Guest of Honour 
Gastronomy & Wine 
Guest Speaker 
No single supplement 
Flight Credit £210 
Superior Stateroom
15% Ponant Bonus
226 ft2
3
Gastronomy, Vineyards & Grands Crus
Lisbon - Bordeaux
Dates:
10/04/2023
to
19/04/2023
days
nights on board
In partnership with Château Latour and with the exceptional presence of starred chef Jean Baptiste Natali.
From Lisbon to Bordeaux, PONANT invites you to join an exceptional gastronomic and oenological cruise in partnership with Château Latour along the Portuguese, Spanish and French coasts. Get a different perspective on the Atlantic Ocean coastline during this 11-day trip aboard L’Austral.
Setting sail from Lisbon, the seven-hilled Portuguese capital, you will chart a course for the port of Leixoes, from where you will reach the city of Porto. Capital of the northern region of Portugal, this ‘city of granite, the centre of which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its wine.
Your journey will continue to Galicia and the city of Vigo, the biggest fishing port in Spain. Not far from here, Santiago de Compostela awaits you. This unmissable pilgrimage destination is home to a number of monuments from the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque periods, testimony to its illustrious past.
L’Austral will then head for the capital of the Spanish Basque Country, Bilbao. Between daring architecture and the continuation of its ancestral traditions, you will be able to enjoy the city’s unique energy.
You will conclude your exploration of Basque Country on the French side with a stay in the city of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, before reaching the beautiful fortified town of Talmont-sur-Gironde.
During your last call in Pauillac, you will have the opportunity to make several visits and wine tastings at some very beautiful wine estates in the Saint-Estephe, Margaux, and Pauillac appellations.
Your cruise will end in Bordeaux, the wine capital of the world.
Ref : AU100423
Your itinerary
In partnership with Château Latour and with the exceptional presence of starred chef Jean Baptiste Natali. An exceptional cruise focused on wine and gastronomy, in partnership with Château Latour and with...
View detailed itinerary
Your trip in detail
Choose your stateroom
Choose your stateroom
Superior Stateroom
(226 ft2)
From £4,430
15% Ponant Bonus
Deluxe Stateroom
(193 ft2)
From £4,810
15% Ponant Bonus
Prestige Deck 4
(193 ft2)
From £5,330
15% Ponant Bonus
Prestige Deck 5
(193 ft2)
From £5,600
15% Ponant Bonus
Prestige Deck 6
(193 ft2)
From £5,910
15% Ponant Bonus
Deluxe Suite
(290 ft2)
From £8,230
15% Ponant Bonus
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
(398 ft2)
From £11,140
15% Ponant Bonus
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
(398 ft2)
From £11,710
15% Ponant Bonus
Owner's Suite
(484 ft2)
From £15,760
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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LE BOREAL
31/08/2023 to the 24/09/2023
LE LYRIAL
- New
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
22/06/2023 to the 10/07/2023
LE BOUGAINVILLE
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Internet access Wi-Fi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Hermès top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Three ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Jean-Baptiste Natali
Its course is full of wild herbs and flavours. As a child when others were kicking a ball around, he was running through the woods, the Dhuits, Etoile, Plachet, Blinfey, la Chapelle… There he found bluebells, vanilla-scented orchids, fragrant angled Solomon Seals, wild asparagus, wild garlic, mushrooms – all of which had his mouth watering. His vocation as a storyteller of taste began here.
His course is also full of encounters around the world, from time spent at the Palme d’Or restaurant in the Martinez Hotel in Cannes, Daniel Boulud’s restaurant in New York and the famous Mamounia in Marrakech, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Sultanate of Oman and the Maldives. All broadened his palette introducing the subtlest of flavours.
Finally, Jean-Baptiste Natali decided to return to his home village of Colombey-les-Deux-Églises in Haute-Marne to practice his art in the restaurant his father Gérard had run for several decades. The son returned to give his father a hand, a move that turned into a stroke of genius. Gérard gave Jean-Baptiste carte blanche to overhaul the menu, a radical turning point for this eatery. Steeped in his experiences travelling abroad, Jean-Baptiste changed everything from the produce to the dishes and way of working. Since then, Chef Natali has welcomed and continues to host political figures of every hue, from ambassadors to French presidents and ministers.
In 2002, just a year after returning to Colombey at the age of 27, he was one of the youngest chefs to earn his first Michelin star.
Language spoken: French
Photo credit: ARR
Bernard Antony
Bernard Antony, whose business operates in Vieux-Ferrette (Alsace), is one of the most renowned cheese ripeners in the world. His Alsace cellar plays host to a high-end international clientele. Prince Albert of Monaco and Archduke Otto of Austria have both been known to visit his boutique. Today, nineteen 3-star Michelin restaurants entrust Antony with their cheese board selection. Prominent French chefs from Alain Ducasse to Pierre Gagnaire are among those keen to access these heavenly cheeses, as are the major vineyards which use the services of this master cheese ripener in Vieux-Ferrette.
Language spoken: French
Photo credit: Marcel Ehrhard
Alain Miossec
A graduate with a PhD on “France Atlantic coastal nature management”, Alain Miossec is an expert on the sea and coasts. He has written several books on the subject (Les littoraux entre nature et aménagement, SEDES 1998, 3 éditions), a dictionary of the sea and coasts (Presses Universitaires de Rennes, 2012), Géographie des mers et des océans (PU Rennes 2014) and dozens of articles.
Since retiring in 2011, Alain Miossec has turned his attention and talent to cultural issues and now teaches wine at Nantes University.
His latest publications are about cuisine associated with the sea, particularly his latest work coedited with Jean Robert Pitte, La mer nourricière, un défi millénaire (gastronomy of the sea and managing resources).
Languages spoken: French, English
Photo credit: ARR
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Jean-Baptiste Natali
Its course is full of wild herbs and flavours. As a child when others were kicking a ball around, he was running through the woods, the Dhuits, Etoile, Plachet, Blinfey, la Chapelle… There he found bluebells, vanilla-scented orchids, fragrant angled Solomon Seals, wild asparagus, wild garlic, mushrooms – all of which had his mouth watering. His vocation as a storyteller of taste began here.
His course is also full of encounters around the world, from time spent at the Palme d’Or restaurant in the Martinez Hotel in Cannes, Daniel Boulud’s restaurant in New York and the famous Mamounia in Marrakech, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Sultanate of Oman and the Maldives. All broadened his palette introducing the subtlest of flavours.
Finally, Jean-Baptiste Natali decided to return to his home village of Colombey-les-Deux-Églises in Haute-Marne to practice his art in the restaurant his father Gérard had run for several decades. The son returned to give his father a hand, a move that turned into a stroke of genius. Gérard gave Jean-Baptiste carte blanche to overhaul the menu, a radical turning point for this eatery. Steeped in his experiences travelling abroad, Jean-Baptiste changed everything from the produce to the dishes and way of working. Since then, Chef Natali has welcomed and continues to host political figures of every hue, from ambassadors to French presidents and ministers.
In 2002, just a year after returning to Colombey at the age of 27, he was one of the youngest chefs to earn his first Michelin star.
Language spoken: French
Photo credit: ARR
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Highlights
- In partnership with Château Latour and with the exceptional presence of starred chef Jean Baptiste Natali.
- An exceptional cruise focused on wine and gastronomy, in partnership with Château Latour and with the presence of a starred chef on board.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the historic centre of Porto from Leixões; Santiago de Compostela (Old Town) from Vigo; the Port of the Moon in Bordeaux.
- In Bilbao, it is possible to visit the famous Guggenheim Museum.
- Discover the green and historic region of the Basque Country during two ports of call: Bilbao and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
- Opportunity to discover and taste exceptional wines during your ports of call at Pauillac and Bordeaux.
Ports of Call & Excursions
10 April 2023 - Lisbon
Embarkation 10/04/2023 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 10/04/2023 at 18:00
Portugal’s capital city located on the banks of the Tagus, only a few kilometres from the Atlantic coast, is a city of exceptionally rich cultural diversity. At the mouth of the river harbour, impose two UNESCO World Heritage monuments, Jeronimos monastery and Belem tower. The Alfama hillside is also worth visiting: known for its fado bars and its Moorish streets, this district is the oldest one of the city and one of the most typical. Not far from there, Chiado’s elegant streets are home to big fashion labels and are an invitation to a bit of of luxury shopping.
11 April 2023 - Leixões - Porto
Arrival 11/04/2023 early afternoon
Departure 11/04/2023 early evening
Located at the mouth of the Douro River, the port of Leixões lies less than 10 kilometres from Porto. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic centre of Porto is worth a visit for its famous Ribeira district, the metallic silhouette of the Dom-Luis bridge looming over its ancient houses, its richly decorated Baroque churches and its national Soares dos Reis museum. The São Bento station is also interesting for its typically Portuguese decoration, using Azulejos, blue square ceramic tiles decorated with geometric patterns or figurative scenes.
12 April 2023 - Vigo – Santiago de Compostela
Arrival 12/04/2023 early morning
Departure 12/04/2023 late afternoon
Nestling on the Atlantic coast, in the south of Galicia, the former fishing port of Vigo is now the region’s largest municipality. Its old town, more commonly known as O Berbés, will unveil its many historical monuments and the unusual architectural style of its homes. Off the coast, the Cíes Islands, declared a Nature Reserve and located in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park, offer truly splendid landscapes and exceptional biodiversity. Further north, make sure you visit Santiago de Compostela, which welcomes many pilgrims from all over the world every year. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its historical centre has significant architectural heritage.
13 April 2023 - At sea
Arrival 13/04/2023
Departure 13/04/2023
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
14 April 2023 - Bilbao
Arrival 14/04/2023 midday
Departure 14/04/2023 early evening
Bilbao, capital of the Spanish Basque country, is one of the most avant-garde cities in Europe. Its architectural audacity as well as its ancient built heritage will take you on a journey between traditions and innovations. An unusual cable car will allow you to reach the magnificent Guggenheim Museum, a unique construction of stone, glass and titanium, designed by the architect Frank Gehry and home to a collection of modern art and contemporary monumental sculpture. The narrow streets of the old city and the unmissable Ensanche district are also worthy of a visit, as is the Vizcaya bridge, the world’s first ever transporter bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
15 April 2023 - Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Arrival 15/04/2023 early morning
Departure 15/04/2023 evening
A renowned seaside resort in the South West of France, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a picturesque and authentic town with a rich history. In particular, King Louis XIV married Maria Teresa in the famous Saint Jean the Baptist church in 1660. The seafront unveils stunning views, between the Basque architecture and the Cantabrian Sea. An unforgettable bay, which was frequented in the 17th century by privateers and wealthy ship-owners.
