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Volcanic islands and historic cities of the North Atlantic

LE POINT editorial cruise, with featured guest Etienne Gernelle, LE POINT CEO and his guests.

From the volcanic archipelagos of the Canaries and Madeira to the southern tip of Portugal, PONANT invites you on an unforgettable 11-day interlude, between Las Palmas and Lisbon. This journey aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville will take you into the heart of uniquely and wildly beautiful landscapes, featuring majestic volcanos, lush green valleys, isolated inlets, verdant cliffs and historic cities with multiple sources of heritage.  

Your cruise will start on the island of Gran Canaria in Las Palmas, then your ship will take to the sea, sailing west to reach Santa Cruz de Tenerife. In these lands of a thousand contrasts, dominated by the emblematic silhouette of the Teide stratovolcano, discover the unique and fascinating landscapes found in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teide National Park.

Le Dumont-d'Urville will then drop anchor at La Gomera. This tiny island with lush vegetation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its biosphere reserve. This island is also renowned for its whistling language,?Silbo, that the inhabitants use to communicate from one valley to another. 

Next, Santa Cruz de La Palma will invite you to spend a moment suspended in time. Here, the accent is on authenticity and tranquillity as you succumb to the charms of its unspoilt nature and its unusual architectural heritage featuring traditional Canarian houses with brightly-coloured wooden balconies, sumptuous palaces, and religious buildings.

Your ship will then set a course northward to carry you to Madeira, a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. On this steep island covered in luxuriant vegetation, the variety of landscapes, including sheer cliffs, levadas (Madeiran aqueducts), banana plantations, and the laurel forest - Laurisilva - listed with UNESCO, never ceases to amaze visitors.  

Your exploration will continue in the Algarve region at the country's southern tip. Bewitching Lagos stands proud like a fortress in hues of ochre and orange, bordered by the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. In this town of nature and culture, stroll in the paved small streets of the historic centre whose Moorish and Portuguese influences create a delightful blend.

Further north, you will head towards the surprising and picturesque mediaeval city of Setúbal. Surrounded by vast parks and nature reserves featuring abundant biodiversity, between the Sado Estuary and the Serra da Arrábda whose waters shelter many dolphins, you will also fall under the charm of the historic heritage of this authentic fishing town.

Your cruise will come to an end in Lisbon, sitting on the Tagus River, distilling its one-of-a-kind charm imbued with rich history.

Pearls of The Society Islands

A vast expanse dotted with some one hundred heavenly islets and idyllic atolls bathing in stunning, translucent lagoons with a rich marine biodiversity, French Polynesia invites you for an enchanting, intriguing and captivating interlude.

Set sail from Papeete aboard Le Paul Gauguin for an exceptional 8-day cruise to discover the gems of the Society Islands, including extraordinary landscapes and captivating historical and cultural treasures. The perfect introduction to the picture-perfect charms of the South Pacific, this wonderful cruise whisks you away to destinations that played muse for authors James A. Michener, Herman Melville, painters Paul Gauguin and Henri Matisse, and many more.

The sweet scent of vanilla and Tahitian gardenias bewitches you and your dreams of escape and contemplation now seem within hand's reach. Marvel at the beauty of Huahine; the cradle of Polynesian culture on the mythical island of Raiatea; the majestic ballet of the colourful fish undulating through the turquoise waters of motu Mahana, our small, private paradise steeped in the scent of vanilla; and Bora Bora's stunning lagoon and distinctive volcanic silhouette.

Before disembarking in Papeete, feast your eyes on the incomparable beauty of Moorea.

Discover our excursions without further delay - click here!

Journey along Celtic shores

With featured guests Marc Brincourt, former photo editor of PARIS MATCH and Pierrick Geais, writer, author and journalist for Paris Match.

With landscapes ranging from verdant moors to the majestic lakes of the Highlands and cliffs sculpted by the elements of the Scottish Isles, the British archipelago invites you to escape and revel in calm and tranquillity... Along the beautiful shores of the Irish and North seas, board LeLyrial for an unforgettable 8-day cruise to these lands of legend where fortified castles, neolithic sites and geological wonders will immerse you in a world brimming with magic.

