What a difference a decade makes to the French Atlantic Ports

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 - 15:49 by ce-press

Ten years after the launch of the ‘Art de Vivre’ campaign, which symbolised the diversity and complementary nature of the Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley, and South-West regions, the French Atlantic Ports (FAP) of Rouen, Honfleur, Caen-Ouistreham, Le Havre, Cherbourg, Saint-Malo, Brest, Nantes Saint-Nazaire and Bordeaux are seeing remarkable results.

“This year an estimated 875,000 passengers are expected, up from 755,000 in 2023 and more than double the number hosted in 2014,” says Cecilia Hesseron, communications manager GIP Le Havres Croisieres and spokesperson for the FAP (pictured).

“The Channel/Atlantic route has undoubtedly gained a strong reputation among cruiselines, affirming the French Atlantic Ports' strategy of collaboration rather than competition. Over the past decade, each of our nine partners has undertaken projects to solidify their identity as a sustainable cruise destination,” she adds.

Key projects and achievements within the French Atlantic Ports include:

 The beginning of installation of onshore power at Rouen's cruise terminal, which can now accommodate ships of 250m in length.

Onshore power is programmed to be operational in Honfleur on Quai en Seine 3 pier for the 2027 cruise season. 

In Le Havre, three state-of-the-art cruise terminals, with a capacity up to 13,500 passengers a day, as well as three quays equipped with shore power will be delivered by 2025/26

Caen will celebrate its Millennium in 2025, during which the port and the city will inaugurate the enhanced city centre cruise quay.

In Cherbourg, a new welcome area has been implemented in the historical art-deco cruise terminal and onshore power should be in place by 2026/2027.  

New mooring buoys located between Dinard and St Malo, can accommodate cruise vessels up to 250m in length.

 In Brest, cruiseships of any size are welcomed at one of the docks, including the all-new marine
renewable energy quay.

Cruise ships under 200m are welcome at Chevire Terminal, close to Nantes city centre. 

A new cruise pier in Pauillac, (one hour from Bordeaux) for ships up to 320m in length has been in operation since August 2024.

What a difference a decade makes to the French Atlantic Ports

Cécilia Hesseron (c) Cécilia Hesseron

Related port

Rouen

Rouen

The city of Rouen is more than just a port city, it’s a historical destination, nestled in the heart of Normandy, in one of France’s most charming valleys, the Seine Valley. Sailing the iconic Seine River to Rouen presents a unique opportunity for valued passengers to immerse themselves in a tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. Rouen offers a boutique and authentic experience, free of the hassles of crowded and busy tourist spots. Passengers can explore the medieval city, admire the Gothic cathedral that inspire Monet, and enjoy the modern amenities and attractions. Rouen is also Paris’ Ocean port, with easy access to many famous landmarks, such as Versailles, Giverny, the D-Day beaches, and the Mont Saint-Michel. Rouen can accommodate cruise ships up to 250 meters long, making it a convenient and appealing port of call. Rouen is a perfect blend of history and charm, and a memorable and rewarding destination for any itinerary.

Honfleur

Veritable gateway to the ocean, the Seine Valley and Paris, Honfleur launched its cruise terminal nearly 30 years ago. Today, Honfleur has become one of the top destinations on the Channel-Atlantic stretch. This small medieval town reveals her riches to all those who take the time to look. Over 1.000 years old, Honfleur seems untouched by the passage of time. The town is reputed due to the authentic charm of its narrow cobbled streets, its monuments and its cultural and artistic heritage. The historic part of the town is easily reachable from the cruise terminal. Located in the very heart of Normandy, Honfleur is the ideal port of call to discover the "must see" of the region : Honfleur of course, Deauville, Etretat, the D-Day beaches, the Mont Saint-Michel or the Bayeux tapestry. And the combination Honfleur - the Seine Valley - Rouen is a real 3 destinations in one.

Caen

Caen

Nestled in the heart of a millenium city, Caen-Ouistreham port opens up the doors to multi-faceted Normandy. Its central location enables you to reach the most beautiful sites of Normandy : from the D-day landing beaches to Mont-Saint-Michel or the Pays d’Auge and its typic villages. Set around a charming canal, Caen is one of the few boutique ports which can welcome ships directly in the city center of a regional capital but also in the seaside town of Ouistreham Riva-Bella. The journey between the sea and the city takes about 90min ; it gives cruise passengers a foretaste of the history and the richness of our territory. They will be able to discover Benouville’s castle from the 18th century, Pegasus Bridge, the D-day iconic site or the wooden park of Beauregard’s castle Caen-Ouistreham port has full port facilities and services : steering/towing/mooring, 24/7 ship service, ISPS standard, waste removal/bunkering/refuelling available.