16 April 2023 - Talmont-sur-Gironde
Arrival 16/04/2023 midday
Departure 16/04/2023 late afternoon
You will sail along the coast to discover the remarkable Meschers caves, natural cavities carved into the chalk cliffs that loom over the Gironde estuary. Enlarged by man in the 19th century, they became troglodyte dwellings, some of which are still inhabited today. Punctuating the coastline of the Charente region with their poetic presence, the carrelets, fragile-looking huts on stilts fitted with a square fishing net, can be seen along the Saintonge coastline. The beautiful town of Talmont-sur-Gironde is to be found at the heart of the fortified city founded by Edward I, King of England and Duke of Aquitaine. The Sainte-Radegonde church, a jewel of Romanesque art, dating from the 12th century, looms majestically over the estuary.
17 April 2023 - Pauillac
Arrival 17/04/2023 early morning
Departure 17/04/2023 late evening
Discover Pauillac, a town in southwestern France located a few kilometres away from Bordeaux, stretching along the Gironde. The undisputed capital of Médoc, Pauillac will open up its magical universe for you, from culture and heritage to vineyards and châteaux. This stop will be a voyage of myriad flavours, particularly during the tasting of the region’s wines, revealing their soft ruby colours and reflections turning amber with time. Enjoy both a sensorial adventure and an adventure into the heart of the town. Don’t miss the visit of Saint Martin’s Church or the mysterious grotto of Artigues, dominated by a statue of the Virgin Mary. As for the Aspic Tower, it is topped with a dome from which the harvesters’ work used to be overseen.
18 April 2023 19 April 2023 - Bordeaux
Arrival 18/04/2023 early morning
Disembarkation 19/04/2023 at 07:00
Bordeaux stretches along the banks of the Garonne river, in South-West France. Its rich wine tradition makes it the world capital of wine. Let yourself be carried away by the history of the Port de la Lune, made a UNESCO World Heritage site for its prestigious classical architecture. On the famous Place de la Bourse, the past and the present unite: here you can observe the majestic old buildings reflected in the contemporary Miroir d’eau creation.
Porto city tour & wine tasting
From the pier, board your coach and start your 30-minute scenic drive to Porto.
Upon arrival, you will visit the Francis Church which is the most prominent Gothic monument in Porto and is also noted for its outstanding Baroque inner decoration.
You will continue your walk to the riverside, also known as the Ribeira one of Port’s landmarks, you will enjoy free time for shopping and stroll around this area.
You will then be driven to the Taylor’s wine cellar. Taylor’s is the archetypal Port house and it wines the quintessential Ports. Established over three centuries ago in 1692, Taylor’s is one of the oldest of the founding Port houses. It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest styles. Above all, Taylor’s is regarded as the benchmark for Vintage Port.
Noted for their elegance and poise as well as for their restrained power and longevity, Taylor’s Vintage Ports are blended from the finest wines of the firm’s own quintas or estates, Vargellas, Terra Feita and Junco. These three iconic properties, each occupying a distinct geographic location and with their own unique character, are the cornerstone of the company’s success and the main source of its unique and inimitable house style.
Taylor’s is also respected as a producer of wood aged ports and holds one of the largest reserves of rare cask aged wines from which its distinguished aged tawny Ports are drawn. The house is also known as the originator of Late Bottled Vintage, a style which the firm pioneered and of which it remains the leading producer. Based in Porto and the Douro Valley the family company is closely involved in all stages of the production of its Ports, from the planting of the vineyard, the cultivation of the grapes to the making, ageing, blending and the bottling of the wines. The family’s commitment to the future of Port is demonstrated in its single-minded dedication to the highest standards in Port production, its continued investment in all aspects of the firm’s operations and its determination to preserve the unique environment of the Douro Valley through the promotion of sustainable and responsible viticulture.
Following your visit and wine tasting, join your coach with a 30-minute drive back to the ship.
- This tour involves moderate walking on both uneven and flat surfaces and includes several steps inside the monuments and the wine cellar. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. The wine tasting is included on your tour. In case of religious services, the visit of the church will be an outside visit only.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Tram tour of Porto
From the pier, board your coach and start your drive to Porto.
Upon arrival, you will visit the Tramcar Museum and its collection of trams dating from 1871 until 1950s. Built in 1992, the Tram Museum retraces the history of trams in Porto by means of a plethora of exhibits. One of the highlights is the tram number 22: the first tram operating on the Iberian Peninsula. Overall, the period of time covered by the exhibits starts in the second half of the 19th century, calling forth, at least for the nostalgic public, the atmosphere of those times when getting around was not necessarily a matter of speed.
You will then board one of these historical trams and enjoy a ride along the riverside finishing next to the imposing S. Francis Church. On the bus you will be driven till the Cathedral.
The Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto in Portuguese) is the most important religious building in the city and has been declared a National Monument. The construction of the cathedral began during the 12th century, but it was rebuilt and renovated numerous times throughout the centuries. This explains why the cathedral is a blend of architectural styles. The temple is predominantly Baroque in style, although its façade and the nave are Romanesque and its cloister and one of the chapels are Gothic in style. Inside, the large pillars make the nave seem narrow with a high ceiling, it has bare walls, and only the high altar and some of its chapels are decorated in Baroque style.
Finally, a short walk will take you to São Bento Train Station to admire its unique collection of white and blue glazed tiles before joining your coach and your ship, after a 45-minute drive.
- This tour involves moderate walking on both uneven and flat surfaces and includes several steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility. The museum is divided between two floors without elevator. Appropriate clothing is recommended to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. In case of religious services, the visit of the Cathedral will be an outside visit only. The tour is limited to 28 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Porto through your camera
From the pier, board your coach and start your 30-minute panoramic drive to explore Porto. Accompanied with a professional photographer, you will capture the main highlights of the city.
Porto, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, is the gateway for a journey across the natural and cultural diversity of the region. It is known for the Porto wine which is shipped from here all over the world, but also for a heritage which combines ancient churches and monuments, such as the Cathedral and the Church of São Francisco, and modern buildings, such as Casa da Música and the Serralves Museum. The city is also famous for its School of Architecture which bred names like Álvaro Siza Vieira and Eduardo Souto de Moura, both winners of the Pritzker Prize.
Strolling through the city, you will discover the Cathedral which is located in the historical centre. It is one of the city's oldest monuments and one of the most important Romanesque monuments in Portugal.
Your walk will lead you to the Ribeira area, one of the city's oldest neighbourhood. Historically the quayside here was one of the busiest points on the River Douro with cargo ships sailing both up and down-stream and landing here. Today it is equally bustling but the major trade here is now tourism.
You will then cross the art street of Rua da Restauração before reaching the Santa Catarina Belvedere overlooking the Douro river.
Finally, you will join your coach for a 30-minute drive to your ship in Leixões.
- This tour involves 3 hours of walking on both uneven and flat surfaces and includes several steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour will be done with your own camera. The professional photographer speaks only English. This tour is limited to 20 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Santiago de Compostela
From the pier, you will board your coach and drive to Santiago de Compostela (a one-hour and fifteen-minute drive), one of the most important cities in Europe and the third most important place in the world for Christian pilgrimage.
Your tour will start by the Obradoiro Square where your guide will present you all the details of this square during a walking tour. You can admire the Cathedral, the Town hall, the Pazo (Palace of Saint Jerome) and the Hostal dos Reis Católicos. This former hospital was built in 1501 by orders of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile to welcome unwell pilgrims and replace the old hospital which was then on the current Plaza de la Azabachería. Today it continues to fulfil its function of hosting service to the traveller, although it has a luxurious character. Every day, a dozen pilgrims carrying their compostela (pilgrim certificate) are allowed in the kitchen to graciously receive a meal.
Your guide will give you a complete description of the outside of the Cathedral and will show you the Jubilee Door which is only opened for the pardons of each Jubilee Year.
Then, you will have some time at leisure to walk along the historical streets before meeting your guide at the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, for the lunch served in one of the dining rooms of the hotel.
Before boarding your coach to Vigo, you will enjoy an inside visit of the Cathedral with the tomb of Saint James, maybe the most important piece of the Cathedral, the “Portico da Gloria” whose lintels were laid in place in 1188, one of the capital works of mediaeval sculpture. You will also visit the museum of the Cathedral.
- This tour involves 2 km (1,5 mile) of walking on cobblestone streets with many steps during the Cathedral visit. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). The lunch is included in your tour.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
From the pier, you will board your coach and drive to your starting point of your hiking on the way of cross, 45-minute drive.
You will walk on the Spanish part of the way of cross borrowed by the pilgrims, to this day, to join Santiago de Compostela.
Santiago de Compostela is one of the most important cities in Europe and the third most important place in the world for Christian pilgrimage.
Once arriving, you will discover the Obradoiro Square where your guide will present you all the details of this square during a walking tour. You can admire the Cathedral, the Town hall, the Pazo (Palace of Saint Jerome) and the Hostal dos Reis Católicos. This former hospital was built in 1501 by orders of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile to welcome unwell pilgrims and replace the old hospital which was then on the current Plaza de la Azabachería. Today it continues to fulfil its function of hosting service to the traveller, although it has a luxurious character. Every day, a dozen pilgrims carrying their compostela (pilgrim certificate) are allowed in the kitchen to graciously receive a meal.
Your guide will give you a complete description of the outside of the Cathedral and will show you the Jubilee Door which is only opened for the pardons of each Jubilee Year.
Then, you will have some time at leisure to walk along the historical streets before meeting your guide at the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, for the lunch served in one of the dining rooms of the hotel.
Continue with an inside visit of the Cathedral with the tomb of Saint James, maybe the most important piece of the Cathedral, the “Portico da Gloria” whose lintels were laid in place in 1188, one of the capital works of mediaeval sculpture. You will also visit the museum of the Cathedral.
