Sail Into Romance: France's Most Romantic Escapes Are Closer Than You Think
Valentine's Day is nearly upon us and if you're anything like me, you've left the 'romantic getaway planning' to approximately… right now. Don't panic. There's still time to pull off something genuinely special. And by special, I mean getting on a ferry, leaving the school lunches behind, and sailing off into actual French romance with your other half.
Irish Ferries has put together what can only be described as a love letter to couples who fancy something a bit different this year. Forget the usual dinner-and-a-film routine (lovely as it is). We're talking cobbled streets, oysters by candlelight, fairytale châteaux and glasses of champagne overlooking vineyards. The kind of trip that makes you remember why you liked each other in the first place.
The Journey Is Part of the Romance
Here's the thing about sailing to France with Irish Ferries. The romance doesn't start when you arrive. It starts the moment you step aboard the W.B. Yeats from Dublin. You can settle into a Deluxe or Premium suite cabin, pour yourselves a glass of bubbles and watch the Irish coastline disappear behind you. No airport queues. No baggage limits. No frantically removing your belt at security while someone tuts behind you.
You arrive in Cherbourg refreshed and ready to explore. And because you've brought the car, you're free to wander wherever the mood takes you. Which brings us to the good stuff.
Where to Go Once You're There
Nora Costello from Irish Ferries (who clearly has excellent taste in French towns) has shared her top Valentine's picks. All of them are within driving distance of Cherbourg, and all of them will make your Instagram followers deeply jealous.
Honfleur is a little over two hours from the port and it's the kind of place that makes you want to hold hands and sigh contentedly. Cobbled streets, pastel-coloured buildings, a gorgeous harbour. You can wander the Vieux Bassin at dusk, find a quiet spot for oysters and scallops with champagne, and pretend you're in a French film. Art lovers will appreciate the galleries inspired by Boudin and Monet. The rest of us will appreciate the wine.
Chantilly is about four and a half hours from Cherbourg but absolutely worth the drive. The Château de Chantilly sits in 115 acres of gardens and looks exactly like somewhere a proposal should happen. There are forests for walking, markets for browsing and candlelit restaurants for… well, you know. And yes, this is where Chantilly cream comes from. I don't need to tell you twice.
Angers and the Loire Valley offer a mix of medieval history and wine country romance. The Château d'Angers is home to the famous Apocalypse Tapestry (more beautiful than it sounds) and the surrounding area is perfect for vineyard visits and sunset picnics. It's about four hours from the port.
If you want something even more dramatic, Mont-Saint-Michel is roughly two and a half hours away. That UNESCO World Heritage island rising out of the tidal flats? Unforgettable at sunrise. Absolutely proposal material if that's on the cards.
For coastal romance, try Saint-Malo, Dinard and Dinan. This Breton trio delivers everything from ramparts and Belle Époque glamour to medieval streets. And Deauville and Trouville are elegant seaside towns known for long beach walks and oyster bars. All of them are within two to three hours of Cherbourg.
French Food for the Soul
Let's be honest. Half the reason we go to France is for the food. And when it comes to romance, the French have it figured out. Oysters, foie gras, figs, dark chocolate, honey, champagne… these aren't just delicious, they're basically love on a plate. Eaten slowly, together, preferably with a view.
Irish Ferries has actually put together a Romantic France Guide with even more inspiration for food and travel. You can find it at www.irishferries.com/Destinations-A-Deux if you want to do some proper planning (or just daydream while the kids are at school).
Fares start from €301 one way from Dublin to Cherbourg for a car and two adults with an inside cabin. You can book at www.irishferries.com or call 0818 300 400.
Look. Life as a mum is busy. Chaotic. Often exhausting. But every now and then, you deserve to be somewhere beautiful with the person you love, eating something delicious and not thinking about what's for dinner tomorrow. France is calling. The ferry is ready. Go.