Sailing is the number one sport among Bretons, which is no surprise considering the pristine location, the nature of the beaches and the windy weather.

So as spring approaches, many hobby sailors might want to turn their heads towards Brittany on the west coast of France. Generally a hotspot for all kinds of water sports, sailing is particularly enjoyable thanks to the wide-ranging infrastructure in the area.

There are more than 100 sailing schools and boat hiring centres, where even newbies can dip their toe in and try their hand at this fantastic sport. The main sailing centres are called Bretagne Stations Nautiques and are located in, among other places, Saint-Malo, Perros-Guirec and Pays de Lorient. There, visitors can engage in a wide range of activities, such as group trips and catamaraning.

The city of Brest is a good starting point for any stay in Brittany and is also a very popular spot for wind surfers.

To get to Brittany, you can get a ferry from Dover to Calais with your car and drive along the coast – granted, it will take you about five hours, but it will be one of the more scenic drives you’ll have this year!

Image credit: .tungl

Tags: France by Matthias Scherer
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P&O Ferries has announced that it will be taking delivery of the hotly anticipated state-of-the-art new ship Spirit of France.

The Spirit of France will be officially handed over to P&O Ferries on Tuesday 24th January at the STX Europe shipyard in Rauma, Finland. It will then begin the long 1400 mile journey across the North Sea to Dover, where it is scheduled to arrive on Saturday 28th January.

Under the command of the senior master Captain Steve Johnson the Spirit of France will join up with its sisiter ship The Spirit of Britain. The two ships combined represent a step change in the level of service and capacity offered to cross channel ferry passengers.

At more than 43,000 tons and 213 metres in length, they are not only the largest ferries ever to work the Dover – Calais route but also the most technologically advanced.

When the Spirit of France and Spirit of Britain begin working together it will represent the realisation of the largest ever inward investment made by P&O Ferries into its shipping fleet, at a combined cost of €360 million.

The Dover – Calais route is officially the busiest shipping channel in the world with over 500 ships per day passing through its waters. The combined capacity of these two ships alone will amount to a staggering 3750 passengers between them.

After the demise of P&O Ferries’ cross-channel rival, SeaFrance, the arrival of Spirit of France represents a welcome boost for the Dover to Calais route as P&O Ferries continues to bolster the capacity of this vital link between Britain and mainland Europe.

Tags: France, P&O Ferries by John Hillman
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It may be quite a long way down to the Chapiteau de Fontvieille with a P&O Ferry dropping you off at the northerly port of Calais. In fact, you will have to then span the entire country to get down to Monaco. But the Annual Festival international du Cirque de Monte-Carlo is never a thing to miss so why not take a cultural tour through France? Timing is going to be key though – the 36th Monte-Carlo Circus Festival runs from the 19th-29th of January so you’ll have to start preparations soon.

This event is not one to miss, as the original Festival international du Cirque was the first true international circus festival in the western world. This show promises to showcase only the very best the circus community has to offer. It was traditionally presided over by the crown-prince of the Royal Family of Monaco. Since his death Princess Stéphanie now attends the Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo.

At the original event, Prince Rainier stated “This International Circus Festival was created thinking of the circus community, of this family of underestimated people, so that you, attentive spectators of their efforts and of their work, could know them better, and celebrate them better.”

In its rudiments it is a circus showcase with all the best acts outperforming each other in the hopes to win awards – so you’re guaranteed a spectacle as the artists compete for the judges’ (and yours) affection. You can pre-order tickets here.

The show this year will include motorcycle stunts, Spanish clowns, ponies, elephants and jugglers. Early in February the first ‘New Generation’ showcase will be put on display with new acts showing their talents in a competition for young circus acts.

P&O Ferries can get you to France on your journey south to one of the best circus experiences of 2012

Tags: France, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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All you considerate souls out there who have already finished your Christmas shopping, and those of you who love a bargain should set aside those Christmas bonuses for the January sales.

Shopping in France is a luxury endeavour that you can enjoy a loved one at a knock down price at this time of year. From transport to hotels a trip on to the continent in January 2012 won’t be a bank breaker, and if you get a poor haul on the 25th then why not grab a couple well deserved gifts for yourself.

It’ll still be cold and residence for skiing may be competitive, but if shopping is the purpose for your trip then a cosy hotel room near a Parisian market will make for an exceptional romantic getaway. The sales in France’s capital ‘Soldes by Paris!’ run from January 12th to the 15th of February so there’s plenty of time to plan ahead, getting there early in the month is the best way to fight to the front of the queues for some of these deals but we’re sure there will be some excellent items left over if you want to hold out for that all important January pay check.

The tourist attractions will also be blessedly free from queues, so wrap up warm and do some wandering around; there’ll still be a bit of Christmas magic left over to keep things special.

Soldes is the only time of year when shops are allowed to sell goods at a loss, the regulations in Paris let shop slash their prices by up to 40% and with ever changing fashions a lot of shops want to clear out their stock rooms so picking up a bargain will not be too difficult.

Happy shopping!

A P&O Ferry is an excellent budget way to get to France, with the sales you can take a car with you and load up at minimal cost.

Image credit: antwerpenR

Tags: France, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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So it’s December 1st already! Since Christmas is fast approaching there’s no time to lose booking some time off and getting yourself away for a midwinter break. There are lots to see in France, but if you’re after a quick jaunt across the Channel and perhaps a weekend or more in France then stay close to the coast and visit Calvados, it has plenty going on this December.

There are, of course, plenty of Christmas Markets on the go this time of year in Lisieux, Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives, Caen and more. Most have already begun and are running through to late December so there’s plenty of bargains to be had and exploring to do.