From?Dublin, the Irish capital brimming with convivial atmosphere and authentic charm,?Le Lyrial will take you to Belfast, where you can visit the?Giant's Causeway. This massive geological formation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features over 40,000 basalt columns. 

You will then sail towards Fort William. This harbour town on the shores of Loch Linnhe is steeped in Scottish history and tradition, close to the beautiful and spectacular scenery of Glencoe.

Then, you will call at the Hebrides in Stornoway, the island's main town, built by the Vikings in the 9th century stands one of Scotland's most prominent prehistoric sites: The Standing Stones of Callanish.

Le Lyrial will sail towards Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands, where numerous seabirds, such as gannets and European shags, have taken up residence.

Your journey will continue towards the eastern Highlands to reach Invergordon, the gateway to the legendary and mythical Loch Ness. You will be captivated by its natural riches, including bare moors, verdant glens, majestic lochs and deep forests.

The last stage of your cruise will take you to Aberdeen. Its magnificent coast, boasting a remarkable nature reserve and majestic castles nearby, make Scotland's third largest city, full of Gothic charm, an exceptional port of call.

Finally, you will reach Edinburgh, city of history and labelled city of literature by UNESCO, your port of disembarkation.

Japan, natural archipelago and secular heritage

With featured guest Christine Ockrent, journalist specialising in French and international news and geopolitical questions, author of some fifteen books.

With this brand-new itinerary, PONANT is inviting you aboard Le Jacques-Cartier for a unique expedition cruise between Kagoshima and Kobe. A magical 9-day trip to discover some of the natural gems and ancestral heritage of western Kyushu, as well as picturesque villages in the Seto Inland Sea, the theatre of many battles and historic events that have shaped its myth and grandeur over time and with the ebb and flow of the tides.  

After setting sail from Kagoshima, a bustling city nestling between ancient forests and majestic volcanoes, Le Jacques-Cartier will travel westward to reach the fascinating Koshikijima Islands.

Aboard one of our inflatable dinghies, admire the raw and authentic beauty composed of monumental cliffs and huge rock formations dating back to the Cretaceous period, nearly 80 million years ago. You will be captivated by these landscapes unlike any other.

Between the Yatsushiro and Ariake seas, off the coast of Nagasaki, succumb to the charms of the island region of Amakusa, once the refuge of Christians fleeing the ban on Catholicism in the 17th century during the Edo period.  In Sakitsu, you will have the privilege of immersing yourself in this ancestral heritage, particularly as you visit the emblematic UNESCO-listed church. Christian heritage can also be found further north, in the Goto Islands, on Kamigoto Island. Here, each small town bears traces of this influence that is still very much present, as evidenced by the many religious buildings dotting Kamigoto.

Then you will sail to South Korea, a small peninsula that juts out into the Sea of Japan, and discover Busan, South Korea's second city. A place of great contrasts, Busan offers a spectacular view over its port, as well as over the ancient district of Chalgachi.

Back in Japan, you will set out to discover Moji, on the northern tip of the island of Kyushu. In the past a strategic site for maritime trade with China, this stunning city of picturesque little streets will enthral you with its preserved architectural heritage evoking the traditional Japan of the Meiji era and the end of the 19th century. From the top of the Mojiko Retro Observation Room, you will be able to enjoy an exceptional panorama, a poetic combination of shinto sanctuaries and captivating maritime landscapes.

After a trip aboard one of our zodiac inflatables, in the picturesque fishing villages of Shimokamagari and Mitarai, you will head to Onomichi, a charming coastal town surrounded by green hills and home to a large number of temples and emblematic shrines, including the Senk?-ji, Saikoku-ji, and J?do-ji temples. Then, you will visit Tomonoura, known for its gentle way of life and its craggy landscapes, which inspired the artist Hayao Miyazaki for the animated film Ponyo.

Finally, for a grand finale, your journey will end in Kobe, your disembarkation port.

Inuit spring of Ammassalik

With featured guest Cindy Miller Hopkins, American Photo Ambassador.

