88m
length
Get to know the story of this legendary yacht - having undergone a transformation and now heading back to sea, she offers her guests a uniquely exclusive travel experience. This is your invitation to sail, re-vitalise yourself, share the experience with others, and explore, contemplate and respect the world around us – an ode to freedom and the treasures of nature.
This sleek, expertly designed 88-metre-long and 56-metre-high three-master is one of the most majestic yachts in the world. In an age when everything is becoming computer controlled, it shines the spotlight back on the more manual, skilful art of sailing, combined with comfort, elegance, exclusivity and sustainability.
88m
length
34
crew members
32
guests
16
cabins & suites
1212m²
sails
1000m²
Spinnaker
The gastronomic offering onboard Le Ponant celebrates the delights of fine food and the riches of nature.
Wines, cheeses and olive oils from the regions visited; fruits and vegetables from local orchards and vegetable patches; honey and herbs and spices from the neighbouring maquis shrubland: you'll get to sample and taste everything the terroirs have to offer.
Travelling far off the beaten track; enjoying the delights of quiet and little-visited ports of call; marvelling at iconic sites and places; seeking out exceptional scenery, that unforgettable encounter you’ll never forget, the unique and unusual: such is the range of amazing experiences and magical moments the itineraries offered aboard Le Ponant have been designed to bring you.
Both onboard and at ports of call, Le Ponant offers a veritable invitation to enjoy authentic experiences and moments of rare privilege. Art, culture, gastronomy, nature, terroir, wellness, sport: take the time to taste, feel, listen and contemplate! Allow your senses to fully awaken and let yourself be guided by the crew and staff of Le Ponant, who will be able to provide you with all the help, advice and recommendations you require.
Feel the breeze on your face, lift your gaze, and admire the sight of the wind in the sails.
Opt for a water-based activity that allows you to explore the natural environment and connect with nature, such as glass-bottomed kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, scuba diving or snorkelling.
Take a dip in the best swimming pool of all: the sea, off the back of the yacht.
Savour a delicious glass of local wine on a secluded beach.
Visit local producers and learn about their products, then proceed from the vegetable garden to the plate.
Take care of your body and mind with a care treatment at the wellness space or enjoy a yoga or fitness session on the Sun Deck.
Le Ponant: the very essence of a cruise company founded by lovers of the sea and sailing. A magical yacht that captivates from the moment the sails are raised. The promise of a voyage designed with complete and total freedom in mind.
Something almost poetic takes place when you step onboard this spectacular three-master. The sparkle of the sea, the gentle kiss of the breeze on your skin, the lapping of the waves, the rustling of the wind in the sails, the scent of the fig trees as you approach the coast, the gourmet dishes showcasing local products and offering a voyage within a voyage; with all your senses fully awakened and alert, it’s now time for a real holiday, a holiday that will stay with you forever. It’s almost as if time stands still aboard this incredible luxury yacht.
PONANT’s iconic and freshly refitted three-master now offers over 16 staterooms & suites and embodies a simple philosophy: the freedom to do or not to do.
Onboard Le Ponant, like on dry land, everyone is free to set their own pace. Some may decide to read a book on the Sun Deck or sip a cocktail while contemplating the distant horizon, or take a stand up paddleboard or kayak and head out to enjoy an even more immersive experience amongst the blue of the waves. Others will disembark to go exploring by bicycle or make the most of the soft light of dusk in the quaint streets of a pedestrianised harbour. Or perhaps others will opt to settle down comfortably in a little isolated cove or on a deserted beach accessible only from the sea.
One crew member per guest, a dedicated chef preparing fine gastronomic food showcasing the local culinary heritage, delightful ports of call and enchanting experiences: the luxury onboard is first and foremost a luxury of the senses and the emotions.
On this three-master, you live and breathe the experience of the sea each day more than on any other ship. A voyage aboard Le Ponant is a shared communal experience based on a common passion for sailing, travel, exploring new horizons and enjoying unique new experiences. The must-see sights are experienced differently here, and secluded spots far off the beaten track shared enthusiastically with others.
Sharing: a central tenet of a voyage aboard this iconic yacht. Because to step aboard is to join the PONANT adventure, to see the wonderful spectacle of sailing and navigation from behind the scenes, and to share a unique experience with just a few other privileged guests.
Serene and leisurely relaxation, discovery and exploration, experiencing the local culture or discussing sailing and navigation with a member of the crew: all the itineraries and ports-of-call have been designed and selected to provide a surprising and charmingly enchanting experience. And when child-friendly cruises take place twice each year, Le Ponant shares this same taste for discovery and exploration with them too, through a range of meaningful activities designed with children in mind.
A melting pot of the Roman and Byzantine civilisations and Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, the Dalmatian Coast is as amazing as it is fascinating, whether it’s on the continent itself or on one of the hundreds of islands that make up this labyrinthine archipelago. This is a land of idyllic beaches edged with resplendent natural greenery and lapped at by crystal clear waves. The towns and villages here offer irresistible opportunities for exploration, leisurely strolls and gastronomic delight. Dubrovnik, the proud republic so strongly attached to its freedom; the ancient Ragusa, a rival of Venice due to its power; the surprising Sveti Đorđe, dominated by its monastery; Hvar, jewel of the Adriatic; the traditionally authentic Vis: all these destinations feature on this fascinatingly rewarding and enjoyable voyage.
