Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
30% Ponant Bonus
20 m²
2
With featured guest Ian Dawson, British Photo Ambassador.
Le Commandant Charcot, a technological wonder capable of sailing in the most extreme environments, is opening up new horizons in unrivalled comfort and invites you to explore the Saint Lawrence. This river is not accessible to traditional ships in winter, so this exclusive and all-new PONANT journey lifts the veil on unique great open spaces, where the waters, once turbulent, freeze into ice, and where the forests are dressed in an immaculate white coat.
You will sail among different states and forms of ice - from drifting and fragmented sea ice to solid ice - and will be able to admire the evolution of this spectacular natural scenery from the reassuring cocoon of Le Commandant Charcot. In these lands, only the murmur of broken ice, bearing mysteries and legends, disturbs the calmness. Aboard the ship or on shore, you will seize the opportunities to explore these places where nature reigns supreme and in never-ending variety: boreal forests of immaculate conifers, snow-covered valleys and a sea of ice. Set off to discover this enchanting environment, thanks to winter activities such as hiking or snowshoeing, dog sledding or ice fishing. You may be lucky enough to see typical animals like caribou and elk in their natural habitat.
In this region, where souls are filled with deep serenity, the colourful houses and fishing huts stand valiantly. Their sparkling facades, in bright and vibrant colours, defy the harshness of the winter landscape. Here, in one of the "few places where you can experience the cold with so much warmth" (Saguenay proverb), you will receive a hospitable welcome from Quebeckers and the Innu and Micmac peoples in unforgettable get-togethers. These indigenous communities, who include some of the First Nations, will tell you about their stories, legends and ancestral traditions.
A journey suspended in time, where lives blend with the natural elements and where the wild beauty of nature is revealed in its full splendour.
The itinerary is subject to modifications. On board, the sailing programme, outings and activities cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions
Ref : QS025 - CC290125
Take a trip through the heart of nature as you explore the St. Lawrence in winter – a PONANT exclusive that is only possible on board Le Commandant Charcot – and enjoy a warm welcome from the people of...
"Join me on an enchanting and unique voyage on the St. Lawrence River. Learn to unlock the art of winter photography amongst breathtaking frozen vistas, vibrant waterfront houses, dog sleds speeding across icy ways and through the historic streets of Quebec. An unforgettable and all-new journey made possible by the unique capabilities of Le Commandant Charcot."
Ian Dawson
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Included in your cruise
To make sure things run smoothly, PONANT has included certain elements before and after your cruise as part of the price.
Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
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*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.
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Ian Dawson
Ponant Photo Ambassador, Ian, is an award-winning photographer, film maker and guide with a passion for the remote regions of our planet.
A fine art graduate, he has spent his career in the national media, both as a photojournalist and picture editor. He has covered everything from conflict, travel, the Royal Family and celebrities of stage and screen and many other commissions.
When not guiding for Ponant in the Arctic and Antarctic, his love of high and cold places regularly takes him mountaineering around the world. He is a member of The Alpine Club (the world’s first mountaineering club founded in 1857).
He has been active within Scottish Mountain Rescue for over 20 years as a medic with responsibility for training. He was recognised for his work in this field having been awarded both The Queen’s Diamond & Platinum Jubilee Medals.
Ian is a member of the Guild of Picture Editors, the British Association of Ski Patrollers, the Royal Photographic Society and the UK Mountain Leader Board. His photographic work is represented by Getty Images.
When not sharing his love of wild places, Ian lives with his family in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scotland.
Language spoken: English.
Photo credit: Sue Flood.
Clothing tips:
INSULATING BASE LAYER AND WATERPROOF OUTER LAYER :
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:
For men :
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, 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:
For men:
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.
INSULATED BASE LAYER:
WATERPROOF OUTER LAYER:
HEALTH CARE:
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
ACCESSORIES:
PONANT activities
Kayaking - Le Commandant Charcot
You will make the most of the sailing opportunities and weather and ice conditions to glide along on the clear waters or between the ice floes and get as close as possible to the immaculate nature of the poles. Supervised by licenced expert guides, you will try your hand in a kayak- a craft favoured by the Inuits for at least 4,000 years. The kayak was initially used for hunting and fishing; for you, it will be a means of making the most of your adventure on the White Continent or in the Far North.*
*with limited places available
*Activities subject to weather conditions, to be pre-booked before the cruise. More information available soon.