After the long winter, a thick coat of ice preserves the shores of the East coast of Greenland. These shores have long been coveted by the great explorers and approaching them means being in tune with powerful yet fragile nature; only the present matters here. AboardLe Commandant Charcot, designed for polar exploration, you will explore the hypnotic and icy landscapes of the Ammassalik and Blossevilleregions. You will respectfully access these exceptional lands, which are inaccessible to traditional ships during the spring. The uncertainty here offers surprises and immaqa (perhaps, in Inuktitut) moments frozen in time. As is taught by Inuit wisdom, life thrives on the present moment.

The colourful traditional houses make the isolated villages stand out in the surrounding whiteness. The Inuit (men, in Inuktitut) follow the rhythm of the changing seasons and the ice, as they perpetuate their traditions, such as hunting on dog sleds. An outing alongside the last hunters of the polar region will have you intoxicated by various sensations aboard this ancient means of transport. Among the first outside visitors of the season, you will be warmly welcomed by the community. During privileged exchanges mixed with joyful and authentic moments, you will learn about the village customs on the ice floe. Inuit hospitality is no myth, it is given in the warmth of a look or an exchanged smile.

As the midnight sun illuminates the white desert and the calving glaciers, you will walk through different states and forms of ice, a constantly evolving spectacle. Aboard LeCommandant Charcot or on the ice floe, you will have opportunities for exploration among the fields of ice and the scenery of the hummocks that are as sublime as they are chaotic. You will enjoy an outing by kayak or zodiac in a polynya (area of open water surrounded by ice), or a polar hike to approach the icebergs caught in the ice floe. From the enveloping refuge of the ship, you will be able to admire a flock of eiders flying above the horizon, a majestic blue whale hugging the waves, or the great nanuk - the polar bear - and its impressive silhouette.

On the East coast of Greenland, all notions of time and distance are forgotten. The only thing that counts is the intensity of the moment spent in the heart of the ice. "Delight in what comes up", as Sylvain Tesson wrote in The Velvet Queen.

Find out more about the world of Le Commandant Charcot here!

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions.?Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice?must?be?preserved, we will take this into account from day to day in our itineraries.?The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for each departure.?The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO. 

The Mediterranean: in the Footsteps of Great Civilizations

In springtime, as the flowers pepper the landscapes with their bright colours and the sun illuminates the decor with its soft light, PONANT invites you on an exquisite interlude in the Mediterranean, between Valletta and Antalya. During a unique 11-day journey, set off aboard L'Austral to discover the riches of the Mediterranean Sea, a link between peoples, a crossroads of civilisations.

Southern Italy promises suspended moments where the beauty of the shores combines with the beauty of its historical remnants, which remain fascinating. In Syracuse, the Sicilian soul unfolds across the island of Ortygia - the oldest part of the city -, a maze of small streets dotted with churches, palaces, ancient remnants, sheltering a majestic cathedral in its very heart. In Puglia, Gallipoli, meaning "beautiful town" in Greek, reveals its Hellenic origins and offers up its singular atmosphere, where life is good.

In the tranquillity of May, you will discover Greece as you have never seen it. From the mountainous island of Corfu, you will arrive in the small port of Itea from where it is possible to visit the mythical site of Delphi or even the Hosios Loukas monastery, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After crossing the Corinth Canal, you will be welcomed by Athens and its famous acropolis, and the remains of the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion, for an unforgettable port of call. From Volos, Greece will never cease to surprise you: in Thessaly, the formation known as the Meteora hosts Eastern Orthodox monasteries that rub shoulders with the sky and are at one with the rock. 

Kusadasi opens the gateway to Turkey and its treasures. The Ephesus archaeological site will tell you the great history of the Mediterranean, through this ancient city, among the oldest in the Magna Graecia of Asia Minor. From Alanya, you will explore two other majestic ancient sites, Perga and Aspendos, before arriving in Antalya, the end of your cruise.

The Hebrides archipelago, a journey deep into the heart of the wilderness

PONANT invites you on a brand-new 10-day cruise aboard Le Boréal for an extraordinary journey featuring the archaeological sites and sumptuous scenery of northern Scotland, on the edge of the Highlands, in the heart of the dreamlike and mysterious Hebrides archipelago.

