17.4.2025 at Ouistreham, NORMANDIE arriving from Portsmouth, soon after these photos were taken, the ship would start her very last sailing from Ouistreham back to Portsmouth with Brittany Ferries passengers. NORMANDIE was built by Kvaemer Masa-Yards in Finland and completed in 1992. the ship embarked on her maiden voyage on the 18th of May of that year. NORMANDIE has had a remarkable career with Brittany Ferries that spanned for one month short of 33 years. Throughout her career, she was cherished by millions of people, she soon became a favourite amongst passengers and crews. I remember when she was introduced she was seen as a huge ship at just over 27.000 GT. To me she was a friend, countless times I boarded the NORMANDIE from or to the UK on my business trips to Continental Europe. So many times my mood changed just to know she would be waiting for me as a means of transport. My favourite way of transport to be at sea, my greatest passion in life, passenger ships and the sea. NORMANDIE has been recently sold to "La Meridionale" and she is due to start commercial service between Marseille and Morocco in less than two months. Strongly built, with good maintenance, MASSALIA, as she will be known from now on, will still have many years in service. So, Merci my dear friend and until we meet again.

Here we see the NORMANDIE departing Ouistreham to Portsmouth, her last departure from France and the route she served with such hard work and loyalty. Photos Vitor Francisco 17.4.2025.