While I know that you can take the Eurostar to Paris from London, can you still take a ferry to France and do you arrive in Rouen? My idea is a side trip from London to France but beginning in Rouen and then taking the train to Paris and the Eurostar back to London.
Thanks, and hope my question makes sense!
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
There are ferries from S. England (Portsmouth) to Le Havre but these are long crossings. Most use the Dover to Calais then train it to Rouen. You could also take a cheap flight to Beauvais as another option.
Posted by
San Francisco
14980 posts
Carmen, The ferry leaving Portsmouth goes to Normandy, ie., to Caen. There is also the Portsmouth-St. Malo ferry connection. From either of these two places take the train to Rouen, from which continue to Paris.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
St Malo would be a nice town to start your French tour. Noy sure how practical if you want to rent a car from there
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Where is it in northern France that you actually want to go, besides Rouen?
Posted by
San Jose, CA, USA (Bath, UK for 2010)
79 posts
Just did the Portsmouth to Caen crossing and back this month. Such a pleasant way to travel. And Caen to Rouen is not a long drive. There is a bus that will take you from the port (actually in Ouistrehram, not Caen) to Caen where there is a central train station, bus station and rental car agencies galore. You could rent a car and see Rouen, then return it to Caen and take the train to Paris from there.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
619 posts
Another option for you are the LD Lines routes from Portsmouth to Le Havre and Newhaven to Dieppe. Both Le Havre and Dieppe are much closer to Rouen than the other channel ports. You really need to decide which route to take based on the suitability of timetables, fares and facilities. LD lines website is at www.ldlines.co.uk/index.php.
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
Go to www.seat61.com. You can easily learn about ferries and trains and book your tickets as well. We've used that site extensively and have taken the Portsmouth to Quistreham ferry, collected our reserved rental car across the street from the Caen RR station, and were off across Normandy in a flash. It was so easy. Aquacars, based in Portsmouth, will meet you at Heathrow or your London hotel and take you to Portsmouth for less money than two train tickets, plus deliver you door to door. It was hassle free and we will do it again next year. You can go to tripadvisor.com, Portsmouth forum to learn from locals how to accomplish anything you might want from accommodations to ferry schedules.