27 June 2013
Caught the cycling bug and want to be at the heart of the Tour de France? This
July you can by walking onto a ferry at Portsmouth International Port and stepping right into the action in St. Malo.
With Britain in the midst of a cycling boom, interest has never been higher in the world’s most exciting bike race. Portsmouth International Port is the perfect place to head to if you’re keen on seeing the cyclists in the flesh. Planning though is essential to make the most of the experience.
Clued up cycling fans will already have July 9th in their diaries, with a stage that takes the teams on a near 200 km trip north from Saint-Gildas-des-Bois on the Loire
Atlantic coast to St Malo in Brittany. The sprint finish into the picturesque town, beneath the famous ramparts, is sure to be a highlight of the tour. Luckily Brittany
Ferries has a service to St Malo this summer, with timings that work perfectly for the tour.
Leaving Portsmouth at 2015 on Monday 8th July, you can get a comfortable cabin on board, waking up in St Malo at 0815 the next morning. With the race stage due to finish in the historic town later in the afternoon there’s plenty of time for lunch and a chance to secure a great spot to see the finish. With foot passenger fares starting at just £23 for overnight travel return it’s a great value way of being part of the big race.
The 21 stages take in large areas of the country, but the routes through Brittany offer a perfect opportunity for British cycling fans to see the famous race in person.
With ferry routes from Portsmouth to Cherbourg, Le Havre and St Malo there’s every chance of seeing a stage, without hours of driving through France or a trip to the airport.
After St Malo the teams set up camp along the coast at Mont Saint-Michel, for another day that organisers promise will be spectacular. It’s a short sprint stage on
July 10th, with riders making the 33 km journey from Avranches back to Mont Saint-
Michel in less than an hour. There’s plenty of opportunity to see the action along the route, although the finish in front of France’s second most popular tourist attraction is sure to be the most popular spot.

On July 11th the action shifts to Fougères, a short drive inland from St Malo. This is where the riders start a 218 km journey southwest, on a series of stages that will take them towards Lyon. The start line will be beneath the walls of an 11th century feudal castle, in a town that sits on the edge of a beautiful forest.
DFDS Seaways also has crossings that are more than convenient for cycling fans.
For example, passengers can leave Portsmouth International Port at 2300 on
Monday 8th July, arriving in Le Havre at 0800 the next morning - perfect for a day of sightseeing and race watching.
Notes to editors:
Brittany Ferries sailing leaves Portsmouth International Port 2015 on Monday 8 th July.
Arrives at St Malo at 0815 on Tuesday 9 th July.
Departs St Malo for Portsmouth International Port at 2030 on 9 th July.
Tour expected to arrive mid afternoon.