Up to 2,000 British holidaymakers and other travellers were stranded in Calais on Sunday night after French ferry workers blockaded the port on one of the busiest nights of the year, reports The Telegraph.
Protesters reported used two lifeboats to circle the port exit to prevent vessels entering or leaving the terminal.
The August Bank Holiday weekend is one of the busiest times of the year with thousands of Britons returning home from summer breaks or long weekend trips.
The action is a major headache for families trying to return home with many children due to return to school on Tuesday.
One transport source said the action had been deliberately timed to cause maximum impact and came ahead of a planned visit to the port on Monday by the French prime minister Manuel Valls.
Mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart said she regretted that the port was being taken "hostage" as travellers were urged to contact their operator before setting off.
Operator DFDS Seaways said its Malo Seaways ship was waiting for permission to enter the Port of Calais.