Embarkation 29/1/2025 From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 30/1/2025 at 6:00 pm
At the confluence of the Saint Charles River and the Saint Lawrence estuary, in the South-East of Canada, the capital of the Beautiful Province puts on its best finery in the winter season. During its long winter months, the historic streets of the city - whose name means “where the river narrows” in the Mi'kmaq language - are decked out in a cloak of snow. Let yourself be swept away by the unique atmosphere of the old town, including in the Petit Champlain district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the aromas of spices and hot chocolate emanating from the surrounding cafés will warm up hearts and souls alike. An oasis in the heart of urban life, the Plains of Abraham will provide you with the opportunity to try out the most popular winter activities, like cross-country skiing or ice skating, while making the most of sumptuous panoramas over the city that hosts the world’s largest winter carnival every year.
Arrival 31/1/2025
Departure 1/2/2025
During the long winter months, in the majestic Saguenay Valley, the borough of La Baie is cloaked in an aura of mystery. Here, the striking contrasts of its pristine lands, where nature displays its full splendour, invite you to experience a unique moment alongside the Saguenayens, a people amongst the most welcoming and hospitable in the world. During a snowshoe walk or a dog sled outing, as a passenger or a musher, take the time to observe immaculate nature bordered by a thick ice floe, where Le Commandant Charcot will remain for several days, and you will be able to disembark. Each winter, hundreds of colourful huts set up on these frozen waters to practice traditional ice fishing. You will be initiated into these ancestral techniques and have the pleasure of tasting freshly caught rockfish.
Arrival 2/2/2025
Departure 2/2/2025
In the heart of winter, the Saguenay River becomes an enchanting setting. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, set sail on a captivating cruise. The once turbulent waters of the Saguenay are now calm and silent, covered in a thick layer of ice. The trees lining its shores are wrapped in a glistening coat of snow, forming a majestic alley. At twilight, when the sun is setting behind the mountains, pink and gold reflections light up the horizon, turning the landscape into a bewitching tableau.
Arrival 3/2/2025
Departure 4/2/2025
On the edge of the Canadian landscape, between the icy waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Sept-Îles invites you on a unique journey. Surrounded by a captivating sea of ice and an immaculate boreal forest, the seven islands, eternal guardians of the coastline, seem to murmur timeless stories. In particular, you will have the privilege of meeting the Innu people, the indigenous civilisation of the Côte-Nord, during a unique moment when you will learn more about their ancestral customs and traditions. The area is famous for its winter festivities; like its emblematic Hivernants (hunters and trappers who would spend the winter), fall under the charm of its unique environment. During Nordic hikes on skis or snowshoes, you will be enchanted by its captivated landscapes.
Arrival 5/2/2025
Departure 6/2/2025
In the glacial darkness of the Canadian winter, Gaspé stands proud like a preserved and authentic jewel at the edge of the dark waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Nature seems to be holding its breath. The captivating Mount Jacques-Cartier, the highest point of the Chic-Choc Mountains range and the South, is dressed with an immaculate coat of snow, while the frozen rivers slowly wind their way, fixing time in their icy embrace. During a snowshoe walk, fall in love with the captivating landscapes of the L’Anse-au-Griffon Valley, right in the heart of the Forillon National Park. Then, in Percé, opposite the famous eponymous Rock, dive into the natural beauty of the “magic forest”, where thousands of conifers decked out in an immaculate white cloak are like silent guardians watching over this isolated piece of land. You may also fall in love with this charming town, where the exciting history and the conviviality of the locals come together in a delightful blend.
Arrival 7/2/2025
Departure 8/2/2025
Scattered through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the Magdalen Islands offer a variety of extraordinary landscapes, between captivating drifting ice floe, tall red sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches covered with an immaculate coat and snow-covered valleys. Here, winter really is a special season, a time of contrasts and mysteries. The icy winds intertwine with the softness of the salty air, and the colourful houses, dressed in their finest attire, stand bravely in this enchanting scenery. In these distant lands, you will be plunged into Acadian culture, you will discover ancestral traditions here and will have the chance to explore the unique landscapes on hikes or snowshoe walks along the icy shores.
