The ferry operator Brittany Ferries was founded in 1972, mainly for the transportation of cauliflowers and artichokes from Roscoff (France) to Plymouth. Over the years it has grown into the leading maritime carrier on the Western and Central Channel.

When Great Britain joined the Common Market, the local farming co-operatives joined with the North Finistère Chamber of Commerce to form Brittany Ferries. It was recognised at the time that the UK represented a huge market for both the strong Breton farming community and Brittany as a tourist destination. In other words, Brittany Ferries could ship fresh produce north and bring tourists south.

The French farming co-operatives are still the majority shareholders and the French State has no financial stake.

In 1978, almost 10 years after its foundation the fast-developing ferry company took the bold step of starting services to Santander in Northern Spain. At the same time they entered the Irish market as well with the Cork -Roscoff route. Both services have grown steadily and continue to do so today.

As Brittany Ferries has matured, so has its significance to tourism in Western France and Northern Spain, with its influence reaching far beyond simply Brittany and Normandy.

Today, Brittany Ferries has one of the most modern fleets on the Channel, with 8 ships and over 2,500 employees. They carry over 2.6 million passengers, 780,000 cars and 170,000 lorries a year.

Brittany Ferries are proud to have been voted Best Cross Channel Operator 2001 by readers of the Daily Telegraph.

Poole - Cherbourg, Catamaran Normandie Vitesse
The high speed catamaran Normandie Vitesse provides currently the fastest ferry service to Cherbourg from the UK. The service operates between mid-May and mid-September. Crossing time is approx. 2 hours 15 min. This daily services leaves Poole at 07.30 and returns from Cherbourg at 11.30.

Poole - Cherbourg, Ferry Barfleur
The ferry Barfleur is significantly smaller than the rest of the standard ferry fleet but still offers excellent onboard facilities. Crossing time is approx 4.5 hrs (day) and 6.5 hrs (overnight crossing). This service operates three times daily all year round between Poole and Cherbourg, except on Mondays. On Monday there are just two sailings.

Portsmouth - Cherbourg/Caen, Ferry Normandie Express
This high speed vessel sails between Cherbourg/Caen and Portsmouth. It can take up to 350 passengers and 235 cars. The service operates from March to November. The crossing time to Cherbourg is approx. 3 hours to and to Caen 3 hours 45 minutes. The fast ferry service departs twice a day for Cherbourg and once a day for Caen every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in addition to the standard daily cruise ferry services.

Portsmouth - St Malo, Ferry Bretagne
The ferry Bretagne has excellent onboard facilities including a cinema, children's entertainment and several bars and restaurants to ensure your crossing is an enjoyable and relaxing one. The ferry can accommodate up to 2000 passengers. Crossing time approx. is 10 hours 45 min. The Bretagne sails once a day between Portsmouth and St Malo.

Portsmouth - Caen, Ferry Normandie
Named after the French region of the same name, this ferry was built for the route between Portsmouth and Caen. Onboard facilities are excellent, so you can relax and enjoy the cross channel sailing. There are daily departures all the year round. Crossing time is approx. 5 hrs 45 minutes (daytime crossing) and 7 hrs (overnight crossing).

Portsmouth - Caen, Ferry Mont St Michel
This ferry was built in 2002. It offers passengers a wide range of excellent facilities including luxious cabins, restaurants, bars, cinema's, an Internet cafe and a disco club. There are daily departures all the year round. Crossing time is approx. 5 hours 45 min. (daytime crossing) and 7 hrs (overnight crossing).

Plymouth - Roscoff, Ferry Pont L'Abbé
This modern and comfortable cruise ferry joined the Brittany Ferries fleet in March 2006. It is one of the newest Brittany Ferries ships. It can accommodate up to 410 cars and 1,200 passengers. This ferry service operates between mid-May and mid-November with up to three crossings per day in both directions. Crossing time approx is 6 hrs (daytime crossing) and 8 hrs (overnight crossing).

Plymouth - Santander/Roscoff/Cork, Ferry Pont-Aven
The luxury modern cruise ferry Pont-Aven is the flagship of the Brittany Ferries fleet. Onboard facilities include a swimming pool and leisure area, promenade deck, accommodation, bars, restaurants and more. The average crossing time to Santander is approx 20.5 hours, 13 hours between Roscoff and Cork and 6 hours between Plymouth and Roscoff.

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