BRAND NEW FERRY: Caen to Portsmouth with Brittany Ferries Guillaume de Normandie & Caen City Tour

Join me on a scenic journey from Caen, France to Portsmouth, England, sailing aboard the brand ne ferry Guillaume de Normandie with Brittany Ferries. 🌊

The adventure begins in historic Caen, where we explore:
🏰 Château de Caen – William the Conqueror’s medieval fortress
⛪ Église Saint-Pierre – stunning Gothic architecture in the heart of Caen
⚓ Caen Marina – a peaceful harbour surrounded by cafés and sailing boats

Next, we take the bus to Ouistreham, visiting the Sword Beach Memorial to honour the D-Day veterans who landed here in 1944. 🇫🇷🇬🇧

Finally, we board the ferry for a midnight overnight sailing to Portsmouth, enjoying a cabin, sea views, and the relaxing atmosphere aboard Brittany Ferries’ Guillaume de Normandie.

Whether you love travel vlogs, Normandy history, or are planning a ferry trip from France to the UK, this video captures the perfect mix of heritage, remembrance, and adventure at sea.

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⏱️ Video Chapters

0:00 – Ouistreham
2:00 – Bus ride to Caen
5:00 – Caen Castle (Château de Caen)
14:00 – Sword Beach & Veterans Memorial
17:00 – Boarding the Ferry
18:00 – Sailing aboard Guillaume de Normandie
23:00 – Cabin Tour
29:00 – Arrival into Portsmouth
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📍 Highlights

Touring Caen’s Château, St Pierre Church & Marina

Visiting the Veterans Memorial at Sword Beach

Bus to Ouistreham ferry terminal

Overnight ferry to Portsmouth aboard Guillaume de Normandie

Cabin stay & onboard experience

#BrittanyFerries #GuillaumedeNormandie #CaenToPortsmouth #NormandyTravel #CaenFrance #SwordBeach #DDayBeaches #Ouistreham #FerryCrossing #TravelVlog #PortsmouthUK #NormandyHistory #OvernightFerry #FranceToUK #TravelEurope #CaenMarina #ChateaudeCaen #SaintPierreChurch #FerryTravel #ChannelCrossing

