Hear the resounding horns of cruisers as they leave Saint-Nazaire… or Hans Zimmer’s rousing soundtracks to the shows at Puy du Fou. Pack up your car and hop across the Channel with Brittany Ferries.
A ship’s horn at Saint-Nazaire
In October 2018, cruise liner Celebrity Edge will take to the waves from the port of St-Nazaire. This highly innovative luxury liner is 306 metres long and 39 metres wide, with 1,467 cabins and suites, including sumptuous villas on two levels plus a large terrace. It can accommodate 2,900 passengers.
The port of Saint-Nazaire has a feeling of grandeur to it with its bridge, marina, impressive Airbus factories and enormous ships emerging from its shipyards. It’s the largest port on France's Atlantic coast and fiercely proud of its rich maritime heritage.
Don’t miss the Escal’Atlantic museum, housed in the port’s former submarine pen and fully refurbished and extended in 2013, where you can learn about the most famous ocean liners built in Saint-Nazaire. Interactive activities, reconstructions and original artefacts give a sense of what life was like on board these giants of the sea.
Historic spectacles at Puy du Fou
One of France’s most famous theme parks, award-winning Puy du Fou (External link) in Vendée brings the rich history of the region to astonishing life, with chariot races in a near full-sized Roman amphitheatre, soldiers storming castles, jousting tournaments, Vikings and gladiators. There are no rollercoasters in this rural forest setting, but the action-packed shows certainly provide enough of a thrill, involving hundreds of actors, horsemen, swordsmen and volunteers plus various historic reconstructions.
Covering all periods from Roman times to the Belle Époque of the 19th century, Puy du Fou always ensures a fair degree of historical accuracy to evoke the world as it really was... with a few special effects added in. There is also a unique falconry display called the Dance of the Phantom Birds, in which over 100 trained birds of prey swoop down out of the sky. No need to squeeze it all into one day; there are hotels on site.
Get there with Brittany Ferries
The best way of exploring the Atlantic Coast is in the comfort of your own car, packed with everything you need. Sail direct to Brittany or Normandy from Poole, Portsmouth or Plymouth with Brittany Ferries and head on down to the Atlantic Coast.
Plan your trip to the Atlantic Coast with Brittany Ferries. (External link)
Visit Pays de la Loire Tourist Office website for more information. (External link)