Finally, reboard your coach to join your ship, a one-hour and fifteen-minute drive.
- This tour involves active walking on uneven grounds and cobblestone streets with many steps during the Cathedral visit. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). The lunch is included in your tour.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Vigo & Baiona
From the pier, you will board your coach and start your scenic drive towards Monte Castro. Once arriving, you will enjoy a panoramic view on Vigo, its bay and its harbour.
Jules Verne wrote that Captain Nemo’s best kept secret was in Vigo. Did you know that this is where the Nautilus submarine came to stock up on gold? In Vigo’s estuary there are dozens of sunken ships loaded with the gold from the Americas, treasures that have not yet come to light.
Back to coach, you will drive to Baiona, one of the most important and characteristic fishing villages on the Galicia coast.
Here you will visit Parador Monterreal, an imposing 16th-century building that has been converted into a hotel. The fortress of Monterreal is highly evocative of times long past, with its walls (dating from the 11th to 17th centuries) and its mediaeval towers: the Reloxo, the Tenaza and the Príncipe Cativo. The walls are ideal for a pleasant stroll around the area, known as the Monte Boi Promenade, offering perfect views over the whole of Galicia’s southern coastline, and of course the town of Baiona.
Then, you will discover old centre of the village with the remains of its ancient walls. A walk through the historic centre reveals impressive pazos (manor houses), such as that of the Correa family (from the 18th century), now the town hall with a tall tower, coats of arms and beautiful balconies; the Casa Ceta (or Casa do Perdón) from the 14th century; the Casa Mendoza (or Casa do Deán) with arched walkways beneath (from the 18th century) and a superb Baroque façade, or the Casa de Salgado (from the 17th century).
Finally, re-board your coach and start your return drive to Vigo, a 45-minute drive.
- This tour involves 2 km (1,5 mile) of walking on cobblestone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Pazo de Rubianes & wine tasting
From the pier, you will board your coach and start your 1-hour drive to Villagarcia.
Once arriving, you will visit the Pazo de Rubianes. Located in the Arousa estuary (Pontevedra), it is one of the three official lordships in Spain. The main building was constructed in the 15th century. In the 18th century the tower was pulled down, and a summer residence with rectangular plan was created. The gardens, with more than 11 hectares, have remarkable eucalyptus trees with perimeters of 12 meters, olives and magnolias. It has geometrical flowerbeds of French style, with sequoias and camphors. Its grandiose magnolias Magnolia grandiflora L. have been included in the Galician Monumental Tree Catalogue.
With an area of 25 hectares, the vineyard of Pazo de Rubianes is the largest in the region of Salnés. Don Gonzalo Ozores of Urcola - eighteenth Lord of the House of Rubianes and Marqués de Aranda- and his wife, Mrs. Paloma Rey Fernández Latorre, were responsible for the recovery of ancient vineyards and the new vineyard project that took place between the years 1997 and 1999. Don Gonzalo, great lover of his estate, had a great devotion for his vineyards and planned to produce wine on the property again. But he could not fulfil his dream before his death in 2006. His wife, Mrs. Paloma, picked up the baton in order to realise the desire of her husband. In 2009, ten years after the recovery of the vineyards, the first wine of this new winery of Pazo de Rubianes was bottled. Built in the 15th century, the cellar smells now like wine again, and allows to preserve the quality of each vintage. Only slightly less than 30 % of the grapes produced in the vineyards of Pazo de Rubianes are chosen to give rise to these exclusive wines with which each year comes the new crop of Pazo de Rubianes and García Caamaño wines.
After enjoying a walking tour on the gardens and the cellar, you will enjoy a tasting of this exclusive wine accompanied with tapas.
Finally, re-board your coach and start your return drive to Vigo, a 1-hour drive.
- This tour involves 2 km (1,5 mile) of walking on uneven paths with mud sometimes and some steps to enter the manor at Rubianes. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The tasting is included on your tour. The tour of the gardens will be guided by the Botanical experts of the estate and translate in French by your guide. This tour is limited to 50 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Basque coastline
Discover the Cantabrian corniche, the fishing port of Bermeo and historic Guernica. From the pier, travel along the colorful Biscayan coastline and see the dramatic views of the Cantabrian corniche.
You will first visit Guernica, once the capital of the Basque Country. The local lords and kings met here in democratic assembly to promise to respect the special laws of Vizcaya. On 26th April 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, the town was razed to the ground by German aircraft, sent by Hitler to support Franco's troops. Discover the Picasso’s Guernika mural reproduction, illustrating the bombing and showing the tragedy of war.
During your visit, see also the petrified trunk of an oak tree that miraculously survived the horrific bombing raid. In the Park of Europe are the famous sculptures, symbolising Gernika-Lumo as a city of peace. See the interior of the Casa de Juntas, where the Basque parliament has convened since 1979.
Continue to Bermeo, one of the area's most important fishing ports in the region. This colourful, working town has a large deep-sea fishing fleet that regularly operates off the coast of the Azores and southern Africa. See the popular Basque style architecture reflected in the fishermen's houses.
After the visit, drive to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe for a photostop before returning to the pier in Bilbao.
- This tour involves 1 mile (1.5 km) of walking on cobblestone streets in Bermeo and inclines in Guernica. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. As the Basque government meets at Casa de Juntas, it is subject to closure without any previous notice.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
The elegant Basque Country city
From the pier, you will board your coach and start the 1-hour drive to San Sebastián, across the Spanish border.
The Kings and Queens of Spain chose San Sebastián as the royal seaside resort just as Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie chose Biarritz. Today San Sebastián remains a brilliant and seductive city, a cultural hub of the Basque Country.
After a photo stop at Monte Igueldo, which provides a panoramic view of San Sebastián Bay, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city.
Then, you will make your way to the old town where your guided 45-minute walking tour will start. You will visit the city's "old quarter" with its narrow pedestrian streets.
Continue on to the famous streets lined with "tapas" bars, where you can enjoy some free time to experience the atmosphere while enjoying some tapas with Spanish wines or local cider (at your own expense).
Finally, you will return to your ship after a 1-hour drive.
- This excursion involves approximately 1.5 km (1 mile) of walking on uneven ground with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is limited to 105 participants. The tapas are not included in the price.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz & Biarritz
From the pier, you will meet your guide and start your walking tour through the historic town.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz was formerly a famous pirate port. The Basque "privateers" sailed under the authority of the French King and were the scourge of English merchant ships. Saint-Jean-de-Luz became a veritable "pirates nest" and many of the fine houses today were built from the revenues of the privateers. The golden age of prosperity for the town was crowned by the marriage of Louis XIV and Maria Theresa of Spain in the Basque church in 1660. The royal wedding, which took place in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, was the result of the "Treaty of the Pyrenees" signed between France and Spain the previous year. The two houses where the couple awaited the marriage can be seen on either side of the town square. The Basque church of St. John the Baptist is particularly interesting. The doorway the couple used to leave after the ceremony was immediately walled up so that no-one else could cross the royal threshold. The interior is one of the finest examples of religious Basque architecture with classic wooden balconies typical of Basque churches.
Afterwards, you will board your coach and make your way to Biarritz. En route, you will pass Bidart and Guethary, typical villages of the region with their "fronton", where the Basques play the "pelota", their traditional sport.
Once you arrive in Biarritz, you will enjoy a guided panoramic tour following by a walking tour.
You will discover the "Queen of resorts and the resort of Kings" and the "Grande Plage", the main beach in town, where surfers from all over the world come to ride the waves.
Continue on to the hotel du Palais. Its façade overhangs the golden beach of Biarritz and recalls the idle and frivolous period of the 20's. Built in 1855 as a summer house for the Imperial couple, the building owes its E shape to the name of the Empress Eugenie.
The next stop will be the cosy fishing port nestled in the rocks. It is considered by many to be a separate tiny village within the city of Biarritz.
After the fishing port, it's off to the Rock of the Virgin, a landmark in Biarritz. This "island" is attainable only by an imposing bridge which was constructed by Gustave Eiffel, the same architect who, of course, designed the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris.
You will conclude your ocean front tour of Biarritz with the ancient whaling port, whaling having been an integral part of the history of Biarritz. It is an interesting as well as amusing tour packed with anecdotes from Biarritz’s colourful past. A photo-stop will be made at the lighthouse, located on the northern part of Biarritz with its panoramic view of the city.
Finally, you will return to your ship after a 30-minute drive.
- This excursion involves approximately 0.7 mile (1 km) of walking on uneven ground with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is not recommended for guests with any mobility restrictions. This tour is limited to 70 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Cristobal Balenciaga Museum
From the pier, you will board your coach for the 1-hour drive to the medieval port town of Getaria, located in the Basque Country of Northern Spain. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a short introduction before your free flow visit of the museum and its collections
Opened in June 2011, the fascinating Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum honours the life and legacy of the great fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972), who came to define haute couture in the 50s and 60s. The location of the museum is no accident: It is situated in the designer’s hometown of Getaria, Spain.
At the museum, you will discover the designer’s dresses displayed like works of art, which some would argue they are. Talented in sewing and tailoring from a young age, Balenciaga is credited with transforming the silhouette by broadening the shoulders and narrowing the waist. In the late 1950, his high-waisted Empire dresses and kimono-like coats become icons of the industry, drawing the eye and patronage of celebrities and royalty, including Fabiola de Mora y Aragon, who wore a Balenciaga design for her 1960 wedding to King Baudouin I of Belgium.
Among the “masterworks” on display during the museum’s first season were a coat and dress designed by Balenciaga and commissioned by Grace Kelly as well as the aforementioned Aragon wedding dress.
The museum buildings are works of art unto themselves. One building is the historic Aldamar Palace, while the second is a new building designed by Cuban architect Julian Argilagos. A long, curved, slightly trapezoidal space, the new annex boasts integrated floor-to-ceiling glass walls and gracious gallery interiors to house Balenciaga’s fashions.
Finally, you will make a 1-hour return drive to your ship.
- This excursion involves some walking and some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The visit of the museum is not guided.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
La Rhune mountain train
From the pier, you will board your coach and leave the shoreside to venture into the mountainous part of the Basque Country, 30-minute drive.
La Rhune mountain, covered in dolmens, stone circles and other Neolithic monuments, was held to be a sacred place in the Basque mythology. Later on, considered as a ritual meeting place for witches, the mountain became, up until the 18th century, home to a hermit monk whose duty was to keep witches away and ensure good winds.
