Mediterranean springtime in France and Italy
Between France and Italy, set off aboard Le Bougainville for an unforgettable 12-day cruise discovering Elba, the Stromboli, the Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica, as well as the coastal towns of Nice, Livorno, Amalfi and Marseille.
Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, visit the Pompeii archaeological site from Amalfi, attend a concert of Sardinian polyphonic songs in Cagliari, or explore the pretty villages of Gordes, Les Baux-de-Provence and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence leaving from Marseille. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).
From Nice, you will sail towards Tuscan shores to Livorno, a port town famous for its Renaissance-era fortifications. The Little Venice district, as it is known, offers a picturesque setting in which to enjoy fish and seafood.
Portoferraio, a small corner of paradise on the island of Elba, where Napoleon spend many days in exile will be your next port of call. You will sail towards the sublime sites of Amalfi and its coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Suspended between the sky and the sea, this small medieval city offers sumptuous scenery.
A little further south, you discover the Aeolian islands. Lipari is the capital of the Aeolian volcanic archipelago and is renowned for its many natural and architectural gems. Then, you sail in front of Stromboli, an active volcano whose crater regularly erupts with lava flows.
A cultural jewel of Sicily, Palermo is a splendid witness to three thousand years of history where you will be able to visit emblematic landmarks such as the 12th-century cathedral and Teatro Massimo, one of the largest theatres in Europe. In Trapani, discover rich and varied cultural and culinary heritage.
Le Bougainville then arrives in Cagliari, capital of Sardinia and one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean; its historic centre is full of charm, with shaded stairs, small squares inundated with light and remains conjuring up its medieval grandeur.
Your ship will set sail towards the southern tip of Corsica, to Bonifacio. A veritable fortress sculpted by the wind and the spray, the “sentinel city” will reveal its historical centre and its long cobbled streets. You will head further north to Calvi, in the heart of the Balagne region. Between steep peaks and sublime beaches with turquoise waters, you will experience a wild and authentic Corsica.
Finally, you will reach Marseille, the oldest port city in France, which is constantly renewing itself beneath the protective gaze of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Guard. Your cruise will end in Nice, famous for its never-ending riviera.
When searching for a luxury yacht expedition cruise, there’s one name above all else that you need to know – Ponant Cruises. Founded in 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers, Ponant combines succulent luxury with authentic adventures on all seven continents.
From classic Mediterranean itineraries and Caribbean sailings, to bucket-list expeditions around Greenland and Antarctica, Ponant cruises proudly counteract the banality of mainstream voyages with a unique take on the concept of small-ship cruising. It’s the absolute trip of a lifetime.
Welcoming and spacious common areas, refined open-to-the-sea design, sleek exterior lines, a marina to make access to the ship's zodiac inflatables easier, hi-tech equipment, an outdoor pool, a multisensorial underwater lounge… Le Bougainville represents the new generation of ships designed to combine discovery and exploration with luxury, even in the planet's most remote and isolated regions.
