Granville Ferries

Unlock your adventure to France at the incredible port of Granville! It's your essential gateway to the stunning nearby islands. Imagine seamless connections and breath-taking scenic journeys – that's what awaits you.

As a bustling hub for both passengers and freight, Granville boasts an impressive 2 ferry routes operated by 1 top-tier ferry companies. Get ready for a convenient sailing experience from Granville, with schedules perfectly tailored to the seasons, ensuring you always find your ideal departure, no matter the demand, weather, or tourism buzz. Your unforgettable escape begins here!

Granville offers wonderful connections to popular routes like Jersey (St Helier) - Granville. You can customize your trip by choosing between a swift high-speed ferry to get there in a flash or a classic vessel for a more scenic, relaxing journey. From quick local hops to leisurely overnight voyages, your island adventure starts here.

Getting to your destination is a breeze with several excellent ferry operators departing regularly from Granville. You'll find companies like Manche Iles Express ready to whisk you away.

Each offers a variety of onboard amenities to make your journey pleasant, from comfortable seating and delicious food and drink options to private cabins and even vehicle transport.

With a range of ticket options available depending on the company and vessel, there's something to suit everyone, whether you're traveling solo, with family, or on a business trip.

Whether you're dreaming of an exhilarating island-hopping escape, making your way back to the comfort of home, or embarking on a brand-new journey, your perfect voyage begins right here with Granville.

Granville is well-connected to the French transportation network, making it accessible for travelers from various starting points. From Paris, the journey takes approximately 3.5 hours by car via the A13 and A84 motorways, while train connections from Paris Montparnasse station (with a change at Granville) take around 3 hours. Regional buses connect Granville to nearby Norman cities like Avranches (30 minutes) and Mont Saint-Michel (45 minutes). Once in town, the ferry terminal is conveniently located near the lower town, with ample parking facilities available for those arriving by car. Local buses and taxis provide easy transfers between the train station and the ferry port.

Perched dramatically on a rocky promontory overlooking the English Channel, Granville blends the charm of a historic maritime town with the vibrancy of a seaside resort. This 'Monaco of the North' boasts imposing granite architecture, colorful fishing harbors, and stunning coastal views that have inspired artists for centuries. As a key ferry hub on Normandy's coastline, Granville offers travelers an authentic taste of French coastal life with its fresh seafood, rich maritime heritage, and gateway to the enchanting Channel Islands.

Granville enjoys a temperate maritime climate, with mild winters and warm summers that rarely become uncomfortably hot. The prime time to visit falls between May and September when temperatures hover between 18-25°C (64-77°F), perfect for enjoying both the town and its beaches. July and August bring the liveliest atmosphere with the annual Carnival and various maritime festivals, though these months also see more tourists. Spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October) offer a sweet spot of pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and consistent ferry schedules to the Channel Islands. Winter visits have their own appeal with dramatic sea views and the authentic rhythm of local life, though some attractions may have reduced hours.

Granville serves as an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the magnificent Channel Islands. Regular ferry services connect to Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, with a journey time of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, offering travelers a blend of British and French influences alongside stunning beaches and historic sites. Guernsey can be reached within 2 hours, enticing visitors with its charming St. Peter Port and scenic coastal paths. During summer months, day trips to Chausey, a stunning archipelago of 365 islands at low tide and just 52 at high tide, take only 45 minutes by ferry and reward visitors with pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. The dramatic tidal ranges around these islands create ever-changing seascapes that make each crossing a unique experience.

Granville's rich maritime heritage comes alive at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, housed in a 19th-century barracks, where exhibitions detail the town's seafaring past and connection to the Channel Islands. Fashion enthusiasts shouldn't miss the Christian Dior Museum, established in the designer's childhood home with its magnificent gardens overlooking the sea. For fresh air and stunning views, walk along the sea walls of the Haute-Ville (upper town) with its imposing ramparts and panoramic vistas of the harbor and Channel Islands on clear days. Seafood lovers will delight in Granville's culinary scene, where restaurants around the port serve just-caught specialties like 'bulots' (whelks), oysters from nearby Cancale, and the famous Norman scallops known as 'Coquilles Saint-Jacques'. The vibrant Marché Couvert (covered market) offers local produce, cheeses, and seafood perfect for picnics along the shore.

Granville earned its nickname 'Monaco of the North' due to its dramatic setting on a rocky promontory, similar to its Mediterranean counterpart. The town holds a special place in fashion history as the childhood home of Christian Dior, whose family residence 'Les Rhumbs' and its gardens profoundly influenced his design aesthetic. Granville hosts one of France's oldest carnivals, dating back more than 140 years, when local fishermen would celebrate before departing for the Newfoundland fishing grounds. Perhaps most surprising is Granville's historical role as a corsair (privateer) base during the 17th and 18th centuries, when the town's sailors were authorized by the king to raid English ships, bringing wealth that funded many of the grand buildings still standing today.