Welcome to this beautiful sunny morning at the B&B 
Hotel Ouistreham. It really is a lovely view from the window. And what’s more, this hotel only 
cost €61 per night. Before I leave the hotel, however, I will give you a quick look around the 
room and at me in the mirror. And good morning   from Wishar. Passing the very large TV there up 
on the wall and the window I just showed you, you can see the double bed down there, which 
was exceptionally comfortable. Over here is the   desk with two decent European size plugs and the 
air conditioning control on the wall which also worked very well. A safe is down there in the 
corner and more plugs by the bed. All in all,   a very nice and good value hotel costing only 
€61. Now it’s time to head back down to the port to catch the bus into central Caen. And 
with that, welcome to Carl’s Travel Channel, where every journey costs less than £200. 
Please sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. And always remember, the nearest exit may 
be behind you. To start on a nautical theme, this marine yard is located here, unusually 
straddling right across the main public road. The deep blue sky this morning really is 
glorious. A perfect day for sightseeing. We approach here the bus stop, 
which is located opposite the   bar and restaurant Legoland on the 
Avenue General. As it says up there, you need the bus number 12 into the city center. 
A look at the map for local services offered. Nice and easily on board. I must point out, 
however, that you can buy tickets for this   bus on the Twisto app. You cannot use cards, only 
the app or I think maybe cash. Be sure to download the app in advance of reaching the bus stop as 
it takes a little while to set up and purchase   the tickets which you must activate with the 
driver when you reach the door. A look inside. As we pass one of Caen’s many churches, the bus 
fair is only €1.50 each way at present prices. There is a nice open stretch of countryside down 
this dual carriageway and the total journey time   to the area of Caen Castle takes around 25 
minutes. Google for some reason says 40 minutes as I think that is the journey 
time to the gare de Caen. Now don’t   nod off or fall asleep. Every time a field 
appears on one of my videos I know you stop watching. Cough cough. People on YouTube 
are terrified of countryside and scenery. This big cinema complex was quite unusual. 25 minutes later, we’ve made it and 
we’re right outside the beautiful   church in the center of Khn. Come 
and join me for a little walk about. This is the church of St. Pierre,   put up between the 13th and 15th 
centuries. A little like me, really. So, here we are outside the church of S Pierre in 
Caen. The very impressive tall spire behind me was actually destroyed during the Second World 
War and has since fortunately been rebuilt. Hats off as we enter. And the look I got 
from that tourist is really quite a picture. Now, let’s see how many viewers 
the church will scare off,   because that’s another thing I’ve noticed 
in the viewing stats for previous videos. And wow, inside, as you could see, it really 
is quite stunning. Let’s take one more last   look at the spire in today’s gorgeous 
sunshine. a lot nicer than when I was here last year in the video you can always see on 
my channel from November 2024 also in Wra and K. [Music] Now, let’s walk from here and head 
back up to the chat to carb up on the hillside, [Music] a map and some information about 
the shadow, the castle, and its grounds. It really is impressively 
well preserved in its original   layout. There is a very large and deep 
moat around it which sadly has no water. The tall spire of the church is directly 
opposite underneath the glaring sun. I make my way up onto the walls or the barban   as it’s known and ironically 
it was built by the English. And up on the top here, you can then 
take a walk around the castle ram parts. And all of this, of course, is free, 
which is really very excellent. Oh, I see a big gun over here. 
Let’s go and have a look. I wonder what it’s aimed at. You got to mind your footing. For some reason, I don’t look too 
happy. Maybe it’s the uneven surface,   but it is a few centuries old. I love all these small interesting 
sections. All open to the public   and completely free, which is quite unusual. You can pause the video here if you like 
on the attractions visible in the view. The other side here with a beautiful 
TUDA style building opposite down there is the Musee De beu Arts Caen or simply 
in English the Museum of Fine Arts. Now let’s climb higher for more exploring. Wow, what 
a view. The church from up here looks very small. And there my selfie stick just on the 
edge. You can see how high up we really are. The arrangement of five flags here is 
impressive and indeed they fly proud. Adjacent to this section of wall is this 
restaurant attached to the arts gallery with   a large sculpture garden with these bizarre 
sculptures up on large stilts. The extremely well preserved street directly opposite here is 