A few centuries later, the mountain became a notable smuggling route, especially for refugees during the Spanish Civil War and World War II.
Only 905 meters high, La Rhune is today a popular site for walks and hikes, but is also known for its rack railway, the Petit Train de la Rhune. Built in 1924 and perfectly maintained, this train with wooden carriages will take you to the top of the Rhune mountain, where you will enjoy exceptional views from the 360° viewing terraces: from the French coast across the Pyrenees Mountain range, and out to the Spanish Northern coast, far-reaching in all directions.
Once arriving, you will have the choice between enjoy some free time or follow your guide during a short walking tour on the Rhune mountain.
Finally, you will return to your ship, 30-minute drive.
- This excursion involves some walking time with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is limited to 35 participants. La Rhune mountain train is not exclusive for PONANT’s guests. The train ride lasts 30 minutes on each way.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Royan architecture tour
From the pier, board your local coach and take the 30-minute panoramic drive to Royan. Renowned for its particularly mild oceanic climate, the French department of Charentes-Maritime is one of the sunniest regions on the French Atlantic coast. Between sea and countryside, discover exceptionally rich historical and cultural heritage.
Upon arrival, start your exploration by foot. Your local guide, architecture specialist, will focus on post-war unique architecture.
At the foot of the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, Royan is a famous family seaside resort, renowned for its beautiful fine sandy beaches, its unique architecture, a mix between Belle Epoque villas and 1950s urban design – including the emblematic Church of Notre Dame, and its wide range of sporting and cultural activities for all ages. Totally destroyed by the Allied air bombings in 1945, the city of Royan has become a laboratory for modern architecture and urbanism. Since, it is considered as a unique example of the architecture of the 1950’s.
During this tour, you will discover the most beautiful sites of Royan, including the Cathedral of Royan, the covered market and the charming residential districts. After your guided walk, enjoy some free time in Royan before rejoining your coach.
- This tour involves walking approximately 2,5 miles (4 km) on mostly ground with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Château Lafite Rothschild
Château Lafite Rothschild belongs to the small and exclusive list of wine producing estates awarded the prestigious 1855 classification of First Growth status. The first references of the property date as far back as 1234 when the property was under the ownership of Gombaud Lafite. However it wasn’t until the 17th century when the Ségur family purchased the property that the majority of the vineyards were planted by Jacques de Ségur.
It was actually during the early 18th century when Nicolas-Alexandre, Marquis de Ségur, the son of Alexandre Ségur and heiress of Château Latour, refined the wine making techniques of the estate and introduced his wines to the upper classes of European society that Lafite solidly gained its reputation as a winemaking estate. Nicolas-Alexandre became famously known as “The Wine Prince” and Lafite’s wines became known as “The King‘s Wines” thanks to the influential support he received from such notable political figures such as Maréchal Richelieu and a visit from future US president Thomas Jefferson.
After the French Revolution, the Ségur family’s ownership of the estate came to a brutal end with the execution of heir Nicolas Pierre de Pichard during the Reign of Terror. The estate became a public property and was subsequently sold to Dutch merchants. A written reference dating back to 1797 describes the estate as a Premier Cru of Medoc, long before the official 1855 classification was established. It was thanks to the intermediary ownership by the Goudal family that records were saved and preserved for future marketing and winemaking plans. They also are credited with creating the cellar and saving many of the oldest bottles in existence.
Eventually the Château was purchased in 1868 by Baron James Mayer Rothschild who renamed the estate Château Lafite Rothschild. He died just three months after its purchase, thus leaving his three sons as heirs to the property. The estate has remained within the family ever since. Over the years the Domaines Baron Rothschild have expanded and developed in several countries and they were one of the first to invest in South America.
The best way to approach this estate, so rich in history and so impassioned with its pursuit to make the finest wines in the world is to go to the source and visit it by yourself. Visit the underground circular cellar and vault supported by its 16 columns which holds 2,200 barrels, walk among the 112 carefully tended hectares of vines making note of the gentle rises and the thick layer of gravelly soil composed of sand, clay, marl and limestone. Then, following the visit, close your eyes and delight your taste buds during your tasting as you search for the nuances which are found in these remarkable wines.
- We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and clothing for the visit. This tour includes the tasting of 2 wines. Excursion limited to 15 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Hiking tour through Pauillac
Leaving the ship on foot, you will enjoy a nice guided walk though Pauillac village and the vineyards.
During this guided walk you will learn the secrets of the Gironde Estuary, see the departure site of Lafayette on its way to the Independence War, learn about the locals, countryside life and fishing techniques. Following your walk through Pauillac village, continue with a walk through the vines where your guide will show you the gravels and the grapes that make this beautiful estate one of the best of the world!
On your way you will discover some of the most prestigious Pauillac classified wine estates such as Château Latour, and Château Pichon Longueville.
- We recommend you wear walking shoes and sports clothes. This tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties. This tour is limited to 20 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€: the excursion price is less than €50.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
The famous Medoc Château Road
The Medoc wine road, located between the Gironde Estuary and the Landes forest, provides magnificent views of the vineyards. You will have the opportunity to take photos of some of the most famous Châteaux of the area. Medoc vineyards are orderly and well-kept almost to the point of fanaticism, and the region's world famous châteaux produce wines that are nothing short of divine… Moulis, Listrac, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Médoc, Haut Médoc and Margaux (with the celebrated château of the same name).
You will visit the cellars of one of the famous estates: Château Gruaud Larose, located in Medoc district of Saint-Julien.
After a short stop at Chateau Margaux, continue your way to Château Gruaud Larose, situated on the Saint-Julien terroir just next to the village of Beychevelle, close to the 'Route des Chateaux'. While the surface of this district is quite small, it assembles the greatest concentration of 'Cru Classé' (classified growth) wines in the Medoc.
The vineyard is stretching over 82 hectares of gravely soil overlaying calcareous clay which gives a fine wine with character. As a result, it was classified « Second Grand Cru » (top ranked growth) in 1855. Throughout the centuries, Chateau Gruaud Larose has managed to impose a perfect balance between nature and the consideration of man’s work in its quest for excellence. The estate’s motto is 'The King of Wines and the Wine of Kings'. The nose and the bouquet of Château Gruaud Larose reveal the identity of its Medoc origins. An intense elixir imposing its tannic and spicy richness. A superb concentration, an unusual strength in the fruit and an astonishing final – profound and aromatic.
On site, you will first discover the estate from above, thanks to the recently built tower offering a spectacular view on the estate, its vineyards and the Gironde river. You will then proceed to the vat and barrel cellars and be introduced to the secrets of wine-making-techniques, before following your guide to the tasting room so as to indulge yourself with their wines.
You will enjoy a special tasting of two wines from the estate paired with French cheeses.
- This tour involves moderate walking on paved and pebbled terrain. You must negotiate various steps to visit the property and its wine cellars. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility or in a wheelchair.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Sauternes : Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey
Located in the Sauternes wine region, Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey is a magnificent wine estate, classified Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855. Nearby Chateau Yquem, its 37.5 hectares of vineyards stand on the third terrace of the Sauternes appellation, over 70 metres above sea level.
The ‘L’Enclos’ and ‘Maisons Rouges’ plots of land (15 hectares) form the historic heart of this exceptional terroir, with the others distributed near various Crus Classés within the appellation, in the form of five-hectare islands (Yquem, Suduiraut, Guiraud, Rieussec and d’Arche). A wide range of soils and subsoils (mostly gravel and clay) have been recorded here, a unique typology which explains the exceptional aromatic complexity offered up by Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey wines.
During your visit, you will discover the history of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, the territory of Sauternes, its viticulture and the secret of its sweet wines. You will be explained the special link that unites the Chateaux’s wines to the art of Lalique.
After visiting the estate (the “enclos”, the fermenting room, the cellars and the Chapel), you will be invited to taste three of the Chateaux’ wines. This liquid gold’s tastings will take place in the Vinothèque or the Chapel, entirely redecorated by Lalique, and nestled between the two historic wine cellars.
- This private tour is subject to a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 15 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Secrets of French oak wood barrel-maker
At Nadalié, family and business have gone hand in hand for five generations. Cooperage's art is the family true heritage. Today, learn about the complete process of cooperage (art of oak barrel making) and meet the craftsmen who make the beauty of that art… Dexterity, precision, attention to the quality of the product, you will discover a preserved know-how.
You will be impressed and astonished by the high productivity of these craftsmen that is only made possible by a high technical level acquired throughout decades of know-how and passion. From the selection of the oak trees to the final customisation of the barrel, expertise is at work. Despite improvement from modern research, analysis, machinery and wood selection techniques, the barrel making process has changed very little over the years and is extremely time intensive. To achieve the highest standards of quality, most of the work is still done by hand by highly qualified coopers.
During the visit of the “Tonnellerie Nadalié” you will learn the secrets of the production of the wine barrels, a major component of the wine ageing process. Discover the complicity in between chateaux wine masters and barrel makers, and how they predict the exchanges in between the French oak wood and the wine tannings during the wine’s ageing in the cellars, and finally how they monitor it to obtain the flavours they are looking for.
You will see the 'mise en rose' (how wine barrel 'raise the barrel') and the toasting which will give complex flavours to the wines. After this exclusive visit, you will taste wines stocked in differently-toasted-barrels or made from different oaks (French & American) to better understand how wine aromas differ according to barrel wood origins and wood toasting. Finally, you will taste the wine of the owning family’s wine estate, Château Beaurivage. After this immersion into the world of the wine barrel makers, you will return to your ship in Bordeaux.
- We recommend you wear flat and comfortable walking shoes. This private tour is subject to a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 25 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Gourmet City tour of Bordeaux
Once called the “Sleeping Beauty”, Bordeaux has awaken, and is listed as UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007. This distinction recognises the beauty and uniqueness of the architectural heritage style of Bordeaux, which has developed harmoniously over the centuries, while remaining remarkably preserved.
You will discover the Chartrons district where the wine trade was born, the Place des Quinconces, the largest square in Europe with its column commemorating the French Revolution, the Place de la Bourse, jewel of the façade of the quays with the Porte Cailhau. You will then walk from Place Pey Berland where you will find the Town Hall and the Cathedral, to Place de la Comédie and its Grand Théâtre, the Opera of the city in service since the 18th century, before re-embarking on your coach.
