Caen Ferry - update
Any updates on disruption around the ferry port at Ouistreham as we are booked later in the summer? Last news was that there was disruption due to people attempting to board vehicles and enter the UK.
We normally stay at the site in the town (Belle Rive) but are dubious as to the security situation.
Thanks
Comments
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For the last year or so there have been groups of young men who cannot afford to pay the people smugglers trying to get into unlocked outbound lorries at Ouistreham ferry port. Security is tight and there are significant police patrols in the town and vehicle searches before departure.
Many thousands of tourists have travelled in and out of the port unharmed, with no reports of violence or robberies. The majority of visitors see and accept the sorry situation as it is and take normal precautions, but some of a more nervous disposition are spooked and frightened by it all.
The nearby campsite employs night time security but there are alternative campsites further away if you prefer. The Motorhome Aire in the town is not currently recommended.
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never seen any of the above on the Poole-Cherbourg route....use it regularly....security is/seems pretty good at Cherbourg and the ferry cost is usually a little lower that at Caen....other than on the caravan free routes....
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Thanks for the re-assurance ET and Harry.
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Hi,we were on the afternoon Portsmouth to Caen ferry last Thursday and there were no problems at all at the port. There was a gendarme presence in Ouistreham & we did see a couple of poor immigrants, but not even a hint of any problems. We stayed overnight at the Riva Bella campsite & again, there were no problems there. I hope this helps anyone who is about to travel.
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We travelled back from Caen 8th May. A high police presence and many vehicles checked, security had obviously been tightened since our last use of that route, August last year when we see p saw a number of migrants evicted from lorries.
Didn't feel personally threatened in either case.
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Security levels have been raised everywhere. Coming back using Eurotunnel three weeks ago we were searched by armed soldiers - who did a fairly thorough job of each vehicle.
Still they get through, and my friend with a caravan on a site near Knaresborough witnessed a lorry parked up at the bottom of the lane discharging a group of young men who obviously were not the official cargo. She reported the vehicle number.............. but hasn't heard anything back.
Our most intesting personal experience was behind a lorry unloading at Calais - which was stopped in front of us, and a group of young African looking men appeared in the back. Perhaps they'd had enough of 'the good life' in the Uk and were being smuggled back to where they'd come from!
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Arrived at Riva Bella last night 4th June. Not one migrant in site near the docks, in the town or near the site. Four police cars at points in town.
Night ferry arrival. Site says book n pay on line. You are ushered throught the gates with no waiting. Otherwise wait in queue and it was long
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Thanks Harry good advice. Enjoy your holiday.
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We stayed at Riva Bella Sun 3rd June and sailed Mon 4th on 08.30 ferry. The tents on the canal bank near the site's pedestrian gate that I saw in April have gone. When we arrived Sun afternoon, there were several 'migrants' under the trees near the roundabout on the approach road. When leaving site at 7am, there were about 20 playing football under the same trees. No issues whatsoever on site. NeighbouringUK caravan had been there 3 nights and walked the dog offsite without any issues from them.
At the port awaiting the ferry, caravan was checked internally by security, and was also checked at passport control in Portsmouth, which was causing some waiting in queues.
Surprisingly, we saw one 'migrant' walking around the lanes on the port, near 5 buses of French school kids. Not sure how he evaded security at check-in.
Riva Bella was about 1/3rd full on the Sunday night.
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I have been out and back though Caen in the last week, and stayed at Riva Bella both times. The site is absoutely fine. Excellent check in arrangements, refurbished toilets and absolutely no hassle. As for the port the local gendarmerie have the approach roads and in particular the area before the embarkation area totally secure. No need for anyone to feel worried. Dont worry about using the route , there is no hassle , and USE RIVA BELLA WITH CONFIDENCE!
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On the boat Portsmouth bound from Caen this morning. There were a number of migrants hanging around on the roundabouts approaching the port but nothing like the numbers that Calais experienced. Normal gendarme activity that you would expect around the gate and a small number of military personnel also present. Security checks no more than normal, so anybody planning to use Caen need not have any worries judging by our experience this morning
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On the other hand we came across from Plymouth last night and arrived in Roscoff this morning - no delays, no searches, no police with guns, no illegals in sight, no traffic, and no tolls for the first 200 miles of motorway to crossing the Loire. What's not to like?
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Its alright for you ET as you are in Cornwall but I took a look as we are thinking of starting our next holiday in Brittany and a single fare for us works out £100 dearer than Portsmouth/Caen plus we have a long drive to Plymouth.
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Not if you live ten minutes from the Rudmore roundabout, it isn't.
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