Charming Mediterranean Shores in Luxury

Description

Board Le Jacques-Cartier for an authentic 8-day cruise to discover the wonders of the Italian and French coasts and enjoy a taste of la dolce vita.

Departing from Civitavecchia, your ship will first sail to Bonifacio, “Corsica’s Gibraltar”. A former pirates’ lair and a stunning sentinel standing atop tall limestone cliffs in the far south of the Isle of Beauty, it will reveal to you a little of its troubled past.

You will then set join 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.

Next, Le Jacques-Cartier will head for Portoferraio, a small corner of paradise on the island of Elba, where Napoleon spent many days in exile, before stopping at Marina di Carrara, a seaside resort with a relaxed atmosphere, where you will be able to enjoy the long beaches.

On the Italian Riviera, Portofino, built in a natural harbour protected by a pine forest, is a picturesque and lively port that has successfully retained its authenticity and traditions. It will delight you with its charm and beauty.

The last stop on your journey, Antibes, a seaside resort on the Côte d’Azur, will delight you with its history as witnessed by the 16th century ramparts surrounding its old town and home to the Fort Carré. Its wooded peninsula, its long palm-fringed beaches and its nightlife complete this very special setting.

Your cruise will end in Marseille, the Phocean city with an age-old history, where you will be able to visit emblematic sites such as the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica that overlooks the city.

Trip Name

Charming Mediterranean Shores in Luxury

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2018/2019 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the sixth ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Jacques Cartier will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. In a relaxed atmosphere, an outdoor grill on Deck 3 will serve grilled meats with a variety of salads and desserts. PUBLIC AREAS Le Jacques Cartier has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME)

Built on an Etruscan site, between the Tyrrhenian sea and the Monti della Tolfa, Civitavecchia respires the dolce vita. This very modern and easy going town combines art and history with panache. You can also visit superb historical sites like Fort Michelangelo or the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi. Just 80 kilometres from Rome, the town is a beautiful first step to the Italian capital.

Day 2 - Day 2 BONIFACIO, CORSICA

The spectacular town of Bonifacio located on the very tip of southern Corsica, clings to a narrow promontory of white rock overhanging the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. You can admire its limestone cliffs hewn out by the wind, before setting off on a cultural tour of its cultural treasures. From the little paved streets in the ancient Haute Ville, to the promenade on the open-air medieval chemin de ronde, this stunning town will take you on a journey back in time. Frequented or secluded, there are numerous beaches to choose from, all in keeping with the high standards of the “Île de Beauté”.

Day 3 - Day 3 CALVI, CORSICA

Nestled on a rocky spur in the north-west of Corsica, the port of Calvi offers its whiteness between two sapphire-coloured bays. Capital of the Balagne region, the Genoese city benefits from an exceptional natural setting between the abrupt relief of the central chain, fertile hills and long sandy beaches. From the promontory of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Serra chapel, built in the 19th century on the ruins of a 15th century sanctuary, you will not miss the sublime panorama of the seaside, the mountains and the Calvi citadel. A little further west, you will have the opportunity to discover with the peninsula of Revelatta, a wilder and more preserved part of Corsica.

Day 4 - Day 4 PORTOFERRAIO, ELBA

In the elbow of a creek on the northern coastline of Elba Island, a small corner of paradise awaits in the form of Portoferraio. As you approach its coastlines, you will make out the powerful and majestic contours of its Medici fortresses. Napoleon Bonaparte spent many of his 300 days in exile here. The Palazzina dei Mulini, his first imperial residence, whose gardens offer outstanding views of the sea, is a must-see. Historical treasures are followed by another kind of treasure, namely white sand beaches, and equally tempting local specialities including gurguglione and rice with cuttlefish ink.

Day 5 - Day 5 MARINA DI CARRARA

Marina di Carrara is a seaside resort on the Tyrrhenian Coast, which enjoys a temperate climate year round. It is also the port from which the marble from the nearby Carrara quarries is exported. This extremely pure, very white and very fine-grained marble has been used for sculpture and architecture since Roman antiquity. It was used to create some of the most stunning masterpieces from the Renaissance period, such as the statue of David by Michelangelo, who would travel to Carrara to choose his own blocks. Don’t miss the visit to the fascinating marble museum and to the actual quarries, where you will be able to admire the titanic landscape shaped by the extraction of the enormous blocks of marble.

Day 6 - Day 6 PORTOFINO

Close to the Cinque Terre, Portofino is the jewel of the Ligurian Riviera. This "small village that stretches like a half moon around a silent basin", described by Guy de Maupassant, is today a pretty, lively little port that has managed to preserve the authenticity of its maritime traditions, which have been recognised since Ancient times. Built in the hollow of a small natural cove sheltered by the pine forest, the village is at the heart of a protected maritime reserve. The shimmering colours of its house fronts and the exceptional location of this village have inspired many authors and artists. You will also see the Portofino lighthouse, immaculate in its green setting. Perched on the Punta del Capo, it watches over the peninsula and its postcard setting.

Day 7 - Day 7 ANTIBES

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Day 8 - Day 8 MARSEILLE

The oldest harbour in France, Marseille is the city where PONANT has chosen to set up its company headquarters. Heart vibrating in its setting of Mediterranean Calanques, it reveals its raw and authentic beauty, made up of a thousand influences and cultures which, over the centuries, have made up its wealth. A stroll through the Old Port will allow you to discover the places corresponding to the city founded by the Greeks as well as Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica, with its astonishing neo-Byzantine architecture, which overlooks it. Close to the quays, the Place de Lenche, which covers the ancient agora, will be perfect for a break in one of its lively cafés before melting into the maze of narrow streets with colourful houses in the Panier district, just a stone's throw away.

Day 9 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

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Inclusions

An itinerary between the French and Italian Rivieras via Corsica.
Discover Bonifacio, sitting atop tall limestone cliffs, as well as Calvi and its citadel on the Isle of Beauty (Corsica).
Visiting Portofino, a quiet fishing village with colourful houses.
The island of Elba and Portoferraio, where Napoleon was exiled.
A new port of call : Antibes, a popular seaside resort on the Côte d'Azur.