Arrival 9/2/2025
Departure 9/2/2025
Anchored on the eastern shores of the province of Nova Scotia, Sydney, the largest town on the Cape Breton Island, stands proudly opposite the icy breezes of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Fall under the charms of an immaculate and preserved nature in this winter setting. Here, the snow-capped mountains plunge into the waters dotted with drifting ice floe, the rays of winter sun caress the captivating conifer forests with their golden hue, creating enchanting plays on light. On these lands steeped in history, the place where the Mi’kmaq indigenous people encountered the British and French explorers, discover a rich heritage shaped by these different visits, as evidenced by the emblematic Big Fiddle, the largest violin in the world standing over 18 metres (60 feet) tall.
Arrival 10/2/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 10/2/2025 at 8:00 am
Off the Canadian coast, discover Saint Pierre Island, one of the two main islands of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago, the only French territory in North America. Endowed with a natural harbour, the island, whose name is a reference to the patron saint of fishermen, developed around the fishing industry and still has many traces of its past today. Whale hunting, cod fishing, alcohol smuggling during the Prohibition: all of these memories are still very much alive in the capital, Saint-Pierre.
Quebec, the most French city outside France, is a concentration of stunning sites. Between the Old Town and the shores of the St Laurent River, discover the historic monuments and natural wonders – including the incredible Montmorency Falls - that give it its reputation.
The first stop is the Dufferin Terrace. Located almost 200 feet above the water, it was at this location that Samuel de Champlain built his fort in 1620. From here you will have a spectacular view of the St. Lawrence River, the Île d’Orléans and the Laurentian Mountains. You will also be able to admire Quebec’s most celebrated landmark, the Château Frontenac, which is only a few steps away. You will then have 35 minutes to visit the surroundings on your own.
Next, discover the Place Royale. Characterised by typical 17th- and 18th-century stone architecture, this market square is the heart of the Lower Town and is the site of Champlain’s first settlement. It is also the home of North America’s oldest Catholic church, Notre-Dame-des-Victoires.
Your next stop is the National Battlefields Park, also known as the Plains of Abraham. A magnificent 250-plus-acre park with hills, gardens, monuments, and artillery artifacts, this is the site where the French surrendered to the British in 1759.
Your itinerary will then take you along the Grande Allée - the Champs-Élysées of Quebec-, edged with pretty shops, cafe terraces and stores, stretching to the Parliament Building (Hôtel du Parlement), an impressive Second Empire-style building overlooking the city.
Finally, a few minutes from the fortified town of Old Quebec, the beautiful pastoral landscapes of the Quebec countryside await. One of the most striking sites among them will reveal itself in a roar of water and stone: Montmorency Falls Witness the power of nature here, where the falls gush out of the cliffs to meet the St. Lawrence River, and provide views that will take your breath away.
· We recommend you wear warm and comfortable winter shoes and clothing. This excursion is accessible for folding wheelchairs and for persons able to board the bus on their own.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Dive into Quebec’s history by strolling the cobbled streets of the Old Town. Founded by the French explorer Champlain at the beginning of the 17th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the only fortified city in North America to still have its ramparts.
First of all, you will go to the Place Royale. The stone buildings surrounding this historic square were once the homes of wealthy merchants. Built and rebuilt several times, the square remains the heart of the Lower Town as well as the home of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, North America’s oldest stone church.
At the corner of the square, discover the charming pedestrian district of Petit-Champlain. Scattered along its narrow cobblestone streets are an array of quaint boutiques, speciality shops and outdoor cafés with strolling musicians and street performers.
You will then board the funicular that connects the Lower Town to the Upper Town. Perched on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Château Frontenac is Quebec’s best-known monument. It was here that Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and William Mackenzie King met to discuss the Allied strategy during the Second World War. Now a luxury hotel, this château inspired by the French Renaissance and the châteaux of the Loire Valley is designated a National Historic Site of Canada. You will be able to make the most of the site and enjoy a cup of tea with delectable pastries.