really nice and I’ll go down and check that out   in a moment and have a beer there. Gosh, we 
are now very high up on this section. I don’t even want to get near the edge. It’s giving 
me vertigo. We are almost level here with the   tower of the church. So, back down to the safety 
of ground level. I’m in the sculpture garden. This section I found really fascinating. It is 
an old destroyed castle keep only remaining on the walls and the moes. It is called Leon from 
Anglo French Normandy. If the castle keep was still there in the center, it really would look 
very impressive. And up here from an alternative   view above, you could see its foundations there 
set in the middle of the square of the moat. One final view, this time looking northwest. On my way back down in this turret, I 
noticed there was some kind of weird   sculpture thing in the middle. And 
here at the governor’s residence, this has now been converted 
into the musea de Normandy. It looks very closed though. Out of the castle 
on the little street directly opposite, which I promised you I would visit. And it really is quite 
quaint and interesting and very picturesque. And here we are in this beautiful old-fashioned town 
square in the center of Khn, right by the chatau. We decided to stop for a coffee in the 
oldest looking building on the square.   It was really very excellent and we even had a 
chat with a local resident. There it is called Laturn. It’s like something from a story 
book. The city has a very good transport network including this new modern tram system. 
tickets for which are also on the Twisto app. One of my favorite sites in KHN is the 
statue of Joan of Arp. She resides on the aptly named place de la Resistance. The 
statue is actually originally from Orurin, Algeria, where it was put up in 1931. At the 
end of colonial rule in Algeria, the statue was moved back here to France, presumably on 
this date in 1964. Now, another delight on this square and something you know I love is a giant 
sequoia redwood tree or as per its Latin name, Sequoid the Dendron Gigantium. And no, not 
small shrub to the right, but the large huge tree to the left here. It’s a beautiful specimen, 
well shaped with a perfectly luxurious crown. And as it states on the plaque, it was a gift 
from California to Khn. It certainly is an immense size, possibly up to 100 years old. 
Our next destination is Kahn’s nearby marina. This is the beginning of a much more modern 
district of the city with modern architecture   like the Bibliotech just over the road here. 
We will go to see that a little closer in a moment. The Gardan or Khan railway station is 
over there to the right. You could if you wish catch train from there to Paris or Sherborg. 
Now up close here at the Bibliotech Alexis to Tacoavville which was completed in 2016, a 
new multimedia library. And like last time, I do apologize about any of my translations. 
Behind here is a green square which I think is mostly for the university. There is then this 
lifting drawbridge as you head back into town. Really quite fascinating. It’s then coffee stop 
time underneath these beautiful trees at the end of the marina. Our final stop in KH was this large 
Catholic church which I must admit looked very like a certain other famous cathedral in Paris 
with its twin spires. Maybe you could guess which one. And if you’ve not seen that video, it’s 
on my flick bus video from Paris to London. The bells. The bells. Adjacent to this church, I found 
this beautiful garden hidden inside   this courtyard of the offices of 
the Normandy Regional Council. Finally, it’s time to dash back to the bus stop 
where we must catch the number 12. From here, opposite the turret where we first arrived. Nice and safely on board. Remember to 
activate your tickets in the Twister app. Wow, what a change of scenery. We take the bus   all the way back down here to 
the plage or the beach in Wra. A little guide over here for some of the 
local residents that you may spot on the   beach. I hope I don’t see any of them on the 
ferry later. And what better could you ask for ahead but a boardwalk out on the boardwalk 
down by the sea. Can you guess the song? So if you saw my London South Bank video, I 
actually went on the beach in London. Well,   this is a real proper beach with some gorgeous 
lovely sand and not too cold really for the last day of September. And I see once again, my hair 
has developed its wings for some extra lift. You won’t believe what’s 
down here. It’s sand. Yes,   sand on the beach. As we approach our 
next destination, it looks like some lockers are provided here on the WC’s, 
which are also conveniently on the beach. And of course, something that many come to 
Normandy for, it’s time to remember our veterans. The plage here in Ouistreham was known as Sword 
Beach in the D-Day landings. The memorial here was inaugurated by President Francois Miterand 
in 1984, 40 years after the D-Day landings. Now, let’s go inside and pay our 