From?Dublin, the Irish capital brimming with convivial atmosphere and authentic charm, your ship will then take you to the?Isle of Man, located between the United Kingdom and Ireland, with a clear Celtic and Viking heritage. The capital Douglas is an authentic postcard from United Kingdom of yesteryear with a Victorian atmosphere. 

Then you will call in Portrush, where you can visit the Giant's Causeway. This massive geological formation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features over 40,000 basalt columns. 

You will then reach Rathlin Island, a small and austere territory in County Antrim, whose sheer cliffs are home to Northern Ireland's largest seabird colony. Near the surprising upside-down lighthouse, located on the west of the island, you will be able to visit the RSPB seabird centre.

Then you will set sail towards the Hebrides archipelago. Located to the west of Scotland, it has around 150 islands and will reveal its diversity to you over various all-new ports of call.

You will make a stop on Iona, the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland, home to an impressive abbey, and probably where the Book of Kells was produced. Then, you will enjoy sailing along Staffa Island and its impressive basalt columns and will reach the volcanic territory of  Lunga, in the Treshnish Isles. The small island is a protected area for seabirds and home to colonies of puffins and guillemots among others. You will continue your exploration of the Inner Hebrides on the Isle of Skye. With their granite hills and heather moorlands, the landscapes of Loch Scavaig are among the wildest in the Highlands and will be an opportunity for an unforgettable walk at Loch Coruisk. Canna, a charming islet inhabited by twenty or so souls and nicknamed "the garden of the Hebrides", will unveil itself, with its Christian, Celtic, Nordic and Scottish vestiges, in a natural setting of great beauty, a sanctuary for rich marine birdlife. 

You will continue to the Outer Hebrides and you will discover Callanish on the Isle of Lewis. This all-new port of call will take you back in time to between 2900 and 2600 BC, the period during which the island's megalithic site would have been created... Before the circle of standing stones, aligned with the cardinal points, the mystery remains entire, the emotion is palpable.

Your ship will then cruise towards Ullapool on the shore of Loch Broom in the western Highlands. This former herring fishing port boasts a picturesque atmosphere made up of white cottages and colourful fishermen's boats

From the small port of Lochmaddy, the island of North Uist can be explored via its prehistoric sites and the large diversity of landscapes that exist in the Balranald Nature Reserve, between vast sandy beaches, rocky foreshore, wild marshes and sculpted dunes.

Then Le Boréal will set sail towards Rothesay, an elegant Victorian seaside resort on the Isle of Bute. Constructed around its 13th-century castle, the small town brims with charm, with its fine dwellings in the extravagant Georgian architectural style, and its sumptuous wild and landscaped gardens.

Finally, you will reach Glasgow, your disembarkation port.

Shetland, Orkney & Hebrides

From Edinburgh to Glasgow, PONANT brings you aboard Le Bellot for an exceptional cruise to Celtic lands following an 8-day itinerary along the magnificent Scottish archipelagos of Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands and Hebrides Islands.

Departing from Edinburgh, city of history and labelled city of literature by UNESCO, you will first call at the port of Lerwick in the Shetland Islands. This port is well known because just a few kilometres inland lie the remarkable ruins of Scalloway Castle, built in 1600.

You will then head for the Orkney archipelago and its windswept moorland landscape. Le Bellot will sail towards Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands, where numerous seabirds, such as gannets and European shags, have taken up residence.

You will also discover the Isle of Skye, known for its rich Gaelic culture, its famous bridge, and its stunning scenery, Stornoway, the largest city in the Hebrides with a warm and friendly atmosphere.

You will then sail towards Fort William. This harbour town on the shores of Loch Linnhe is steeped in Scottish history and tradition, close to the beautiful and spectacular scenery of Glencoe.

Finally, you will reach Glasgow, Scotland's warm cultural capital with a rich artistic and architectural heritage, your disembarkation port.

Celtic Secrets & Landscapes

PONANT invites you aboard Le Champlain for a 8-day cruise to discover the British and Irish treasures along the coastlines of the Channel and the Celtic and Irish seas. 