Le Havre

Le Havre

Le Havre’s port was established in 1517 by King Francis 1st. Today, it's accessible 24/24, 7 days a week and has the capacity to host any size of cruise ship. The port has 3 dedicated cruise berths and can accommodate up to 4 cruise ships simultaneously depending on size. Le Havre benefits from regular calls throughout the year, transit as well as turnaround calls from a broad range of cruise lines: contemporary, premium and luxury. It’s also a convenient repositioning port to Northern Europe and the Baltic during spring and the Mediterranean and Caribbean in Autumn. With the extension of the cruises season, Le Havre is also a safe shelter port in case of bad weather conditions.

Cherbourg

Cherbourg

Cherbourg is a deep water port that offers easy and safe access at any time of the year. Back in 1930’s, Cherbourg was one of the most important transatlantic ports in Europe. About 70 years, Cherbourg, gateway to Normandy, has become a prime cruise destination. With first class service to the cruise ships, crew and passengers, the new Cherbourg cruise terminal provides a 600 meter long berth with a water depth of 13 m, 2500 m² on two levels for top class operation to passengers, and luggage handling with easy connection to bus and taxis and covered access to the ship via electric gangways. Within a walking distance from the heart of the city, Cherbourg cruise terminal provides all modern port facilities and reliable services for either a tourist or turnaround destination.

Saint Malo

Saint Malo

The port is operating by a private company called "EDEIS Ports of Saint-Malo and Cancale" and it is located right in the middle of one of the most charming, authentic town in France. The city can accommodate four ships at once . Vessels measuring less than 150 meters can dock at any of the 3 berths. Ships from 150 meters to 250 meters can be located in some moring bouys only a few minutes away by tender to the new terminal. Both the terminal and the tender landing are within less than a five-minute walk to gates of the walled city. Your passengers will experience the bustling atmosphere in restaurants, cafés and shops. Dinard, across from St. Malo, is famous for its lovely sea promenade and Victorian-era homes. Saint-Malo is a non industrial port and the only french port where you can explore the marvel of the western world and UNESCO heritage " the Mont St Michel" in half a day (only 45 minutes by coach from the dock).

Brest

Brest

Brest with its evocative street names – Siam, Bougainville, La Fayette, Segalen, is a place where the traveler can unwind in a variety of ways: shopping, restaurants, museums and galleries, theatres, cinemas, bars and pubs with a truly Celtic atmosphere. From the fortifications built by the famous French architect Vauban to the destruction wrought by the Second World War, all of the city’s architecture is rooted in the soils of history. Accounts of the past, monuments, military history, and museums provide the occasion for an exciting journey through the events that made Brest what it is today. Just a few hundred yards away from the quays sits the town itself amid its Motte-Tanguy Tower and its castle dating back to the 15th and 17th centuries, which houses the splendid naval museum. Keep, towers, courtyards and watchtowers overlook the port and the Penfield river which, every 4 years, play host to the largest gathering of boats in the world.

Nantes St. Nazaire

Nantes St. Nazaire

NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE 3 terminals are available in our Loire estuary to accommodate cruise ships: in Nantes city centre, Montoir-de-Bretagne and Saint-Nazaire. Our destination is the natural gateway to the Loire Valley Castles (Chateaux Chambord, Chenonceau..), Guérande Medieval city or Muscadet Vineyard. The cruise guests will enjoy the historical Nantes: a city of Arts, History and Shopping! Saint-Nazaire area is the first step to experience industrial tourism (Chantiers de l'Atlantique Shipyard or Airbus factory) Our highlights: • The attraction "Machines de l'Ile" in Nantes": a giant elephant weighting in at 40 tons and 12 m high (can carry up to 30 passengers on trips along the river) or a huge Carousel inaugurated in 2013 • The gothic cathedral of St. Pierre (1434) in Nantes • The Musée des Arts displaying paintings by Monet, de la Tour, Delacroix. • Escal'atlantic in Saint-Nazaire: the ocean liner experience • The Salt Marshes close to Guérande and the Brière Natural Park

Bordeaux

Bordeaux

Bordeaux, worldwide renowned wine capital, now listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, lies some 60 miles from the sea at the head of the Gironde Estuary. For the many thousands of cruise passengers who arrive every year, their first sight of the city is the fine 18th century facade alongside which their ship will berth. On top of the Bordeaux Center arrival berth, 2 other sites can welcome cruise ships: Bassens and Le Verdon, according to the ships dimensions. Coming soon a new terminal in Pauillac for ships up to 340 m A large choice of shore excursions are available, including tours of the city and of its major monuments – Girondins Column, Grand Théâtre, Place Saint-Pierre, Porte Cailhau and the Peu-Berland Tower. There are also half day trips to the most famous wine growing areas of Médoc, Saint Emilion/Pomerol, Graves/Sauternes. Each vineyard visit offers a guided tour through prestigious châteaux: Beychevelle, Carbonnieux, Haut Brion, Eyquem, Margaux, Mouton Rothschild