Your panoramic tour of Bordeaux will end at La Cité du Vin, an exhibition venue on the theme of wine inaugurated in 2016. By 2018, no less than 450,000 were pushing the door of this unique architecture, which reveals all the wealth and diversity of the world's wine. The Cité du Vin is an original cultural facility dedicated to wine as a cultural, universal and living heritage. It offers a spectacular journey around the world, through the ages, in all cultures. At the end of your visit through the permanent exhibition, a glass of wine will be offered on the 8th floor of the Cité du Vin offering a panoramic view of Bordeaux.
Your excursion will continue on the other side of the street, with a stop at the Halles de Bacalan, the new gourmet market hall of Bordeaux, rehabilitating and modernising the concept of the markets of yesteryear.
The many stalls animated by artisans, traders and producers - selected for their know-how and their complementarity - favour short circuits, 85% of the products on offer are from the area. A tasting of some of these products will be offered during your visit.
The tour will end with the short return trip to the ship.
- We recommend you wear flat and comfortable walking shoes. The order of the visits can vary and the internal visit of the Cathedral Saint André is dependent on the celebrations of the day.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Gourmet guided walking tour of Bordeaux
Departure on foot from the ship berth for a walking tour of the UNESCO classified city of Bordeaux.
Take advantage of this short guided walking tour of Bordeaux city centre to discover some local traditional specialties, like chocolate, canelé cake, cheese, and of course Bordeaux wine.
Walk by the Grand Theatre, built by Victor Louis in 1773, one of the most beautiful in Europe and a pure work of art from the 18th century. Continue through the old Bordeaux district towards the Parlement (parliament) and Bourse (stock-exchange) Squares, before reaching the Cathedral Saint André and City Hall area. End the tour with the luxury boutiques district, called “the triangle” by the locals, and the Quinconces square.
- This tour is not suitable for persons with walking difficulties as it includes walking long distances, sometimes on cobblestoned streets. The tour will be on foot only. We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. This tour is subject to a minimum of 10 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Farm of Neuvic, French caviar producer
Neuvic Estate spreads out over 19 hectares at the confluence of the Isle and Vern rivers, in the town of Neuvic.
It is situated on the land of a farm dating back to before the French Revolution, which left traces and memories that can still be seen and felt on the stone walls. The Isle River is omnipresent, whether crossing the property or bordering its contours with its meanders flanked by imposing chalky cliffs.
Domaine de Neuvic produces and markets the Caviar de Neuvic. It also produces caviar for other brands in accordance with precise specifications. Domaine de Neuvic is first and foremost synonymous with an innovative and stringent quality approach.
In 2013, Domaine de Neuvic received the acclaim of the Association France Initiative, chaired by Mr. Schweitzer, as one of ten "remarkable companies" in France. This title rewards its innovative approach, promotion of its region and recognition of human capital as a criterion for the overall success of the company.
During the visit of the estate, your guide will tell you all the secrets of sturgeons breeding and how to make caviar.
At the end of the visit, you will have the opportunity to taste the estate’s caviar, with a glass of sparkling wine!
- We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. This tour involves 1 ½ hour transfer each way.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Visit of Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Following a customized tour of the estate, you will visit the owners' private cellar, taste the estate's first wine, both white and red, and the young vines in red.
Today, you will be invited to a special confidential wine tasting at Pessac-Léognan Classified Great Growth Château Smith Haut Lafitte estate. This great growth owes its reputation as "the quintessential Graves" to its superb Günz gravel terroir in a single block. The estate's history dates back to the Crusades. The Scottish navigator Georges Smith acquired the château in the 18th century and Monsieur Duffour-Dubergier, a Mayor of Bordeaux from a famous family of traders, was a subsequent owner.
Since its purchase by Florence and Daniel Cathiard in 1990, Smith Haut Lafitte has become one of the leading lights of Bordeaux thanks to its elegant, powerful red and white wines. In twenty years, the owners have not only brought the wine of Smith Haut Lafitte up to the very highest level, but also restored the château's 16th century tower, completely renovated two underground cellars, built their own cooperage, and introduced such organic methods as horse-drawn ploughing, home-made compost and the use of plant extracts.
Enchanted with this tasting of the finest wines of the Bordeaux wine region, historic cradle of the wine culture in the world, you will return to your ship.
- This tour involves moderate walking on paved and pebbled terrain. You must negotiate various steps to visit the property and its wine cellars. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility or in a wheelchair. This tour is limited to 25 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Saint Emilion village and Château SOUTARD
There can be no better place to start a visit to this attractive region than UNESCO World Heritage Classified Saint Emilion region and village, heartland of the Merlot grape, which produces delicious, rich, round wines.
The vines on the "hill with a thousand châteaux", reach right up to Saint Emilion's 13th century town walls and surrounding moat dug out of solid rock. Members of the local wine brotherhood, the Jurats, proclaim the vintage banns in much the same way as their ancestors did during the reign of Richard the Lion heart.
You will visit the main monuments of the town: the Collegial church and its magnificent cloister from the 12th century, the ramparts (12th), the marketplace. Strolling in the streets, you will also see the Cadene gate and the King's Tower. You will then have some time at leisure for shopping.
Continue your discovery of the first UNESCO classified village by driving through the vineyard and going to the impressive Château Soutard where you will be explained the techniques of wine making during the visit of the cellars, before a wine tasting.
- This tour involves walking over cobblestone streets and some steps. We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. This tour is not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties due to steep cobblestoned streets in Saint-Emilion in addition to several stairs in the château.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
L'Austral
Innovative design, sleek shape and profile, refined interior decoration, friendly, intimate atmosphere: French designers and decorators have managed to give this ship a unique style and veritable signature of its own. Combinations of fine materials, colours and tones harmoniously livened up with touches of bright colour, elegant lines, discreet and subtle refinement… everything has been designed to create a unique atmosphere onboard, a veritable personality: the chic style and naturally relaxing ambiance of a veritable private yacht.
Up to 264 Guests
132 staterooms & suites
145 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Gastronomy & Wine
Succumb to the pleasures of fine dining as you enjoy the delights dreamed up or selected by the most talented sommeliers and Michelin-starred chefs of their generation. They will share with you their passion for the art of eating through gala dinners, tastings, workshops and fascinating talks. Special attention will be paid to the wines offered to you during these Gastronomy and Wine cruises: an exclusive wine list, expert wine and food pairings... As you visit the carefully selected ports of call in cities with a rich cultural heritage, the exceptional culinary and wine-tasting experiences are sure to surprise you.
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
No single supplement
FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT *
*The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.
Flight Credit £210
FLIGHT CREDIT
Air allowance of £210 per guest for flights booked with Ponant (appliable also on potential hotel nights).
Offer subject to availability and cannot be applied retrospectively. Offer non combinable with No Single Supplement offer. Offer available from 4th August to 11th September - code "ATL250"
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
Porto city tour & wine tasting
From the pier, board your coach and start your 30-minute scenic drive to Porto.
Upon arrival, you will visit the Francis Church which is the most prominent Gothic monument in Porto and is also noted for its outstanding Baroque inner decoration.
You will continue your walk to the riverside, also known as the Ribeira one of Port’s landmarks, you will enjoy free time for shopping and stroll around this area.
You will then be driven to the Taylor’s wine cellar. Taylor’s is the archetypal Port house and it wines the quintessential Ports. Established over three centuries ago in 1692, Taylor’s is one of the oldest of the founding Port houses. It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest styles. Above all, Taylor’s is regarded as the benchmark for Vintage Port.
Noted for their elegance and poise as well as for their restrained power and longevity, Taylor’s Vintage Ports are blended from the finest wines of the firm’s own quintas or estates, Vargellas, Terra Feita and Junco. These three iconic properties, each occupying a distinct geographic location and with their own unique character, are the cornerstone of the company’s success and the main source of its unique and inimitable house style.
Taylor’s is also respected as a producer of wood aged ports and holds one of the largest reserves of rare cask aged wines from which its distinguished aged tawny Ports are drawn. The house is also known as the originator of Late Bottled Vintage, a style which the firm pioneered and of which it remains the leading producer. Based in Porto and the Douro Valley the family company is closely involved in all stages of the production of its Ports, from the planting of the vineyard, the cultivation of the grapes to the making, ageing, blending and the bottling of the wines. The family’s commitment to the future of Port is demonstrated in its single-minded dedication to the highest standards in Port production, its continued investment in all aspects of the firm’s operations and its determination to preserve the unique environment of the Douro Valley through the promotion of sustainable and responsible viticulture.
Following your visit and wine tasting, join your coach with a 30-minute drive back to the ship.
- This tour involves moderate walking on both uneven and flat surfaces and includes several steps inside the monuments and the wine cellar. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility. Appropriate clothing is required to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. The wine tasting is included on your tour. In case of religious services, the visit of the church will be an outside visit only.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Tram tour of Porto
From the pier, board your coach and start your drive to Porto.
Upon arrival, you will visit the Tramcar Museum and its collection of trams dating from 1871 until 1950s. Built in 1992, the Tram Museum retraces the history of trams in Porto by means of a plethora of exhibits. One of the highlights is the tram number 22: the first tram operating on the Iberian Peninsula. Overall, the period of time covered by the exhibits starts in the second half of the 19th century, calling forth, at least for the nostalgic public, the atmosphere of those times when getting around was not necessarily a matter of speed.
You will then board one of these historical trams and enjoy a ride along the riverside finishing next to the imposing S. Francis Church. On the bus you will be driven till the Cathedral.
The Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto in Portuguese) is the most important religious building in the city and has been declared a National Monument. The construction of the cathedral began during the 12th century, but it was rebuilt and renovated numerous times throughout the centuries. This explains why the cathedral is a blend of architectural styles. The temple is predominantly Baroque in style, although its façade and the nave are Romanesque and its cloister and one of the chapels are Gothic in style. Inside, the large pillars make the nave seem narrow with a high ceiling, it has bare walls, and only the high altar and some of its chapels are decorated in Baroque style.
Finally, a short walk will take you to São Bento Train Station to admire its unique collection of white and blue glazed tiles before joining your coach and your ship, after a 45-minute drive.
