History of mv Pont-Aven

The Pont-Aven is Brittany Ferries' fantastic new £100m flagship ferry, launched in March 2004, setting new standards in passenger ferry travel. The largest vessel in the Brittany Ferries' fleet, the 41,000 tonne Pont-Aven is also the largest ferry operating out of Northern Europe, and can carry 2400 passengers and 650 cars.

Facilities on mv Pont-Aven

Cruising on the Pont-Aven is like taking a holiday in itself, but not only does the ship offer a luxurious experience with its excellent facilities, it has also dramatically improved sailing times to Spain and France. Crossing time to Santander has now been cut to only 20 hours, almost half that of competitors, and sailing times between Plymouth, Roscoff and Cork are also dramatically reduced.

The Pont-Aven's facilities simply can't be matched by any ferry sailing to northern Spain. It boasts stunning features including a pool and leisure area with a glass roof, a wrap around promenade for pleasant deck strolls, a dramatic five deck high atrium with panoramic views from the lifts, and outstanding accommodation.  All 650 cabins are air-conditioned with en-suite facilities, and the accommodation is of the same high standard you would expect from a quality hotel.

Delicious dining can be enjoyed in the main à la carte restaurant "Le Flora", self service restaurant and the cafe, and there are a host of entertainment options including stylish shopping malls, cocktail and cabaret bars, two cinemas and special leisure areas for younger passengers.

The Town of Pont-Aven

The Pont-Aven is named after a delightful small town in Brittany, also known as the 'cité des peintres', because it has always attracted artists to sketch its picturesque scenery. Monet and Gaugin both painted here, and the Pont-Aven ship celebrates the heritage of its namesake through its stylish furnishings in the town's colours and by decorating its walls with paintings of its scenery. It even boasts a beautiful Gaugin painting.

About the Construction

The Pont-Aven, was first commissioned on 22 February 2002, when Brittany Ferries signed a letter of intent with the Meyer Werft shipyward in Papenburg, Germany. Founded in 1795, Meyer Werft was building wooden ships until 1874, when the yard switched – amid huge local protests – to building "new-fangled" iron ships.

Her keel was laid on the 9 April 2003, and on the 13 September Alex Gourvennec, Michel Maraval and Henri-Jean Lebeau pressed a button allowing 100 million litres of water to flood the construction dock, allowing the Pont-Aven to go afloat. The ship was then moved to the front of the dock where final construction and outfitting was completed.

She left the Meyer Werft shipyard on 7 February 2004 to conduct sea trials in the North Sea, where she recorded impressive speeds of over 28 knots. After these successful trials, the ship was formally handed over to Brittany Ferries on 27 February 2004, prior to sailing to Brest.

Into service...

The Pont-Aven first arrived in Plymouth on 11 March 2004, and she sailed into the harbour as the Val de Loire departed on her penultimate voyage to Santander. The two ships passed each other with cheers and whistles from the crowd, which had gathered to celebrate the new arrival in the port.

After docking in the port for almost two weeks, allowing the public and press to board the ship, she set sail for Santander on 24 March, and crowds lined Plymouth harbour to cheer her on her maiden voyage. Further maiden voyages included her journey to Roscoff, which included a reception on 27 March, and the 2 April crossing to Cork. On 26 April her naming ceremony took place in Roscoff.

The Pont-Aven has proved a great success with passengers and press alike, and its high-quality service has confirmed Brittany Ferries' position as the leading ferry operator on the western channel.