Adjoining the château, the Dufferin Terrace forms a belvedere overlooking the waterway. Enjoy the spectacular views over the St. Lawrence River, the town of Lévis on the opposite bank, the Ile d'Orléans and the Laurentian Mountains. You will then explore the fortress district passing Place d’Armes, the Quebec Seminary, the Ursuline Convent, Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, and the Artists Alley.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Set off to discover the frozen landscapes of the St. Lawrence River during an exclusive canoeing adventure on the ice-covered river. In the middle of an immaculate decor, amidst sleeping nature, PONANT invites you to take part in a unique activity mixing sporting challenge, local traditions and breathtaking views.
· This excursion involves 10 minutes of walking. We recommend you wear warm and comfortable winter shoes and clothing. The ice canoeing requires moderate-to-intense physical effort.
Total : €500
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Dive into Quebec’s history by strolling the cobbled streets of the Old Town founded by the French explorer at the beginning od the 17th century, before taking part in a skating session in the very heart of this district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
First of all, you will go to the Place Royale. The stone buildings surrounding this historic square were once the homes of wealthy merchants. Built and rebuilt several times, the square remains the heart of the Lower Town as well as the home of North America’s oldest stone church, Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. At the corner of the square, discover the charming pedestrian district of Petit-Champlain. Scattered along its narrow cobblestone streets are an array of quaint boutiques, speciality shops and outdoor cafés with strolling musicians and street performers.
Following this visit of the Old Town, enjoy an ice-skating session, on Place d’Youville, opposite the historic centre’s beautiful buildings. Make the most of the lively atmosphere before going to Paillard, a favourite spot for a pastry and a coffee.
Then board the funicular that connects the Lower Town to the Upper Town. Perched on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Château Frontenac is Quebec’s best-known landmark. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and William Mackenzie King met here to discuss the Allied strategy during the Second World War. Now a luxury hotel, this château inspired by the French Renaissance and the châteaux of the Loire Valley is designated a National Historic Site of Canada. You will be able to make the most of the site and enjoy a cup of tea with delectable pastries. Adjoining the château, the Dufferin Terrace forms an ideal belvedere for admiring the spectacular views over the St. Lawrence River, the town of Lévis on the opposite bank, the Ile d'Orléans and the Laurentian Mountains. You will then explore the fortress district passing Place d’Armes, the Quebec Seminary, the Ursuline Convent, Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, and the Artists Alley.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In the majestic Saguenay Valley, the borough of La Baie is cloaked in an aura of mystery during the long winter months. Take your place on a dogsled for an unforgettable panoramic ride through these lands, where nature displays its full splendour.
On the musher’s signal, the huskies all move as one, their paws energetically striking the snow. The sled slides across the powder snow, leaving a soft wake behind it. As you adventure deeper into the snow-capped landscapes of La Baie, an enchanting tranquillity will set in. The frozen trees seem to hail your passage, their branches laden with snow. The scenery transforms into a living canvas of sparkling white, punctuated with the deep green of the fir trees. Majestic mountains stand on the horizon, their impressive silhouette cut out against a pure blue sky.
As you move forwards, wrapped up in layers of warm clothing, the musher will tell you stories about the region, adding a cultural dimension to your adventure. Then, as this discovery draws to a close, as the dogs gently slow their pace, you will become aware that this ride constitutes, in fact, a total immersion in the raw beauty and tranquillity of the Quebec winter.
After a snack and a maple taffy demonstration, climb aboard a snowmobile and head back to the kennel for the end of this unforgettable experience.
· For this excursion, we recommend you wear waterproof and comfortable boots and warm winter clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Fall under the charm of breathtaking landscapes during a snowshoe walk along the paths of Bec-Scie, natural jewel of Saguenay.
Accompanied by your local guide, enjoy a snowshoe walk in the forest to breathe in fresh air and take in the scents of nature. You will pass by the Rivière-à-Mars, brimming with salmon as well as with spectacular scenery, then you will cross an impressive natural corridor between two rock faces.
Your guide, a First Nations specialist, will talk to you about the indigenous community’s way of life and their culture and connections to nature.
· We recommend you wear warm and comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Discover one of the world’s biggest ice fishing villages and share a unique experience with enthusiasts of this well-established local tradition in the Saguenay Fjord.
In the company of your guide, walk to the ice fishing village on La Baie and discover the row of colourful cabins installed on the icy waters of the Saguenay. You will learn the ropes of ice fishing in one of these cabins, which are heated by wood. Next to the hole pierced in the ice, you will perhaps have the chance to catch one of the 60 species of fish found in this saltwater, such as smelt, rockfish, turbot, Greenland halibut or Arctic cod.