Pučišća
When we were scouting for places to visit, we fell under the spell of the little port of Pučišća, which lies deep at the end of a fjord on the Croatian island of Brač. Go for a stroll along the long promenade and take advantage of the superb swimming and bathing opportunities to be found here – simply magical!
Pučišća
Stari Grad
Next stop Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, a charmingly traditional town with flower-adorned balconies, pretty shops, and narrow little streets looking like something straight out of a film set. This is where, if you like, you’ll be able to attend a concert featuring the traditional Croatian a cappella singing known as Klapa, which was inscribed as of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012.
Stari Grad
Korčula
In Croatia they say “pomalo”, which roughly translates as “life is good”. It’s a way of looking at life we wanted to share with you via a port of call on the mountainous island of Korčula, which is one of the greenest in the entire country, with its forests, vines and little harbours and coves. It’s here that you’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy a display of sabre dancing.
Korčula
Beautiful and culturally rich, Tinos, Polýaigos, Folegandros, Monemvasia, Kythnos and Spetses appear to float on the deep blue of the Aegean Sea. Ruins dating back two millennia and villages made up of architecturally simple, elegant buildings and brilliant white houses dot the myriad of little inhabited and uninhabited islands making up this unique archipelago. Here, alongside these idyllic beaches and thousand-year-old ruins, life appears to be lived to the rhythm of the waves and time seems to stand still, offering an irresistible invitation to simply savour the moment and dispense with all but the essential.
Tinos
Next stop Tinos – the wild pearl of the Cyclades – to discover and explore its pretty villages of white houses and its quaint flower-adorned streets. There are small producers scattered around this island, providing opportunities to savour the delights of locally grown produce. Immerse yourself in the easy, island pace of life as you participate in a wine tasting against the backdrop of the beautiful island of Mykonos and the deep blue of the Aegean Sea.
Tinos
Polýaigos
White cliffs plunging down to sparkling waters, the enchanting colour of the sunsets: welcome to Polýaigos, an inhabited volcanic island of spellbinding beauty. Enjoy a range of water-based activities from the mooring zone here, such as swimming, stand up paddleboarding, and kayaking; and contemplate the wild, untamed beauty of the scenery and surroundings.
Polýaigos
Folegandros
The chora (Greek for “town”) of Folegandros is a veritable jewel of a place that has managed to retain its traditional authenticity together with a very unique and incredibly charming ambiance. You’ll adore the swimming and bathing here on this arid and mountainous island adorned with a beautiful unspoiled beach. Or perhaps you’ll prefer strolling around the little flower-adorned cobbled streets of one of the most beautiful villages in the Cyclades.
Folegandros
With 16 staterooms & suites (including an Owner’s Suite) to choose from, PONANT has chosen to place the emphasis on space and freedom aboard Le Ponant in order to give guests a sense of being on their own private yacht. The suites and cabins are spread over three decks, with each benefiting from large windows and offering soft, calming light conducive to calm tranquillity, relaxation and contemplation.
Though it has everything a luxury yacht should have – panoramic restaurant, lounge bar, gym, spa – it’s from the exterior, with all the sails deployed, that the uniqueness of Le Ponant really comes to the fore. The sight of the crew busy at work is there for all to enjoy: sailors on the decks; chefs at the ovens; crew and high command always available to answer questions from those who want to find out more about navigation, the maps and charts, and other secrets of the maritime world. With 34 crew members in total, the watchwords onboard are “closeness, attentiveness and availability” – an approach that provides you with safety and peace of mind and redefines the very notion of what a luxury cruise should be.
Offering a different way of travelling and sightseeing, respecting the environment, sharing the pleasures and secrets of the sea, making every aspect of the sailing experience visible: these are the commitments the captain of Le Ponant and his crew are dedicated to honouring. Hear what he has to say about it in his own words in an interview filled with his passion and love for his profession.
For a sailor, a ship is a living being in its own right that conveys a sense of essence similar to a soul. I often say that at 10 knots and above, the bow wave of the Le Ponant sings a melody that can be heard from the Sun Deck. I can’t promise you fine weather every time or guarantee calm seas, as we’ll need wind to travel under sail and explore the spectacle of nature each day. But I do promise safety, the search for comfort and an experience out of time and place to those who come aboard!
The striking lines, the quality of the materials, the sophistication of the way they’re combined: the common areas, designed by French design studio Jean-Philippe Nuel, exude a sense of timelessness and offer a genuine connection with the exterior scenery and landscapes. Their design offers a blend of purity, excellence and a sense of easy living through the prominent use of stylish plain tones: off-white, taupe and caviar grey. No flourishes or embellishments here, but instead a unity between the common areas and the staterooms.
Making time stand still, being free as a bird, and getting back to the roots of sailing are also about combining travel with protecting the environment. Le Ponant, the iconic yacht that has played such a significant role in the PONANT story, reflects the company's commitment to responsible tourism. Now equipped with the latest technological innovations, its ambition of reducing its emissions is now more relevant than ever.
Non-motorised water-based activities, individual or small-group disembarkations only, a strong emphasis on tailoring the experience to the destination and focussing on local heritage, the use of mains connections at suitably equipped ports, periods of sailing using just wind power, innovative SCR filter system eliminating fine particles and reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 90%, ending the use of single use plastics onboard, selective sorting of waste, wastewater treatment using the latest generation technologies: everything has been designed with protecting the environment in mind.