- This tour involves moderate walking on both uneven and flat surfaces and includes several steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility. The museum is divided between two floors without elevator. Appropriate clothing is recommended to enter religious sites: shoulders and knees must be covered. In case of religious services, the visit of the Cathedral will be an outside visit only. The tour is limited to 28 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Porto through your camera
From the pier, board your coach and start your 30-minute panoramic drive to explore Porto. Accompanied with a professional photographer, you will capture the main highlights of the city.
Porto, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, is the gateway for a journey across the natural and cultural diversity of the region. It is known for the Porto wine which is shipped from here all over the world, but also for a heritage which combines ancient churches and monuments, such as the Cathedral and the Church of São Francisco, and modern buildings, such as Casa da Música and the Serralves Museum. The city is also famous for its School of Architecture which bred names like Álvaro Siza Vieira and Eduardo Souto de Moura, both winners of the Pritzker Prize.
Strolling through the city, you will discover the Cathedral which is located in the historical centre. It is one of the city's oldest monuments and one of the most important Romanesque monuments in Portugal.
Your walk will lead you to the Ribeira area, one of the city's oldest neighbourhood. Historically the quayside here was one of the busiest points on the River Douro with cargo ships sailing both up and down-stream and landing here. Today it is equally bustling but the major trade here is now tourism.
You will then cross the art street of Rua da Restauração before reaching the Santa Catarina Belvedere overlooking the Douro river.
Finally, you will join your coach for a 30-minute drive to your ship in Leixões.
- This tour involves 3 hours of walking on both uneven and flat surfaces and includes several steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour will be done with your own camera. The professional photographer speaks only English. This tour is limited to 20 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Santiago de Compostela
From the pier, you will board your coach and drive to Santiago de Compostela (a one-hour and fifteen-minute drive), one of the most important cities in Europe and the third most important place in the world for Christian pilgrimage.
Your tour will start by the Obradoiro Square where your guide will present you all the details of this square during a walking tour. You can admire the Cathedral, the Town hall, the Pazo (Palace of Saint Jerome) and the Hostal dos Reis Católicos. This former hospital was built in 1501 by orders of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile to welcome unwell pilgrims and replace the old hospital which was then on the current Plaza de la Azabachería. Today it continues to fulfil its function of hosting service to the traveller, although it has a luxurious character. Every day, a dozen pilgrims carrying their compostela (pilgrim certificate) are allowed in the kitchen to graciously receive a meal.
Your guide will give you a complete description of the outside of the Cathedral and will show you the Jubilee Door which is only opened for the pardons of each Jubilee Year.
Then, you will have some time at leisure to walk along the historical streets before meeting your guide at the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, for the lunch served in one of the dining rooms of the hotel.
Before boarding your coach to Vigo, you will enjoy an inside visit of the Cathedral with the tomb of Saint James, maybe the most important piece of the Cathedral, the “Portico da Gloria” whose lintels were laid in place in 1188, one of the capital works of mediaeval sculpture. You will also visit the museum of the Cathedral.
- This tour involves 2 km (1,5 mile) of walking on cobblestone streets with many steps during the Cathedral visit. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). The lunch is included in your tour.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
From the pier, you will board your coach and drive to your starting point of your hiking on the way of cross, 45-minute drive.
You will walk on the Spanish part of the way of cross borrowed by the pilgrims, to this day, to join Santiago de Compostela.
Santiago de Compostela is one of the most important cities in Europe and the third most important place in the world for Christian pilgrimage.
Once arriving, you will discover the Obradoiro Square where your guide will present you all the details of this square during a walking tour. You can admire the Cathedral, the Town hall, the Pazo (Palace of Saint Jerome) and the Hostal dos Reis Católicos. This former hospital was built in 1501 by orders of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile to welcome unwell pilgrims and replace the old hospital which was then on the current Plaza de la Azabachería. Today it continues to fulfil its function of hosting service to the traveller, although it has a luxurious character. Every day, a dozen pilgrims carrying their compostela (pilgrim certificate) are allowed in the kitchen to graciously receive a meal.
Your guide will give you a complete description of the outside of the Cathedral and will show you the Jubilee Door which is only opened for the pardons of each Jubilee Year.
Then, you will have some time at leisure to walk along the historical streets before meeting your guide at the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, for the lunch served in one of the dining rooms of the hotel.
Continue with an inside visit of the Cathedral with the tomb of Saint James, maybe the most important piece of the Cathedral, the “Portico da Gloria” whose lintels were laid in place in 1188, one of the capital works of mediaeval sculpture. You will also visit the museum of the Cathedral.
Finally, reboard your coach to join your ship, a one-hour and fifteen-minute drive.
- This tour involves active walking on uneven grounds and cobblestone streets with many steps during the Cathedral visit. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). The lunch is included in your tour.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Vigo & Baiona
From the pier, you will board your coach and start your scenic drive towards Monte Castro. Once arriving, you will enjoy a panoramic view on Vigo, its bay and its harbour.
Jules Verne wrote that Captain Nemo’s best kept secret was in Vigo. Did you know that this is where the Nautilus submarine came to stock up on gold? In Vigo’s estuary there are dozens of sunken ships loaded with the gold from the Americas, treasures that have not yet come to light.
Back to coach, you will drive to Baiona, one of the most important and characteristic fishing villages on the Galicia coast.
Here you will visit Parador Monterreal, an imposing 16th-century building that has been converted into a hotel. The fortress of Monterreal is highly evocative of times long past, with its walls (dating from the 11th to 17th centuries) and its mediaeval towers: the Reloxo, the Tenaza and the Príncipe Cativo. The walls are ideal for a pleasant stroll around the area, known as the Monte Boi Promenade, offering perfect views over the whole of Galicia’s southern coastline, and of course the town of Baiona.
Then, you will discover old centre of the village with the remains of its ancient walls. A walk through the historic centre reveals impressive pazos (manor houses), such as that of the Correa family (from the 18th century), now the town hall with a tall tower, coats of arms and beautiful balconies; the Casa Ceta (or Casa do Perdón) from the 14th century; the Casa Mendoza (or Casa do Deán) with arched walkways beneath (from the 18th century) and a superb Baroque façade, or the Casa de Salgado (from the 17th century).
Finally, re-board your coach and start your return drive to Vigo, a 45-minute drive.
- This tour involves 2 km (1,5 mile) of walking on cobblestone streets with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Pazo de Rubianes & wine tasting
From the pier, you will board your coach and start your 1-hour drive to Villagarcia.
Once arriving, you will visit the Pazo de Rubianes. Located in the Arousa estuary (Pontevedra), it is one of the three official lordships in Spain. The main building was constructed in the 15th century. In the 18th century the tower was pulled down, and a summer residence with rectangular plan was created. The gardens, with more than 11 hectares, have remarkable eucalyptus trees with perimeters of 12 meters, olives and magnolias. It has geometrical flowerbeds of French style, with sequoias and camphors. Its grandiose magnolias Magnolia grandiflora L. have been included in the Galician Monumental Tree Catalogue.
With an area of 25 hectares, the vineyard of Pazo de Rubianes is the largest in the region of Salnés. Don Gonzalo Ozores of Urcola - eighteenth Lord of the House of Rubianes and Marqués de Aranda- and his wife, Mrs. Paloma Rey Fernández Latorre, were responsible for the recovery of ancient vineyards and the new vineyard project that took place between the years 1997 and 1999. Don Gonzalo, great lover of his estate, had a great devotion for his vineyards and planned to produce wine on the property again. But he could not fulfil his dream before his death in 2006. His wife, Mrs. Paloma, picked up the baton in order to realise the desire of her husband. In 2009, ten years after the recovery of the vineyards, the first wine of this new winery of Pazo de Rubianes was bottled. Built in the 15th century, the cellar smells now like wine again, and allows to preserve the quality of each vintage. Only slightly less than 30 % of the grapes produced in the vineyards of Pazo de Rubianes are chosen to give rise to these exclusive wines with which each year comes the new crop of Pazo de Rubianes and García Caamaño wines.
After enjoying a walking tour on the gardens and the cellar, you will enjoy a tasting of this exclusive wine accompanied with tapas.
Finally, re-board your coach and start your return drive to Vigo, a 1-hour drive.
- This tour involves 2 km (1,5 mile) of walking on uneven paths with mud sometimes and some steps to enter the manor at Rubianes. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The tasting is included on your tour. The tour of the gardens will be guided by the Botanical experts of the estate and translate in French by your guide. This tour is limited to 50 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Basque coastline
Discover the Cantabrian corniche, the fishing port of Bermeo and historic Guernica. From the pier, travel along the colorful Biscayan coastline and see the dramatic views of the Cantabrian corniche.
You will first visit Guernica, once the capital of the Basque Country. The local lords and kings met here in democratic assembly to promise to respect the special laws of Vizcaya. On 26th April 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, the town was razed to the ground by German aircraft, sent by Hitler to support Franco's troops. Discover the Picasso’s Guernika mural reproduction, illustrating the bombing and showing the tragedy of war.
During your visit, see also the petrified trunk of an oak tree that miraculously survived the horrific bombing raid. In the Park of Europe are the famous sculptures, symbolising Gernika-Lumo as a city of peace. See the interior of the Casa de Juntas, where the Basque parliament has convened since 1979.
Continue to Bermeo, one of the area's most important fishing ports in the region. This colourful, working town has a large deep-sea fishing fleet that regularly operates off the coast of the Azores and southern Africa. See the popular Basque style architecture reflected in the fishermen's houses.
After the visit, drive to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe for a photostop before returning to the pier in Bilbao.
- This tour involves 1 mile (1.5 km) of walking on cobblestone streets in Bermeo and inclines in Guernica. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. As the Basque government meets at Casa de Juntas, it is subject to closure without any previous notice.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
The elegant Basque Country city
From the pier, you will board your coach and start the 1-hour drive to San Sebastián, across the Spanish border.
The Kings and Queens of Spain chose San Sebastián as the royal seaside resort just as Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie chose Biarritz. Today San Sebastián remains a brilliant and seductive city, a cultural hub of the Basque Country.
After a photo stop at Monte Igueldo, which provides a panoramic view of San Sebastián Bay, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city.
