France by ferry

Q: How many islands are there in France?

There are approximately 18 islands in France.

Q: How many ferry ports are there in France?

France has a total of 21 ferry ports.

Q: What''s the largest ferry company in France?

The largest ferry company in France is RATM Marseille with more than 1 ferry lines.

Q: Do I need to buy the tickets in advance for the ferry departures in France?

Given the increased number of travellers that are looking to travel on ferries around France during the high summer season, it is advisable to purchase your tickets before the date of the trip to save yourself a spot on the ferry itself.

Q: How early should I be at the ferry port?

Depends on whether you''re traveling with your car or as a pedestrian. If you''re traveling as a pedestrian, there are no real time limits unless otherwise stated on your ferry ticket. However, if you''re traveling with your car, it would be good to be at the ferry port as early as possible given the fact you need to be in the line to board the ferry.

Q: What happens if I miss my ferry?

Depends on the company you''re traveling with and their terms and conditions regarding the ferry journey, so we advise you to read the terms and conditions of the company in question to understand their terms and conditions regarding the cancellations and rebookings.

Q: How often do the ferries sail during the winter months in France?

The departures are somewhat reduced during the winter months, however, the timetable and the departures are going to be published on our website so you can always check them there directly.

Q: Can I bring my pets on board?

Depends on the carrier. However, the majority of companies does allow pets on board. Different rules apply for different animals, dogs should be brought on a leash, smaller pets need to be transported in the transport bags not to disturb the rest of the passengers.

Q: Can I bring my bicycle on board?

There are no issues with bringinrg the bicycles on board of the ferries given the spaciousness of the ferries. There might potentially be additional charges for the bicycle carriage, but the ferry company is the one to decide about the fees.

Q: Can foot passengers travel on car ferries in France?

The foot passengers can of course board the car ferries, all you need is a ticket.

France is a country with more than 18 islands and 21 ferry ports. Maritime transportation in France is very well developed and there are numerous lines taking you from the mainland to the islands and back. There are also various international departures to different countries, such as United Kingdom and Italy. Depending on the type of vessel that you are going to take to reach your destination, you may be able to take your car or motorbike with you, but keep in mind that you need to double check if the vessel in question is a car ferry or a passenger ferry to be sure.

Domestic Ferry Lines

There are 8 ferry lines operating inside France. The most popular domestic ferry lines are Marseille - Bastia, Toulon - Bastia and Bastia - Marseille that take more than 8 passengers between these destinations. Of course, the routes are operating even during the winter, but the departure schedule is slightly different. Also, keep in mind that if the weather is not adequate for sailing, there is always a possibility that the ferry departure might be canceled, so make sure you read the Terms and Conditions applied for the specific departure you are interested in. Here are some of the most popular ferry lines offered in France:

Travel Marseille - Bastia

Travel Toulon - Bastia

Travel Bastia - Marseille

Travel Ajaccio - Marseille

Travel Bastia - Toulon

Travel Toulon - Ajaccio

Travel Ajaccio - Toulon

Travel Marseille - Ajaccio

International Ferry Lines

Other than the domestic ferry lines, you can take a ferry from France to several other destinations in United Kingdom and Italy. Some of these lines do not sail daily, so make sure to check the operational intervals for each of these ferry lines. Most of the international departures start from the port of Bastia. Below you can see the list of the most popular international lines for ferries from France that you can purchase your tickets for:

Travel Calais - Dover

Travel Bonifacio - Santa Teresa Gallura

Travel Toulon - Porto Torres

Travel Bastia - Genoa

Travel Bastia - Livorno

Travel Bastia - Savona

Travel Bastia - Golfo Aranci

Travel Ouistreham - Portsmouth

Ferry Companies

France has around 3 ferry companies operating departures to and from the surrounding islands. RATM Marseille is the largest ferry operator offering more than 1 ferry lines, whereas the smallest ferry company is Corsica Ferries and has 1 in their offer. The vessels vary in size and capacity, depending on the route they are sailing on, but the information regarding the type of vessel you will be boarding is going to be indicated on the ticket and on the search results when you browse through the departures. Some of the ferry companies operating in France can be found below, where you can click on them for more information and reviews:

Ferry Ports in France

France is home to approximately 21 ferry ports. The largest ferry port is the one situated in Roscoff. Of course, during the high summer season, it is advisable to get to the ferry port at least 45 minutes prior to the departure time of your ferry in order to avoid any delays in your travel time. The smallest ferry port is the one in Calais. Below you can see a list of the most important ports, and here you can find all ferry ports and terminals in France.

Roscoff

Bonifacio

Porto-Vecchio

L'Île-Rousse

Propriano

Bastia

Ajaccio

Toulon

St. Malo

Sete

Saint Nazaire

Ouistreham

Nice

Marseille

Le Havre

Dunkirk

Dieppe

Flamanville

Cherbourg

Caen

Calais

Islands in France

France is home to more than 18 islands. The biggest island off the coast of France is Corsica, while the smallest one is Oleron. Based on the ticket sales for the ferry lines to the islands of France, the most popular islands in terms of travellers are Corsica and Oleron. For more details about each of the islands in France, you can click on them below for more information about that island; ferry timetables, ferry companies, places of interest and more!

Corsica

Oleron

Transportation to the ferry ports

If you are traveling by a plane and arriving at one of the airports in France, you can reach the ferry port by bus, you can see more about that here. Or if you are wanting a private, door-to-door transfer, you can have a look at the options available here.

FAQ about ferries in France

How many islands are there in France?

How many ferry ports are there in France?

What''s the largest ferry company in France?

Do I need to buy the tickets in advance for the ferry departures in France?

How early should I be at the ferry port?

What happens if I miss my ferry?

How often do the ferries sail during the winter months in France?

Can I bring my pets on board?

Can I bring my bicycle on board?

Can foot passengers travel on car ferries in France?