Dunkerque is the northernmost French ferry port, only six miles from the border of Belgium. The third largest harbour in France, Dunkerque is popular with surfers, windsurfers and kayakers. Less touristy than some of the other French ports, Dunkerque is mostly industrial, producing a substantial portion of France’s oil and steel products.

South of Dunkerque is the port of Calais. Calais is one of the oldest and most popular ports for ferries to France via the English Channel. Only one hour and fifteen minutes from the port of Dover, Calais is also the closest port to the U.K. Like most of the towns on France’s west coast, partially demolished and restored medieval buildings and permanent reminders of World War II abound. Calais is also a gateway to many small and fascinating French towns.

Another popular and well-established ferry port in France is Boulogne. Also reputed to be the largest fishing seaport in France, Boulogne has a great selection of seafood restaurants to choose from. Preserved and renovated, Boulogne’s old walled medieval town contains churches, museums, palaces and restaurants just waiting to be explored. Outside the fortressed town, the Nausicaa Aquariium hosts a wide variety of marine exhibitions and activities to educate and entertain visitors of all ages. For those who prefer to just lounge in the sun, there are miles of long wide sandy beaches.

Once a popular seaside resort, Dieppe is one of the more attractive ports accessible by ferry. Less industrial than some of the other coastal towns in France, Dieppe is known for its delicious scallops and a great Saturday morning market. High chalk cliffs and pebbly beaches enhance the appeal of this small medieval town.

Further south along the coast is the city of Le Havre, which sustained the heaviest damage of any port in Europe during World War II. Reinforced concrete was the primary material used in Le Havre’s restoration, which occurred from 1946 to 1964. Architect Auguste Perret single-handedly planned and organized this colossal task, which resulted in a fascinating and visually compelling mixture of medieval architecture and thoroughly modern structural design that is internationally renowned.

Another interesting place to visit if you’re traveling by ferry to France is Cherbourg. The largest aquarium in Europe, containing 500,000 liters of seawater, can be found at La Cite de la Mer in Cherbourg. One can also visit Le Redoutable, which is the very first French nuclear submarine and also the largest submarine in the world that can be visited by sightseers. Cherbourg is also the home of a luxury umbrella factory, and those fortunate enough might catch a glimpse of them being wind-tested at nearby beaches.

Popular for both day trips and longer holidays, St. Malo can be found further south. Once legendary for corsair, pirates and privateers, St. Malo is now known for its great beaches and resorts. Those planning to visit St. Malo during the summer must be sure to make hotel reservations way in advance.

If war-struck and restored medieval churches and palaces, World War II relics and memorabilia, and aquariums are a bit overwhelming, then Roscoff might be just the place to go. As the southernmost and quietest ferry port on the French coast, Roscoff is best known for quiet nature walks and relaxation. Most of the harbor traffic consists of boats for fishing and for seaweed harvesting. As with most of the French coastal towns, restaurants in Roscoff are known for their seafood. Roscoff has sometimes been called “The Seaweed Capital of the World”. This is because of the massive amount of seaweed harvested in Roscoff and the numerous and diverse uses the inhabitants have discovered for it.

The great selection, availability and affordability of ferries to France ensure that surfers, scientists, beach bums, historians, and seafood gourmets will never lack places to explore and enjoy on the other side of the English Channel.

Just twenty miles from Dover is the French port of Calais and the Dover Calais ferry route lets you choose from a load of sailings each and everyday. So you can pretty much leave and return whenever you want. To get the lowest fares you should book early.

With a crossing time of around an hour and  a half, the Dover to Calais ferry is the easiest, most convenient and cheapest way to get from southern England to Northern France. Because England and France have fantastic motorway systems, once you get to Calais you could easily explore other French regions and maybe even Holland, Belgium and Germany to your hearts content.

The channel ferry route- from Dover to Calais leaves from the Eastern Docks in Dover. The docks have convenient connections with bus,rail and road transport.

Remember that you need to arrive early to be able to check in. Cars and vans need to check in half an hour before departure, for foot passengers it’s three quarters of an hour.

Directions to DoverPort

How to get there- set your satnav to CT16 1JA:

The official address of Dover docks is -

Travel Centre, EasternDocks, Dover

Kent CT16 1JA

If you are travelling in a car then the Dover ferry terminal is about one mile from the Centre of  Dover. You can easily get to it from the M20 and fromthe M2.
On the approaches to Dover, just make sure that you lookout for signs to ‘DoverFerry Terminal’ – they are clearly marked. Once you enter Doverport itself, look for the signs regarding vehicles and reservations and simply join the appropriate queue.
If you want to leave your car at Dover ferryport then there is plenty of short-stay and long-stay parking available at the entrance to Doverport. Charges can vary so try to check before you get there.

If you want to travel by train then the nearest main train station is the Dover Priory station which is approximately three kilometers from Doverport. Travel time from London is around two hours and you can catch trains from mainline stations London Victoria and Charing Cross.
There is a frequent bus service operating from the train station to the port  and its very reasonably priced.

If you are travelling by coach – there is a frequent, convenient service for both arrivals and departures operated by National Express. If you take the coach from London Victoria it will take you about two and a half hours to get to Doverport.

Channel Crossing for all the family.

Whether you’re a family looking to keep the kids entertained, or a couple hoping to enjoya relaxing break, you’ll find a day trip to France offers somethingfor everyone.

A channel cruise from Dover to Calais is the perfect way to enjoy a cheap day trip to France. Whether you’re planning a quick booze cruise to stock up on all those grocery and alcohol bargains, or are in the process of renovating a property, Calais is the perfect placeto save money. With several large Hypermarkets and DIY stores, you’ll find many items at significantly cheaper prices than the UK.

Around Calais

If you fancy going slightly further afield, the Nord-Pas de Calais region has plenty to offer. Recommended placesto visit include:
Boulogne-sur-Mer

Why not try Northern France’s most popular tourist attraction, Nausicaä – France’s National Sea discovery Centre in Boulogne-sur-Mer, approximately 30 minutes drive from Calais. We recommend a stroll around the architectural beauty of Boulogne’s old ramparts, before sampling the local cuisine in one of the town’s great cafes or restaurants.

LeTouquet

Less than an hour’s drive from Calais, Le Touquet’s miles of sandy golden beaches are best visited during the summer months, with virtually every conceivable outdoor activitycatered for. The more adventurous can experience the thrill of sand yachting on one of the longest beaches in Northern France, whilst the town’s bespoke boutiques and gastronomic cuisine make it ideal for couples wishing to relax – you’ll discover why it’s known as ‘Paris by the Sea’!

St. Omer

The Flemish town of Saint-Omer stands on a hillside on the edge of the River Aa marshes, less than 30 miles from Calais. The large square in the town holds a weekly market on Saturday mornings, selling fresh local produce from the farms on the marshes. A branch of the river runs through the lowerpart of the town and a boat trip is an ideal way of seeing the 13th Century Abbey, houses and remarkable open countryside.

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