respects to his stunning eternal flame. and a few saluting and 
looking out over Sword Beach. Hm. Now, who is this odd 
fellow? Maybe it’s best not ask. After all that walking, it’s time for a 
much neededed drink. Opposite the texty,   a store of many old clothes. Beer nicely finished, it’s time to scurry off and get some food. 
I enjoyed this cheeseburger and fries. C. Luckily, found somewhere also to charge my 
phone. We attempted to go to the hotel defair for a large drink before the sailing, but 
they close at 9:00 p.m. apparently despite   saying they close at 10:00 p.m. on the door. So 
instead, it’s direct here to the Port Dan. And luckily inside there is a bar and cafe. First of 
all, however, we will check in for our sailing. Check-in was nice and quick and easy. A very 
small half Guinness before sailing. A fast journey through security and then on the transfer bus to 
the ferry. And there she is just coming into view the Guil Normandy. Unlike the Monsan Michelle, she 
is registered in Mole just like the old Breton. The bus drops you off here and then you climb the 
foot bridge. This is a much much easier process   than Portsmouth since you do not have to wait 
for all the cars to board or leave the ship. The excitement increases as I cross the link span. [Applause] And welcome aboard the Guom de Normandy. Oh, I 
wonder if these are the old raceh horses from the former vessel. Passing the beautiful 
atrium on my way up the stairs. Exactly the same as that are the Santona, which you can 
see on my video of her. Now to do what I always do when boarding a ferry and head up straight 
to the top of the outside deck to get a good   overview of the port and its surroundings. The 
ship looks really clean and sparkly and new. And there it is, the classic life belt 
of the Guom Normandy Mole. And as usual, the first thing I do when I come on to a 
brand new ferry is walk up on deck. So,   welcome aboard the Guilaume Normandy. And she 
smells all nice and fresh and new with new paint. [Music] A quick view there down over the 
port of Carl. The cars are all finished loading. I like the way they have painted the walls on 
this vessel, making it look a bit more colorful.   She was delivered and entered service 
this year in 2025, April to be exact. She has the capacity for 1,310 
passengers and 460 cars. I have no idea why it was felt like that. At the 
rear is this nice undercover seating area and a few down there of the glass roof into the   atrium. above there to the front 
behind I think is the helipad. And unlike the older ships, the doors are not 
stiff and open quick and easily. And inside here are some hiding missing deck chairs. Music 
was playing in the bar. It was a nice atmosphere, but muted of course for YouTube. Pints are €6 
and they accept both UK sterling and euros at the bar. Some nice artworks on the wall. However, 
the view from the windows is not great. Restricted by the lifeboats. Sadly, a side view of the 
entertainment. However, it was really very good and a great singer. I’ve talked over the music 
in case of copyright. Myself and two friends have almost finished our drinks. The bar was relatively 
busy earlier on, but it’s now very quiet,   and I certainly never saw any cues. Well, I am 
now the last person in the bar. And now the ship is very quiet. It’s time to have a look around 
when there’s no people in the way. We begin the tour from the bar, past the stage, and the rest 
of the seating area here to the left where there   is the games room. And wow, you’re in for a treat. 
Look at the size of it compared to the one on the Monsan Michelle in my previous video. It really 
is very small. A photo booth is in there, too, in case you forgot your passport. I guess the 
children’s play area is in there to the right. Through here is all seating for the plage 
bar, which is the same bar as the other   side. The area just extends round. Down 
here there are the toilet facilities, and there is a wheelchair and 
disability friendly toilet. Further towards the bow is this 
nice little quiet seating area   which follows all the way through right 
down to the end here which is the cafe deport or the snack bar from the Monsan 
Michelle and you can see in through the   shuttered up windows. I’ll try it 
out for a coffee in the morning. This, I must admit, is a very nice touch. A 
moving map of all of Britany Ferry’s vessels. Right, it’s time now for my 
final activity of tonight,   for which I must head up the 
stairs. And regular viewers, you should know what it is by now. Have you 
guessed what it is yet? Let me know below. Heading back past the fullon deck chairs. I love that fresh air feeling out at open   sea. It’s certainly something I 
do not get back home in London. A play area is provided over here to the right. I have no idea where her flack has gone. 
An incredible view of the air and dark pitch blackness over her stern with the shiny new 
modern decks. The cars look like toys down there. And now, of course, before going to bed, 
