A familiar sight sailing across Swanage Bay in Dorset, the much loved Barfleur ferry is to permanently stop carrying passengers between Poole and Cherbourg in France, three weeks earlier than planned.
The news has disappointed many fans of the iconic Brittany Ferries vessel who had booked to take a final goodbye trip on MS Barfleur in November 2026.
MS Barfleur on Thursday 1st October 2026 making one of her last trips across Swanage Bay
Barfleur to be sold
Brittany Ferries announced in June 2026 it was scrapping the route between Poole and Cherbourg and would sell Barfleur, as part of a reallocation of resources in the face of financial pressures.
The ferry, which has served the route between Poole and Cherbourg since 1992, was expected to make her last journey from Poole on the morning of Monday 2nd November 2026.
However there has been a change of plan and the Barfleur is now required to cover the Rosslare in Ireland to Cherbourg sailings from Monday 12th October 2026, so Barfleur will be retiring early.
Brittany Ferries is also selling its ferry Cotentin which currently serves the Rosslare to Cherbourg service and has to withdraw her from service by mid-October.
A back-up vessel, the Commodore Clipper suffered a gearbox failure in September 2026, so she couldn’t cover the route, so Barfleur is to head over to Ireland.
Lit up like a Christmas tree Barfleur viewed from Swanage, returns to Poole Harbour after a day trip to France
“Early adieu to a much loved vessel”
CEO of Brittany Ferries Christophe Mathieu said:
“The reality is that, post Brexit, Rosslare to Cherbourg has become a strategically significant route for Brittany Ferries, carrying nearly 25 percent of all freight traffic, so we must prioritise.
“I know there will be disappointment with this operational change, and I apologise to all those who planned to travel from Poole in the latter half of October. We shall of course refund tickets or provide alternative travel on routes out of Portsmouth.
“It has been a privilege to serve the Poole to Cherbourg route since 1986. But we should be clear that we will still sail to Guernsey and onto France in our fast craft from Poole, even if we must say an early adieu to a much loved vessel and direct services from Poole to Cherbourg.”
The Barfleur Club Lounge rocking 1990s chic
“We have to be realistic”
For 34 years the Barfleur has crossed Swanage Bay on a regular basis during the summer, its sight reminding residents of the time and that it was either around 9 am or 9 pm.
In July 2014 there was an incident with another iconic vessel of Poole Harbour – the Sandbanks Ferry. It was reported that the chain of the chain link ferry had snapped when the Barfleur was passing.
Now as a precaution the Sandbanks Ferry waits to cross when large vessels are entering or leaving Poole Harbour.
The Covid pandemic in 2020 saw the service suspended and there was relief when the crossings resumed.
However speaking at the time of the announcement of the Poole to Cherbourg route closure, Christophe Mathieu said:
“We overcame Covid when borders were shut, we continue to wrestle with the consequences of Brexit, and we are taking steps to make a holiday in France or Spain as reasonable as possible.
“But we have to be realistic. We need to adapt and that means a plan to secure a future that will continue to bring opportunities for all those who live and work in the regions we serve.”
A much loved sight passing Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour
Sorry for the inconvenience
Brittany Ferries says that bookings on the Poole to Cherbourg had already weakened ahead of the route’s closure, but wants to stress that it is sorry for the inconvenience this will cause those who have already booked tickets.
Travel from Portsmouth will be offered to all affected customers or they can choose a refund.
Watch a classic Barfleur promotional video
Further information
- More about Brittany Ferries
