Latest news with #BrittanyFerries
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Brittany Ferries: 'Morel's comments are ridiculous'
A ferry company has hit back at claims made by Jersey's economic development minister, that problems with the inter-island ferry service are due to Guernsey ending the joint tender process before Jersey had made its decision. A spokesperson for Brittany Ferries, which won the Guernsey contract, said there must be "something in the deputy's water" after the comments from Deputy Kirsten made the comments after DFDS, Jersey's ferry operator had to cancel several inter island sailings because of tide and staffing Ferries described Morel's comments as "ridiculous." Initial plans for a single provider to serve both islands were disrupted last year when Guernsey announced they had chosen Brittany Ferries before Jersey had made it's decision. Jersey later chose DFDS leaving the two islands with separate DFDS was selected as Jersey's ferry operator, Morel said while an inter-island service wasn't a formal part of the tender process it was something the company understood it would have to asked if in hindsight an inter-island service should have been a formal part of the ferry tender process, Morel said: "What happened is that Guernsey ended the joint process and we had to go alone on our own process which meant we couldn't include Guernsey in that. So it's a moot point."Guernsey controls its own port and as I understand it prioritises the use of its port for that operator so it wasn't possible for us without having any of the information they had to include it in the tender process."It's had an effect on the inter-island service." In response to the minister's comments, Brittany Ferries said in a statement: "There must be something in the deputy's water. There can be no other explanation for such a ridiculous response to the withdrawal of DFDS inter-island services."No doubt, Jersey residents and businesses will see through this for what is."Just a reminder: the reason DFDS were disqualified from the first bid process was a clause that allowed them to change schedules on whim, up prices at their convenience and change service levels with impunity.""Et voila, Deputy Morel: all your chickens are coming home to roost."DFDS has been contacted for a comment.
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
DFDS cancels some weekly inter-island ferry services
A ferry company has cancelled some of its weekly sailings to Guernsey from began the service in June after calls for a reliable link between the islands and it offered a return trip every Monday, saying it would consider putting on more if there was company launched its ferry routes to and from Jersey in March after winning a government contract to operate sailings for the next 20 years, with Brittany Ferries continuing for said a lack of staff and problems with the tides meant some crossings would be cancelled. A spokesperson said: "We have taken the decision to cancel some upcoming sailings which will impact on inter-island services during the summer. "We can confirm that this is not a planned reduction in inter-island crossings and that our customers have been made aware of these amendments. "We have tried to not disrupt journeys as much as possible by accommodating passengers on the next available ferry but apologise to those who have been affected by these schedule changes." 'Build for long-term' Ian Cuming, from the Jersey Sports Council, said DFDS had to create a plan to improve its services for the future."I think we need to have a conversation with DFDS to find out what their issues are," he said."Presumably it's commercial and then what can we build for the long-term to create a better inter-island service - both for passengers and for people who want to take equipment, cars, horses, boats, whatever, across [to] the other islands."Antiques dealer Stephen Cohu said the timetable had not been helpful and the cancellations were affecting his trade with Guernsey."We used to be able to go over for the day, get a day trip, go and pick it all up or they would send it over," he said. "We literally need to go and pick up half a car full of stuff. We've got to stay in Guernsey for a week."
The Guardian
7 days ago
- The Guardian
Hikes, motorbikes and beekeeping: Julia Bradbury on the outdoor wonders of Normandy
Over the years, nature has been my best friend, my adventure playground and my therapist. Spending time in nature is incredibly powerful, which is why trying to build it into our lives is so important, whether that's going to a local park, walking along your favourite tree-lined street or starting your day perched on a windowsill and feeling the sunshine on your face. I call these everyday, mood-boosting moments 'nature snacks' – and by comparison, going on an outdoorsy holiday to somewhere gloriously green could be considered 'a nature feast'. Julia Bradbury en route from Portsmouth to Caen with Brittany Ferries Recently, I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Normandy to explore some of the uncommon sights and adventures that this gorgeous part of the world has to offer. Although I travel for a living, this was my first time exploring this patch of northern France in any depth – and I was looking forward to discovering it more fully. So in keeping with this sense of slowing down and taking time to enjoy the journey, I set off from Portsmouth with Brittany Ferries on one of its new hybrid-LNG ships. There's something quite nostalgic about journeying by sea. All the stresses of travelling by plane disappear: you can move about freely, get some fresh air and enjoy some peace, which is perfect for easing yourself into a holiday. After arriving in port at Caen, my Gallic adventure kicked off with a retro sidecar motorbike tour along the coastline, which turned out to be one of the most exciting history tours I've ever experienced. A German gun emplacement near Longues-sur-Mer; the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer; with Philippe on a motorbike tour of the Normandy coastline A wonderful guy called Philippe, who was very knowledgable and entertaining, was my 'pilot'. Our key destination was the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer. A permanent monument, called Standing with Giants, features 1,475 metal silhouettes of servicemen, each one representing a life lost in 1944 on D-day. The statues are accompanied by beautifully heartfelt messages from family members, thanking the men for their sacrifice, some sharing personal anecdotes about their lost loved ones. Seeing those hundreds of lives laid out was deeply touching, I found myself crying. During my decades spent soaking in the great outdoors, I've learned that walking through a landscape is one of the best ways to really get a feel for a place, whether it's a town, a rural setting or a woodland. You see, feel and experience more when you're on your feet, so I was looking forward to embarking on a barefoot guided 'quicksand' walk in beautiful Mont-Saint-Michel. (Well, partially barefoot. I was told to bring some shorts and neoprene booties as well. You'll see why when you read on.) The walk at low tide to Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey The beach, which is set against the stunning backdrop of Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, is wide open when the tide is out. You can see for miles with no sea in sight. If you jump on certain parts of the sand, it starts to wobble, which is a sign that there's quicksand underneath you. It's possible to wiggle yourself right down to your hips, which is quite an experience – once you get over that feeling of: 'Am I going to get out of here?' Walking in quicksand was a first for me, and doing something so unique felt good. I can see why the boots are advised, but next time my feet will be fully naked in the quicksand! I also got to sample some local produce at a pick-your-own farm, Cueillette de Cagny, near Caen, which grows luscious cherries, asparagus, apples and huge leaves of chard, or blettes. Picking your own is a lovely way of connecting with the earth and your food – anyone who's harvested or foraged and enjoyed eating their spoils will know how special that feels. Local produce at a pick-your-own farm, Cueillette de Cagny I met some bees, including the queen bee (complete with her beautiful neon-pink crown), when I was allowed to get up close to the hives at a local bee farm. It was lovely to be safely ensconced in a beekeeper's outfit with the bees buzzing around me. And of course, I got to leave with some of the freshest local honey. My last experience on this unique trip was a hike through the rugged Suisse Normande region, navigating narrow paths on steep cliffs that offered sweeping views of the valley and river down below. The sky was full of paragliders, like giant multicoloured butterflies, which was a real sight to behold. When you get to the top of a mountain, or you're in a woodland and you look up through a canopy of trees that are living and growing in unison with each other, it's incredibly powerful. Collecting honey at a bee farm near Caen; hiking the Suisse Normande At the end of my time in Normandy, I made the return journey back across the Channel with Brittany Ferries. Having the extra time and space to relax after the trip – and being able to treat myself to one more delicious French meal onboard, showcasing wonderful, locally sourced ingredients – was a lovely way to finish off my French adventure. When you spend time looking at trees bending with the wind, listening to birdsong or watching waves from the deck of a ship, you're engaged in what's called 'soft fascination'. It's a state of mind where you're not thinking about what you need to do next, you're just engaged with that movement in front of you. The return journey: sunset over the Channel from Caen to Portsmouth Mentally, that's a good place to be – and it was the ideal way to end a holiday that gave me the opportunity to move my body, get some fresh air and immerse myself in nature. As the French say, qui vivra verra. She who lives, shall see. Where to stayBrittany Ferries offers a range of accommodation from charming gites and chic hotels to villas with their own pool. For a unique and memorable stay close to Mont-Saint-Michel, Le Moulin de Ducey is a wonderfully tranquil restored watermill. Not far from Bayeux, Ferme de la Rançonnière is a former 15th-century farm that makes a great base for exploring Normandy's landing into holiday mode before you even arrive. Book a Brittany Ferries Holiday with ferry and accommodation and save up to 30% on your sailing. To find your perfect French escape, just visit:
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey: Early ferry schedule release will 'boost island'
A ferry company boss has said the early release of its 2026 schedule will help to support travel for islanders and tourists and freight Ferries is now taking bookings for its services between Guernsey, Jersey, the UK and France up until 3 November chief executive Christophe Mathieu said it was the earliest they had ever released their new timetable and was available four months earlier than last Mathieu said they were supporting travel for islanders and freight services, along with tourism and hospitality partners, through a consistent timetable and early publication. Mr Mathieu, who is also chief executive of Condor Ferries, said: "Brittany Ferries exists to connect people, facilitate trade and enrich the regions we serve," he said."This is the earliest we have launched our Channel Islands' timetable, so is as we promised in the tender last year. "This is also important for our travel trade partners in the UK and continental Europe, as it allow them to plan further ahead, increase group bookings and broaden distribution."The schedule included high speed morning departures from St Malo and evening returns to France, along with departures on six days a week to Poole and Portsmouth. Islanders can also connect to Spain and Ireland on Brittany Ferries' Ferries said it was reporting growth on UK and France services this year compared with 2024.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
French lessons offered as ferry visitors to Guernsey surge
French taster sessions have been put on for businesses by the States as the number of people arriving from St Malo was a 121% increase in passengers arriving into the island from the French port last month compared to June 2024 – an uplift of around 2,900 and May also saw strong improvements on 2024 levels, up 60% and 73% Ferries said its new schedule for France, along with efforts to improve the promotion of the island, have led to the "very positive" figures. 'Really thrilled' "What is particularly positive is that many of these visitors are choosing to stay overnight, providing a real boost to our hospitality and tourism sectors," it States of Guernsey and The Guernsey Institute had been providing free French language lessons for hospitality and tourism businesses in Le Prevost, a French teacher from the Institute said the courses started last week and had been well received by attendees."We did a course specialized for the industry, so that means for retail, hospitality and transport, and it has been very successful so far," she said."What we did is to start with the greetings of course, understanding how to be formal, informal, and also being familiar with numbers, which is really important for the hospitality or retail businesses."And directions, because the French tourists would like to go to the Victor Hugo House or know how to get to the bus station."They were actually really thrilled to be able at least to say a few words French and to be able to give a good service." Debraj Chakrabarti, Reception Manager at the Pandora Hotel who attended one of the sessions, said it was useful to make the growing number of French tourists feel said: "Lots of French people who doesn't understand or speak English, they're going to be more comfortable with the journey and the memory of our island."Not only French people are coming, now we are getting tourists from the US, Germany, Netherlands, Dutch and Australia as well and they are very much interested in Victor Hugo and also the history of the island." Christine Bonhomme, Director of Maison de la Normandie et de la Manche which promoted the Channel Islands in those regions, said the courses would make the island more attractive to visitors."Visit Guernsey has taken a great initiative by offering French lessons to hospitality staff and we are certain this will be most welcomed by French visitors," she said.