One event we’re interested to see is the annual racing of the Santas on Omaha Beach. This novel event happens on the 18th of December and involves a yacht race of folks dressed in Santa racing along the beaches of the D-Day landings, 2011 marks its fifth year running.

Calvados will also have Loisirsland return this year. Loisirsland is a France’s travelling leisure park, it normally sets up for school holidays, lots of fun if you have kids, it can be found in Caen from 22nd-31st of December.

Of course there’s lots more to see, Calvados is home to Guillaume le Conquérant Château a huge stage theatre which every December gets festive with a Sleeping Beauty theme. You could also visit the birthplace of William the Conquerer where there will be fireworks the Falaise Christmas Market and various showcases.

A trip to France is just a P&O Ferry away, their Dover to Calais service will have you well on your way to Calvados and a December filled with Christmas wonder!

Image credit: timeyres

Tags: France, History, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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Tomorrow will be the third Thursday of November, and you know that means? Beaujolais Nouveau is here again! And that means the 2011 store of Beaujolais Nouveau wine is soon to be uncorked for the first time…and drunk in abundance.

Traditionally, in the words of Bernard Ludwig Black “Old wine, is good wine” Beaujolais Nouveau, of course, being the exception. This is a youthful vintage bottled after a mere 6-8 weeks, it’s meant for immediate drinking, we’re speculating here but assumedly one winemaker couldn’t handle the wait, sampled it early and thought ‘That ain’t bad’ or at least something similar must have happened.

In France the Beaujolais Nouveau festivities kick off at the stroke of midnight. Towns that have the wine stocked crack into their stores and make merry until late into the night, in Paris restaurants stay open until late, there’s live music and fireworks.

The French government have passed regulations to ensure that the wine is only drunk after midnight on Thursday and the intention is to have the year’s harvest drunk by Christmas – excellent right?

It may be quite short notice for you to get to France in time for the Beaujolais Nouveau celebration, although P&O Ferries can take you across the channel at short notice, but this year’s yield of Beaujolais will still be knocking about well into December so there’s plenty of time to sample this year’s vintage.

P&O Ferries can get you to wine country in France from via the Dover-Calais service, so book now, our hats are off to you if you can get to the Beaujolais Nouveau festivities tomorrow night!

Image credit: swanksalot

Tags: France, History, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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After we recommended you the Lille Christmas market the other week, P&O Ferries would now like to point you in the direction of another town that should help you get in the festive spirit: Strasbourg.

Due to its location close to the German border, Strasbourg’s Christmas market has a distinctly German touch – but that’s definitely an advantage, since the Germans do Christmas markets better than almost anybody else.

Combined with Strasbourg’s lovely cathedral, alleyways and market squares, this expertise in all things Yuletide makes for a fantastic experience leading up to the holidays. Taking part from 26 November until 31 December 2011, the Strasbourg Christmas market might be a bit out of the way for some P&O Ferries users, but it’s definitely worth the trip.

The main Christmas market is held in the area surrounding the town’s cathedral and has been going for more than 400 years. There are, however, 11 more markets spread around the city, including a market dedicated to the guest of honour, the country of Switzerland. Every year at the Strasbourg Christmas market, a country is awarded the opportunity to bring a bit of its own festive spirit to Alsace. The Swiss Village will offer artefacts and Swiss delicacies to punters – there will be traditional lumberjack tea and of course different cheese and chocolate treats.

There will also be the chance for parents to spend some quality time with their children in one of the many activities organized specifically for kids at the Strasbourgh Christmas market. There will be an ice skating rink as well as an ice garden containing tunnels and sculptures, and there will be shows put on in the dedicated Christmas village every Wednesday, Saturday at Sunday at 2.30, 4 and 5pm.

In addition to all this, there will be free classical and choir concerts, theatre performances, carols, organ recitals, and much, much more. One last highlight we’d like to point out is the huge Christmas tree in the place Klebér, beautifully decorated and illuminated by Antoinette Pfimlin.

As you can see, there is more to Christmas markets than mulled wine and handicrafts (of which there will of course also be plenty) – why not take a little trip to the continent to get into the spirit?

To get to Strasbourg, you can take a P&O Ferry to Calais and drive to Strasbourg via Dunkirk and Lille (around 5.5 hours).

Image credit: Francois Schnell

Tags: France by Matthias Scherer
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Remembrance Sunday has just passed and we approach Armistice Day this Friday to commemorate the ending World War 1. The Armistice signed between Allies and the Central Powers on the “Eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” is given special resonance with it being the eleventh year of the new millennium.

This anniversary brings veterans, historians and relatives of the fallen to France to continue the memory of deeds and sacrifices of our fighting forces. Both Belgium and France offer tours of some of the sites of the major battles of WW1. Over the remembrance period museums in Normandy offer special exhibitions and private collectors loan items such as military maps for the examination of the public. Though the Armistice of 11th November stems from WW1 the two minute silence invites us to reflect on the heroism and horrors of all armed conflicts from the Great War to those in continuance today.

If you wish to pay your respects at the site of these there are various daytrips and 3 or 4 day tours available which include the Somme and Ypres as well as noted locations of WW2 operations such as Dunkirk, Market Garden and Omaha beach.

If you wish to tour alone or in a private group the option of a personal tour or MP3 guide will give you a truly informative trip.

Some guided tours include overnight lodgings and coach trips back to Calais to keep things easy for your ferry trip back to Blighty

Image credit: Mike Knell

Tags: Belgium, France, History, P&O Ferries by Karim Beerahee
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