it’s time to do what I love doing and   take a midnight stroll out on deck and 
embrace that sea air. Weirdly tonight, though, and unusually, it’s not bracing brisk 
wind. uh or ferocious waves. It’s really quite calm and still and silent and perfect time 
to take in the surroundings. Sadly though, as usual, probably because of the brightness 
of the ship, there’s not any stars visible. Behind me here is the exercise yard and exercise   bikes available free for 
use throughout the crossing. And I really do love this finishing 
touch of the Britley fairy side. Back downstairs in the womb, it’s time to 
navigate the maze of corridors to my cabin. This is on deck 7 now. Where 
on earth is it? There’s a cow on the wall here. Maybe I was in the bar too long. Oh dear. I think I’m a trifle 
lost and going around in circles. Oh, here we are. 7335. Now, will the notorious 
key cards let me in? Amazing. Incredible. It works first time. One of the strange oddities, however, 
is the LED window, which on the Santona is showing the sea. Here we’re in a rainforest. Very similar 
to the English Channel. I suppose a small desk there is provided. Remote control for the TV and 
an array of plugs as well as a useful television. I didn’t try it though on this crossing. This is 
an inside for birth reading light above the bed. More plugs there for use when you’re in bed for 
your charging your devices. And of course, I’ve   got my trusty European plug I take with me now 
everywhere as it avoids the need for taking a big heavy UK adapter. the heating or air conditioning 
control, which I must say works very well. Underneath the bed here is some kind of 
strange drawer which only part pulls out.   I have no idea what this is for. If you 
know, let me know in the comments below. The bathroom with shaving plug 
is provided, soap dispenser,   paper cup, and of course a good 
shower, which I must admit on the Elexus are really powerful and nice. The 
water temperature also seems consistent. Finally, hidden behind the room door 
is a little cupboard area and coat   hangers. The usual evacuation safety 
instructions on the door. Time now to hop into bed and get some 
much needed sleep. With that,   good night from the Guom de Normandy and the 
English Channel. I will see you in the morning. And good morning from Britany Fairies. And 
wow. Yeah, that was a very short night’s sleep. Well, after a very nice and powerful shower,   hopefully I’m ready for the 
morning. So, here we go. season. Good morning. It’s now 6:00. We hope that you have 
a restful night on board. We will be arriving in 45 minutes. Breakfast is now being served in 
our restaurant number seven as well as KT. wish you downstairs there on deck six 
are the cow pluses which is like a small capsule hotel just above the car deck 
and they cost only £12 for this crossing I went to grabs a small breakfast 
from the snack bar a cafe latte   cson and a small orange juice this cost €850. An early morning stint on deck to 
get that fresh morning air. And wow,   what a glorious red sunrise. There’s just 
time now to go through the trip costings, which count for this trip and also my previous 
trip from Portsmouth to Caen. The return Britany Ferries ticket was £26. The onboard cabin was 
£64 and the BB hotel in Ouistreham was £52. The train home £12.50. That makes a total trip price 
including the outbound bus and train of 182 under my200 budget. Now enjoy the sunrise over the 
Sten of operating of course with DFDS to Jersey and a Saga cruises very which sadly I neglected 
to write down the name of. If you know please   let me know in the comments. Please take 
your way back to your cabin. Thank you. The Saga Cruis’s vessel had also just come in from 
France and was sailing out late that day to Spain. After almost missing it, I find the 
ship’s plate. She’s whole number W275, built in Wiihigh, China. Back downstairs, but 
passengers must wait on deck 7 to depart. So, I find here the now closed duty-free store. 
Let’s go for a little walk around while we wait. Down here on deck 7, there are more 
toilets, including accessibility friendly,   and I don’t know what this strange 
temporary curtain is hung up there, but at the end is the Reverbella Alakart’s 
restaurant. And here on the wall is the menu. €1250 for a continental or €1850 for a traditional 
breakfast. As one of my regular viewers told me, I should try that one day. But alas, on this 
sailing, it’s too early for breakfast at all. Oh, and now arriving back, they turned the lights on 
inside the Juicy Free Store. Let’s go and have a   quick look so you can see inside. All of the usual 
duty-free merchandise in there. Finally, the cars have departed and we’re on the foot passengers 
transfer bus out of the ship. And that’s it. And we are off back on dry land as they say, just as 
the water runs down the window. With that, thank you for watching Carl’s Travel Channel. Please 
like, subscribe, and I’ll see you on the next one.