From London, the cosmopolitan capital of the United Kingdom boasting a rich historical heritage and an exceptional avant-garde art scene, Le Champlain will set a course eastward through the waters of the mythical Channel to reach the Isle of Portland. Succumb to the charms of this limestone-rich island covered in lush vegetation. Here, serenityand a gentle way of life reign.

You will then sail along the Jurassic Coast. Listed as World Heritage by UNESCO due to the importance of its geology, this coastal region will offer you an exceptional panorama composed of spectacular rock formations, lush hills, small, wild inlets and gorgeous sand or pebble beaches.

Then, you will make your way to Dartmouth, a charming town tucked away in the heart of the stunning décor formed by the mouth of the Dart. You will discover its old pastel-coloured fishermen's houses and some half-timbered buildings.

Your ship will then sail towards the Isles of Scilly, a strange little archipelago whose landscapes seem to have come straight out of Enid Blyton's famous story, The Rockingdown Mystery. Here, long sandy beaches lie alongside green fields, while ruins of old castles stand proud on hilltops.

Next, Le Champlain will sail towards Dublin, the Irish capital brimming with convivial atmosphere and authentic charm.

Before you disembark in Glasgow, your ship will call at Belfast, where you can visit the Giant's Causeway. This massive geological formation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features over 40,000 basalt columns.

From the Scottish archipelago to the Arctic Circle

From the dreamlike landscapes of the British archipelago to the spellbinding rocky and snow-covered islets of the Arctic Circle, PONANT invites you aboard LeLyrial for an all-new10-day journey, discovering the natural marvels and age-old heritage of Scotland and Norway, lands of Celtic and Viking legends.

Departing from Edinburgh, city of history and labelled city of literature by UNESCO you will head for the Orkney archipelago and its windswept moorland landscape. Stromness, a small fishing port with stone houses, reveals a rich history of Vikings, merchants and sailors. 

You will then reach Scrabster, Scotland's northernmost port. Here you will discover wild nature, made of lush moors, and monumental granite cliffs where many bird species come to find refuge. In addition to its preserved aspect, the charming little town is distinguished by its rich history. It was on these hilly lands that Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother had the neo-Gothic Castle of Mey restored, after the death of King George VI.

Further north, Le Lyrial will sail towards the jagged Norwegian coastlines. Witness this breath-taking spectacle of vertiginous cliffs, immaculate coniferous forests and majestic fjords, and let yourself fall under the spell of these geological masterpieces produced by Mother Nature. Anchored at the entrance to the eponymous fjord and encircled by lush valleys, the picturesque mediaeval city of Trondheim, founded in the 10th century by the Viking King Olaf I, still retains traces of this opulent past, like its emblematic Nidaros Cathedral, an interesting blend of Gothic and Roman influences constructed at the end of the 11th century.

Surrounded by numerous rocky, verdant and snow-covered islets, your ship will approach the charming and historic Bronnoysund. A former Viking city, it is the gateway to the fascinating Vega Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Formed of dozens of islands, reefs and isolated rocks, it is a veritable nature sanctuary for many colonies of seabirds, particularly eider ducks, during their nesting period.

The Arctic Circle draws increasingly close and this pristine nature unfolds before you. The deep blue water contrasts with the land and the season's verdant vegetation.Your ship will then make its way south where you will witness the mysterious charm of the Lofoten archipelago. These islands have landscapes of surreal beauty alternating between sea, spectacular fjords, mountain slopes and bright-coloured huts on stilts.

Just north, at the gateway to the Vesterålen and Lofoten archipelagos, Hinnoya will surprise, captivate and fascinate. At the northern tip of this island, the fourth-largest in Norway, Harstad stands proudly in the centre of a veritable natural setting, between grandiose fjords and mountain chains that feature prominent curves. The former centre of power during the Iron Age, the charming city unveils its Viking culture through its picturesque alleyways and museums tracing this past, rich in legends, traditions and discoveries.

Your trip will end in Tromso, renowned for the architecture of its church, nicknamed the Arctic Cathedral.