Then, you will make your way to the old town where your guided 45-minute walking tour will start. You will visit the city's "old quarter" with its narrow pedestrian streets.
Continue on to the famous streets lined with "tapas" bars, where you can enjoy some free time to experience the atmosphere while enjoying some tapas with Spanish wines or local cider (at your own expense).
Finally, you will return to your ship after a 1-hour drive.
- This excursion involves approximately 1.5 km (1 mile) of walking on uneven ground with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is limited to 105 participants. The tapas are not included in the price.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz & Biarritz
From the pier, you will meet your guide and start your walking tour through the historic town.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz was formerly a famous pirate port. The Basque "privateers" sailed under the authority of the French King and were the scourge of English merchant ships. Saint-Jean-de-Luz became a veritable "pirates nest" and many of the fine houses today were built from the revenues of the privateers. The golden age of prosperity for the town was crowned by the marriage of Louis XIV and Maria Theresa of Spain in the Basque church in 1660. The royal wedding, which took place in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, was the result of the "Treaty of the Pyrenees" signed between France and Spain the previous year. The two houses where the couple awaited the marriage can be seen on either side of the town square. The Basque church of St. John the Baptist is particularly interesting. The doorway the couple used to leave after the ceremony was immediately walled up so that no-one else could cross the royal threshold. The interior is one of the finest examples of religious Basque architecture with classic wooden balconies typical of Basque churches.
Afterwards, you will board your coach and make your way to Biarritz. En route, you will pass Bidart and Guethary, typical villages of the region with their "fronton", where the Basques play the "pelota", their traditional sport.
Once you arrive in Biarritz, you will enjoy a guided panoramic tour following by a walking tour.
You will discover the "Queen of resorts and the resort of Kings" and the "Grande Plage", the main beach in town, where surfers from all over the world come to ride the waves.
Continue on to the hotel du Palais. Its façade overhangs the golden beach of Biarritz and recalls the idle and frivolous period of the 20's. Built in 1855 as a summer house for the Imperial couple, the building owes its E shape to the name of the Empress Eugenie.
The next stop will be the cosy fishing port nestled in the rocks. It is considered by many to be a separate tiny village within the city of Biarritz.
After the fishing port, it's off to the Rock of the Virgin, a landmark in Biarritz. This "island" is attainable only by an imposing bridge which was constructed by Gustave Eiffel, the same architect who, of course, designed the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris.
You will conclude your ocean front tour of Biarritz with the ancient whaling port, whaling having been an integral part of the history of Biarritz. It is an interesting as well as amusing tour packed with anecdotes from Biarritz’s colourful past. A photo-stop will be made at the lighthouse, located on the northern part of Biarritz with its panoramic view of the city.
Finally, you will return to your ship after a 30-minute drive.
- This excursion involves approximately 0.7 mile (1 km) of walking on uneven ground with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is not recommended for guests with any mobility restrictions. This tour is limited to 70 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Cristobal Balenciaga Museum
From the pier, you will board your coach for the 1-hour drive to the medieval port town of Getaria, located in the Basque Country of Northern Spain. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a short introduction before your free flow visit of the museum and its collections
Opened in June 2011, the fascinating Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum honours the life and legacy of the great fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972), who came to define haute couture in the 50s and 60s. The location of the museum is no accident: It is situated in the designer’s hometown of Getaria, Spain.
At the museum, you will discover the designer’s dresses displayed like works of art, which some would argue they are. Talented in sewing and tailoring from a young age, Balenciaga is credited with transforming the silhouette by broadening the shoulders and narrowing the waist. In the late 1950, his high-waisted Empire dresses and kimono-like coats become icons of the industry, drawing the eye and patronage of celebrities and royalty, including Fabiola de Mora y Aragon, who wore a Balenciaga design for her 1960 wedding to King Baudouin I of Belgium.
Among the “masterworks” on display during the museum’s first season were a coat and dress designed by Balenciaga and commissioned by Grace Kelly as well as the aforementioned Aragon wedding dress.
The museum buildings are works of art unto themselves. One building is the historic Aldamar Palace, while the second is a new building designed by Cuban architect Julian Argilagos. A long, curved, slightly trapezoidal space, the new annex boasts integrated floor-to-ceiling glass walls and gracious gallery interiors to house Balenciaga’s fashions.
Finally, you will make a 1-hour return drive to your ship.
- This excursion involves some walking and some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The visit of the museum is not guided.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
La Rhune mountain train
From the pier, you will board your coach and leave the shoreside to venture into the mountainous part of the Basque Country, 30-minute drive.
La Rhune mountain, covered in dolmens, stone circles and other Neolithic monuments, was held to be a sacred place in the Basque mythology. Later on, considered as a ritual meeting place for witches, the mountain became, up until the 18th century, home to a hermit monk whose duty was to keep witches away and ensure good winds.
A few centuries later, the mountain became a notable smuggling route, especially for refugees during the Spanish Civil War and World War II.
Only 905 meters high, La Rhune is today a popular site for walks and hikes, but is also known for its rack railway, the Petit Train de la Rhune. Built in 1924 and perfectly maintained, this train with wooden carriages will take you to the top of the Rhune mountain, where you will enjoy exceptional views from the 360° viewing terraces: from the French coast across the Pyrenees Mountain range, and out to the Spanish Northern coast, far-reaching in all directions.
Once arriving, you will have the choice between enjoy some free time or follow your guide during a short walking tour on the Rhune mountain.
Finally, you will return to your ship, 30-minute drive.
- This excursion involves some walking time with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is limited to 35 participants. La Rhune mountain train is not exclusive for PONANT’s guests. The train ride lasts 30 minutes on each way.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Royan architecture tour
From the pier, board your local coach and take the 30-minute panoramic drive to Royan. Renowned for its particularly mild oceanic climate, the French department of Charentes-Maritime is one of the sunniest regions on the French Atlantic coast. Between sea and countryside, discover exceptionally rich historical and cultural heritage.
Upon arrival, start your exploration by foot. Your local guide, architecture specialist, will focus on post-war unique architecture.
At the foot of the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, Royan is a famous family seaside resort, renowned for its beautiful fine sandy beaches, its unique architecture, a mix between Belle Epoque villas and 1950s urban design – including the emblematic Church of Notre Dame, and its wide range of sporting and cultural activities for all ages. Totally destroyed by the Allied air bombings in 1945, the city of Royan has become a laboratory for modern architecture and urbanism. Since, it is considered as a unique example of the architecture of the 1950’s.
During this tour, you will discover the most beautiful sites of Royan, including the Cathedral of Royan, the covered market and the charming residential districts. After your guided walk, enjoy some free time in Royan before rejoining your coach.
- This tour involves walking approximately 2,5 miles (4 km) on mostly ground with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Château Lafite Rothschild
Château Lafite Rothschild belongs to the small and exclusive list of wine producing estates awarded the prestigious 1855 classification of First Growth status. The first references of the property date as far back as 1234 when the property was under the ownership of Gombaud Lafite. However it wasn’t until the 17th century when the Ségur family purchased the property that the majority of the vineyards were planted by Jacques de Ségur.
It was actually during the early 18th century when Nicolas-Alexandre, Marquis de Ségur, the son of Alexandre Ségur and heiress of Château Latour, refined the wine making techniques of the estate and introduced his wines to the upper classes of European society that Lafite solidly gained its reputation as a winemaking estate. Nicolas-Alexandre became famously known as “The Wine Prince” and Lafite’s wines became known as “The King‘s Wines” thanks to the influential support he received from such notable political figures such as Maréchal Richelieu and a visit from future US president Thomas Jefferson.
After the French Revolution, the Ségur family’s ownership of the estate came to a brutal end with the execution of heir Nicolas Pierre de Pichard during the Reign of Terror. The estate became a public property and was subsequently sold to Dutch merchants. A written reference dating back to 1797 describes the estate as a Premier Cru of Medoc, long before the official 1855 classification was established. It was thanks to the intermediary ownership by the Goudal family that records were saved and preserved for future marketing and winemaking plans. They also are credited with creating the cellar and saving many of the oldest bottles in existence.
Eventually the Château was purchased in 1868 by Baron James Mayer Rothschild who renamed the estate Château Lafite Rothschild. He died just three months after its purchase, thus leaving his three sons as heirs to the property. The estate has remained within the family ever since. Over the years the Domaines Baron Rothschild have expanded and developed in several countries and they were one of the first to invest in South America.
The best way to approach this estate, so rich in history and so impassioned with its pursuit to make the finest wines in the world is to go to the source and visit it by yourself. Visit the underground circular cellar and vault supported by its 16 columns which holds 2,200 barrels, walk among the 112 carefully tended hectares of vines making note of the gentle rises and the thick layer of gravelly soil composed of sand, clay, marl and limestone. Then, following the visit, close your eyes and delight your taste buds during your tasting as you search for the nuances which are found in these remarkable wines.
- We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and clothing for the visit. This tour includes the tasting of 2 wines. Excursion limited to 15 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Hiking tour through Pauillac
Leaving the ship on foot, you will enjoy a nice guided walk though Pauillac village and the vineyards.
During this guided walk you will learn the secrets of the Gironde Estuary, see the departure site of Lafayette on its way to the Independence War, learn about the locals, countryside life and fishing techniques. Following your walk through Pauillac village, continue with a walk through the vines where your guide will show you the gravels and the grapes that make this beautiful estate one of the best of the world!
On your way you will discover some of the most prestigious Pauillac classified wine estates such as Château Latour, and Château Pichon Longueville.
- We recommend you wear walking shoes and sports clothes. This tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties. This tour is limited to 20 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€: the excursion price is less than €50.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
The famous Medoc Château Road
The Medoc wine road, located between the Gironde Estuary and the Landes forest, provides magnificent views of the vineyards. You will have the opportunity to take photos of some of the most famous Châteaux of the area. Medoc vineyards are orderly and well-kept almost to the point of fanaticism, and the region's world famous châteaux produce wines that are nothing short of divine… Moulis, Listrac, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac, Médoc, Haut Médoc and Margaux (with the celebrated château of the same name).
You will visit the cellars of one of the famous estates: Château Gruaud Larose, located in Medoc district of Saint-Julien.
