| THE ORIGINAL BAR (LATER 'LE MOULIN À MER') |
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| ABOVE & BELOW: Two views of the stylish old bar in its original guise. The red/dark wood colour scheme gives a sober, impressive air to this saloon, the overall impression being distinctly 1970s. The upholstery of the 'eggcup' style seats is the same as that used originally for the (different design) seats in the old forward restaurant. Of particular interest is the large mural visible on the aft bulkhead. |
| ABOVE: A near-identical view after an early Brittany Ferries refit (mid-1980s, this picture first appearing in the Spain 1987 brochure). As in the aft cafeteria, Brittany's interior designers have successfully robbed the bar of much of its original charm. Although the basis of the bar remains and the bar stools as well as the original tables have survived, the eggcup seating has gone, replaced by rather conventional chairs. The mural on the aft bulkhead appears to have been superseded by a large mirror whilst a pair of large circular light fittings on either side have replaced the originals which were similar in design to those in the original fitting of the cafeteria (although rather more sober in colour). |
| BELOW: (left) A view forward showing the location of the area's central feature in the Quiberon days, the large carving (below right) of what appears to be a miller. Located actually in the small lobby between Le Moulin à Mer and Le Ponant bar, it ties in with the 'Watermill' theme of the former. |
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| As built the area on the starboard side of the main passenger deck, aft of the main restaurant, was the main bar. Completed in reds and dark wood panelling, it was fitted with bar counter stools and small, low-backed chairs around an arrangement of small circular tables. The major refit of 1990 (and the creation of the new bar forward, Le Ponant) saw this area transformed into a new Salon de thé, named Le Moulin à Mer. Little of the original bar was left after this change, although the servery took the place of the old bar counter. Prior to this refit, a small separate Salon de thé had been fitted at the stop of the stairwell on the same deck, just adjacent to what had previously been the entrance to the bar. |
| BELOW: A similar shot of the area in 2002, showing the major transformation achieved with the conversion to Le Moulin à Mer'. Little can be seen that directly translates to the previous pictures, although the servery area appears to merely be the old bar, albeit completely refitted. More new seating, new tables, new light fittings, new artwork combine to make the area pretty much unrecognisable. Much use of shiny metal and mirrors makes the whole thing a photographer's nightmare! Survivors of the refit elsewhere appear to have been some of the original small circular tables, which make an appearance in the new bar forward. |
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| e-mail: matt@hhvferry.com |
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| ABOVE & BELOW: Two views of the former Salon de thé as it was on board the Giulia d'Abundo in 2006. |
| ABOVE & BELOW: Looking forward (above) and aft into the former Le Moulin à Mer on the Giulia d'Abundo, showing the entrance to Le Ponant bar. The miller carving was removed when the ship left Brittany Ferries service. |