# Return: Dublin → France → Walldorf

> **Type:** Return leg
> **Target:** Home in Walldorf by ~September 2nd
> **Mode:** Ferry Dublin → France (Cherbourg or Roscoff), then drive

## Timeline
- **Aug 30 (Sat):** College football at Aviva Stadium
- **Aug 31 (Sun):** Possible Bon Jovi concert — stay in Dublin
- **Sep 1 (Mon):** Ferry Dublin → France (overnight or daytime)
- **Sep 2 (Tue):** Drive France → Walldorf (~900–1,100 km depending on port)

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## Ferry Options: Dublin to France

### Stena Line / Irish Ferries: Dublin or Rosslare → Cherbourg
- **Irish Ferries Dublin → Cherbourg:** ~19h crossing, overnight. Departs evening, arrives next morning.
- **Irish Ferries Rosslare → Cherbourg:** ~17h. Rosslare is 2h south of Dublin.
- **Brittany Ferries Rosslare → Roscoff:** ~17h overnight. Roscoff is in Brittany; slightly shorter drive home.

**Recommendation:** **Dublin → Cherbourg** with Irish Ferries. Depart evening Sep 1, arrive Cherbourg morning Sep 2. Drive home from Cherbourg is ~1,000 km (via Paris, Metz, Strasbourg → Walldorf), approximately 9–10h.

Book at [irishferries.com](https://www.irishferries.com).

### EV on the Ferry
- Cabins available and strongly recommended for overnight crossings
- **Cannot charge on the ferry** — arrive in Cherbourg ready to charge first thing
- **Cherbourg has Tesla Supercharger and Ionity** — charge before hitting the autoroute south

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## Drive: Cherbourg → Walldorf (~1,000 km, ~9–10h)

| Segment | Route | Notes |
|---------|-------|-------|
| Cherbourg → Paris | A84 / N13 → A13 | ~350 km; charge at Caen or Chartres |
| Paris → Strasbourg | A4 | ~490 km; charge at Metz or Nancy |
| Strasbourg → Walldorf | A5 south | ~130 km; easy final leg |

### EV Charging: France
France has excellent autoroute charging — Ionity and Tesla Superchargers at most major service areas (Aires).
- **Caen** — Good Ionity charger on the A84
- **Metz** — Multiple rapid chargers on A4 corridor
- **Strasbourg** — Tesla SC and Ionity before the final push to Walldorf

Use [Chargemap](https://chargemap.com) or ABRP for live routing — French autoroute services are generally reliable.

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## Alternative: Rosslare → Roscoff (Brittany Ferries)
If you prefer arriving in Brittany:
- Roscoff → Paris → Strasbourg → Walldorf is similar total distance (~1,050 km)
- Brittany Ferries has good cabin/lounge options
- Book at [brittany-ferries.co.uk](https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk)

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## Practical Info
- **Book Dublin → France ferry as soon as possible** — late August sailings fill up
- **Eurotunnel is not an option** on this return route (you'd need to go via UK, which adds a crossing)
- **French motorway tolls:** Budget ~€60–80 Cherbourg to Walldorf. Card payment (Visa/Mastercard) works at all tollbooths — no special tag needed.
- **German fuel:** If your EV has range to spare, no action needed; otherwise final top-up in France is fine (French electricity is cheap — nuclear grid)

## Links
- [Irish Ferries](https://www.irishferries.com)
- [Brittany Ferries](https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk)
- [Chargemap](https://chargemap.com)
- [A Better Route Planner](https://abetterrouteplanner.com)