After a short stop at Chateau Margaux, continue your way to Château Gruaud Larose, situated on the Saint-Julien terroir just next to the village of Beychevelle, close to the 'Route des Chateaux'. While the surface of this district is quite small, it assembles the greatest concentration of 'Cru Classé' (classified growth) wines in the Medoc.
The vineyard is stretching over 82 hectares of gravely soil overlaying calcareous clay which gives a fine wine with character. As a result, it was classified « Second Grand Cru » (top ranked growth) in 1855. Throughout the centuries, Chateau Gruaud Larose has managed to impose a perfect balance between nature and the consideration of man’s work in its quest for excellence. The estate’s motto is 'The King of Wines and the Wine of Kings'. The nose and the bouquet of Château Gruaud Larose reveal the identity of its Medoc origins. An intense elixir imposing its tannic and spicy richness. A superb concentration, an unusual strength in the fruit and an astonishing final – profound and aromatic.
On site, you will first discover the estate from above, thanks to the recently built tower offering a spectacular view on the estate, its vineyards and the Gironde river. You will then proceed to the vat and barrel cellars and be introduced to the secrets of wine-making-techniques, before following your guide to the tasting room so as to indulge yourself with their wines.
You will enjoy a special tasting of two wines from the estate paired with French cheeses.
- This tour involves moderate walking on paved and pebbled terrain. You must negotiate various steps to visit the property and its wine cellars. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility or in a wheelchair.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Sauternes : Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey
Located in the Sauternes wine region, Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey is a magnificent wine estate, classified Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855. Nearby Chateau Yquem, its 37.5 hectares of vineyards stand on the third terrace of the Sauternes appellation, over 70 metres above sea level.
The ‘L’Enclos’ and ‘Maisons Rouges’ plots of land (15 hectares) form the historic heart of this exceptional terroir, with the others distributed near various Crus Classés within the appellation, in the form of five-hectare islands (Yquem, Suduiraut, Guiraud, Rieussec and d’Arche). A wide range of soils and subsoils (mostly gravel and clay) have been recorded here, a unique typology which explains the exceptional aromatic complexity offered up by Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey wines.
During your visit, you will discover the history of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, the territory of Sauternes, its viticulture and the secret of its sweet wines. You will be explained the special link that unites the Chateaux’s wines to the art of Lalique.
After visiting the estate (the “enclos”, the fermenting room, the cellars and the Chapel), you will be invited to taste three of the Chateaux’ wines. This liquid gold’s tastings will take place in the Vinothèque or the Chapel, entirely redecorated by Lalique, and nestled between the two historic wine cellars.
- This private tour is subject to a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 15 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Secrets of French oak wood barrel-maker
At Nadalié, family and business have gone hand in hand for five generations. Cooperage's art is the family true heritage. Today, learn about the complete process of cooperage (art of oak barrel making) and meet the craftsmen who make the beauty of that art… Dexterity, precision, attention to the quality of the product, you will discover a preserved know-how.
You will be impressed and astonished by the high productivity of these craftsmen that is only made possible by a high technical level acquired throughout decades of know-how and passion. From the selection of the oak trees to the final customisation of the barrel, expertise is at work. Despite improvement from modern research, analysis, machinery and wood selection techniques, the barrel making process has changed very little over the years and is extremely time intensive. To achieve the highest standards of quality, most of the work is still done by hand by highly qualified coopers.
During the visit of the “Tonnellerie Nadalié” you will learn the secrets of the production of the wine barrels, a major component of the wine ageing process. Discover the complicity in between chateaux wine masters and barrel makers, and how they predict the exchanges in between the French oak wood and the wine tannings during the wine’s ageing in the cellars, and finally how they monitor it to obtain the flavours they are looking for.
You will see the 'mise en rose' (how wine barrel 'raise the barrel') and the toasting which will give complex flavours to the wines. After this exclusive visit, you will taste wines stocked in differently-toasted-barrels or made from different oaks (French & American) to better understand how wine aromas differ according to barrel wood origins and wood toasting. Finally, you will taste the wine of the owning family’s wine estate, Château Beaurivage. After this immersion into the world of the wine barrel makers, you will return to your ship in Bordeaux.
- We recommend you wear flat and comfortable walking shoes. This private tour is subject to a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 25 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Gourmet City tour of Bordeaux
Once called the “Sleeping Beauty”, Bordeaux has awaken, and is listed as UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007. This distinction recognises the beauty and uniqueness of the architectural heritage style of Bordeaux, which has developed harmoniously over the centuries, while remaining remarkably preserved.
You will discover the Chartrons district where the wine trade was born, the Place des Quinconces, the largest square in Europe with its column commemorating the French Revolution, the Place de la Bourse, jewel of the façade of the quays with the Porte Cailhau. You will then walk from Place Pey Berland where you will find the Town Hall and the Cathedral, to Place de la Comédie and its Grand Théâtre, the Opera of the city in service since the 18th century, before re-embarking on your coach.
Your panoramic tour of Bordeaux will end at La Cité du Vin, an exhibition venue on the theme of wine inaugurated in 2016. By 2018, no less than 450,000 were pushing the door of this unique architecture, which reveals all the wealth and diversity of the world's wine. The Cité du Vin is an original cultural facility dedicated to wine as a cultural, universal and living heritage. It offers a spectacular journey around the world, through the ages, in all cultures. At the end of your visit through the permanent exhibition, a glass of wine will be offered on the 8th floor of the Cité du Vin offering a panoramic view of Bordeaux.
Your excursion will continue on the other side of the street, with a stop at the Halles de Bacalan, the new gourmet market hall of Bordeaux, rehabilitating and modernising the concept of the markets of yesteryear.
The many stalls animated by artisans, traders and producers - selected for their know-how and their complementarity - favour short circuits, 85% of the products on offer are from the area. A tasting of some of these products will be offered during your visit.
The tour will end with the short return trip to the ship.
- We recommend you wear flat and comfortable walking shoes. The order of the visits can vary and the internal visit of the Cathedral Saint André is dependent on the celebrations of the day.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Gourmet guided walking tour of Bordeaux
Departure on foot from the ship berth for a walking tour of the UNESCO classified city of Bordeaux.
Take advantage of this short guided walking tour of Bordeaux city centre to discover some local traditional specialties, like chocolate, canelé cake, cheese, and of course Bordeaux wine.
Walk by the Grand Theatre, built by Victor Louis in 1773, one of the most beautiful in Europe and a pure work of art from the 18th century. Continue through the old Bordeaux district towards the Parlement (parliament) and Bourse (stock-exchange) Squares, before reaching the Cathedral Saint André and City Hall area. End the tour with the luxury boutiques district, called “the triangle” by the locals, and the Quinconces square.
- This tour is not suitable for persons with walking difficulties as it includes walking long distances, sometimes on cobblestoned streets. The tour will be on foot only. We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. This tour is subject to a minimum of 10 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Farm of Neuvic, French caviar producer
Neuvic Estate spreads out over 19 hectares at the confluence of the Isle and Vern rivers, in the town of Neuvic.
It is situated on the land of a farm dating back to before the French Revolution, which left traces and memories that can still be seen and felt on the stone walls. The Isle River is omnipresent, whether crossing the property or bordering its contours with its meanders flanked by imposing chalky cliffs.
Domaine de Neuvic produces and markets the Caviar de Neuvic. It also produces caviar for other brands in accordance with precise specifications. Domaine de Neuvic is first and foremost synonymous with an innovative and stringent quality approach.
In 2013, Domaine de Neuvic received the acclaim of the Association France Initiative, chaired by Mr. Schweitzer, as one of ten "remarkable companies" in France. This title rewards its innovative approach, promotion of its region and recognition of human capital as a criterion for the overall success of the company.
During the visit of the estate, your guide will tell you all the secrets of sturgeons breeding and how to make caviar.
At the end of the visit, you will have the opportunity to taste the estate’s caviar, with a glass of sparkling wine!
- We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. This tour involves 1 ½ hour transfer each way.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Visit of Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Following a customized tour of the estate, you will visit the owners' private cellar, taste the estate's first wine, both white and red, and the young vines in red.
Today, you will be invited to a special confidential wine tasting at Pessac-Léognan Classified Great Growth Château Smith Haut Lafitte estate. This great growth owes its reputation as "the quintessential Graves" to its superb Günz gravel terroir in a single block. The estate's history dates back to the Crusades. The Scottish navigator Georges Smith acquired the château in the 18th century and Monsieur Duffour-Dubergier, a Mayor of Bordeaux from a famous family of traders, was a subsequent owner.
Since its purchase by Florence and Daniel Cathiard in 1990, Smith Haut Lafitte has become one of the leading lights of Bordeaux thanks to its elegant, powerful red and white wines. In twenty years, the owners have not only brought the wine of Smith Haut Lafitte up to the very highest level, but also restored the château's 16th century tower, completely renovated two underground cellars, built their own cooperage, and introduced such organic methods as horse-drawn ploughing, home-made compost and the use of plant extracts.
Enchanted with this tasting of the finest wines of the Bordeaux wine region, historic cradle of the wine culture in the world, you will return to your ship.
- This tour involves moderate walking on paved and pebbled terrain. You must negotiate various steps to visit the property and its wine cellars. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility or in a wheelchair. This tour is limited to 25 participants.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Saint Emilion village and Château SOUTARD
There can be no better place to start a visit to this attractive region than UNESCO World Heritage Classified Saint Emilion region and village, heartland of the Merlot grape, which produces delicious, rich, round wines.
The vines on the "hill with a thousand châteaux", reach right up to Saint Emilion's 13th century town walls and surrounding moat dug out of solid rock. Members of the local wine brotherhood, the Jurats, proclaim the vintage banns in much the same way as their ancestors did during the reign of Richard the Lion heart.
You will visit the main monuments of the town: the Collegial church and its magnificent cloister from the 12th century, the ramparts (12th), the marketplace. Strolling in the streets, you will also see the Cadene gate and the King's Tower. You will then have some time at leisure for shopping.
Continue your discovery of the first UNESCO classified village by driving through the vineyard and going to the impressive Château Soutard where you will be explained the techniques of wine making during the visit of the cellars, before a wine tasting.
- This tour involves walking over cobblestone streets and some steps. We recommend you wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. This tour is not suitable for passengers with walking difficulties due to steep cobblestoned streets in Saint-Emilion in addition to several stairs in the château.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.