateau du Wirral
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If you have a few free hours before boarding , if you've not been before just head to Honfleur. It's a beautiful little port twenty minutes from Le Havre. It can be bonkers during peak season but not a problem on your dates. One of the prettiest places we've seen in France. A great place to eat.

-------------
John

May/June.....France
Aug.......somewhere else in France

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latecamper

26/2/2016 at 7:19am
Location: West Sussex
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Thank you all for your responses. I am really looking forward to our little cruise. It will be different.

We will definitely visit Honfleur while we are in the area, more than likely the day before we sail. We plan be in Normandy for over a week at the end of our holiday. Its not an area we have explored much, normally rushing south, so that will be treat too.

Latecamper

Frogman14

26/2/2016 at 11:04am
Location: Lancashire
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A week around Le Havre?? Endless possibilities. Honfleur of course, but on the coast, Etretat, Trouville/Deauville, Villers-sur - mer. Inland, Lisieux, Pont L'Eveque market on a Monday am.. D day stuff no doubt, Bayeux, Ouistreham.
A very pleasant base is Le Brevedent, (the famous/infamous old toilet block is being rebuilt as we speak). Other campsites are available. 👻

askill

26/2/2016 at 10:18pm
Location: very near Portsmouth
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Yes, would certainly recommend all the areas Frogman14 has suggested. We particularly like Pont L'Eveque, such a pretty little place and not so busy as Honfleur. We also found a wonderful 2CV garage whilst we were there, there were several restored 2CVs on their forecourt.

Frogman14

27/2/2016 at 12:16pm
Location: Lancashire
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Quote: Originally posted by askill on 26/2/2016
Yes, would certainly recommend all the areas Frogman14 has suggested. We particularly like Pont L'Eveque, such a pretty little place and not so busy as Honfleur. We also found a wonderful 2CV garage whilst we were there, there were several restored 2CVs on their forecourt.

Don't know if it is the same one,but someone does "safaris" in cv's guided tours round the countryside. You frequently encounter 8 to 10 line astern trundling round the back lanes .I guess there will be some food involved at some point. Know the garage you mean, typically there are up to 20 outside in all sort of condition. I am compelled to look the other way by Mrs FM whenever we drive past, and if I dare to slow down she is on the phone to the divorce lawyer.

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MrDasherD

27/2/2016 at 4:15pm
Location: Exeter
Outfit: If it fits in the 2CV - - - .

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Quote: Originally posted by Frogman14 on 27/2/2016

Quote: Originally posted by askill on 26/2/2016Yes, would certainly recommend all the areas Frogman14 has suggested. We particularly like Pont L'Eveque, such a pretty little place and not so busy as Honfleur. We also found a wonderful 2CV garage whilst we were there, there were several restored 2CVs on their forecourt.

Don't know if it is the same one,but someone does "safaris" in cv's guided tours round the countryside. You frequently encounter 8 to 10 line astern trundling round the back lanes .I guess there will be some food involved at some point. Know the garage you mean, typically there are up to 20 outside in all sort of condition. I am compelled to look the other way by Mrs FM whenever we drive past, and if I dare to slow down she is on the phone to the divorce lawyer.

That'll be these guys then ... and based in Pont l'Eveque so is likely to be the same bunch.

It is also usual at club meetings - not just 2cv but most classic car clubs - for a trip around the countryside 'en convoi' during which the organisers (by using out-riders or sometimes the gendarmerie) are entitled to over-rule traffic lights and prevent other vehicles interrupting the convoy! I have been on several over the years - 2 of which contained well over 100 2cv's.

-------------
Mart
(°\=/°)

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