· We recommend you wear warm and comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Fall under the charm of breathtaking landscapes during a snowshoe walk along the paths of Bec-Scie, natural jewel of Saguenay.
Accompanied by your local guide, enjoy a snowshoe walk in the forest to breathe in fresh air and take in the scents of nature. You will pass by the Rivière-à-Mars, brimming with salmon as well as with spectacular scenery, then you will cross an impressive natural corridor between two rock faces.
Your guide, a First Nations specialist, will talk to you about the indigenous community’s way of life and their culture and connections to nature.
· We recommend you wear warm and comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Discover one of the world’s biggest ice fishing villages and share a unique experience with enthusiasts of this well-established local tradition in the Saguenay Fjord.
In the company of your guide, walk to the ice fishing village on La Baie and discover the row of colourful cabins installed on the icy waters of the Saguenay. You will learn the ropes of ice fishing in one of these cabins, which are heated by wood. Next to the hole pierced in the ice, you will perhaps have the chance to catch one of the 60 species of fish found in this saltwater, such as smelt, rockfish, turbot, Greenland halibut or Arctic cod.
· We recommend you wear warm and comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In the majestic Saguenay Valley, the borough of La Baie is cloaked in an aura of mystery during the long winter months. Take your place on a dogsled for an unforgettable panoramic ride through these lands, where nature displays its full splendour.
On the musher’s signal, the huskies all move as one, their paws energetically striking the snow. The sled slides across the powder snow, leaving a soft wake behind it. As you adventure deeper into the snow-capped landscapes of La Baie, an enchanting tranquillity will set in. The frozen trees seem to hail your passage, their branches laden with snow. The scenery transforms into a living canvas of sparkling white, punctuated with the deep green of the fir trees. Majestic mountains stand on the horizon, their impressive silhouette cut out against a pure blue sky.
As you move forwards, wrapped up in layers of warm clothing, the musher will tell you stories about the region, adding a cultural dimension to your adventure. Then, as this discovery draws to a close, as the dogs gently slow their pace, you will become aware that this ride constitutes, in fact, a total immersion in the raw beauty and tranquillity of the Quebec winter.
After a snack and a maple taffy demonstration, climb aboard a snowmobile and head back to the kennel for the end of this unforgettable experience.
· For this excursion, we recommend you wear waterproof and comfortable boots and warm winter clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Surrounded by sea and forest, the city of Sept-Îles has breathtaking views and a history forged over the centuries.
Dive into the history of this region north of the St. Lawrence River at the North Shore Regional Museum. The museum’s permanent exhibition “Land of Discovery: The Great Journey” invites visitors to explore 8,000 years of history. Whether you are interested in nature, industry or culture, the exhibition will help you discover the authentic character of the region and give you a glimpse into the courage, tenacity and pride of its inhabitants; in the Sept-Îles region, the presence of American Indian tribes goes back more than 7,000 years, whereas Europeans have known the site for almost 500 years. The museum also has two temporary exhibitions.
· This excursion could be modified depending on weather conditions.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Surrounded by sea and forest, the city of Sept-Îles has breathtaking views and a history forged over the centuries.
Dive into the history of this region north of the St. Lawrence River at the North Shore Regional Museum. The museum’s permanent exhibition “Land of Discovery: The Great Journey” invites visitors to explore 8,000 years of history. Whether you are interested in nature, industry or culture, the exhibition will help you discover the authentic character of the region and give you a glimpse into the courage, tenacity and pride of its inhabitants; in the Sept-Îles region, the presence of American Indian tribes goes back more than 7,000 years, whereas Europeans have known the site for almost 500 years. The museum also has two temporary exhibitions.
· This excursion could be modified depending on weather conditions.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Forillon National Park is one of the Gaspé Peninsula’s best-kept secrets and stretches between Gaspé Bay and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In winter, abundant snow, upon which few people walk, shapes new itineraries in the heart of a wild setting, a perfect painting to explore on snowshoes.
Forillon, which was declared a Canadian National Park to preserve the site’s beauty, has incredible views. Rocky capes, vertiginous cliffs, secret coves and pebble beaches all make up a wild coast, sculpted by the sea over 450 million years, while the inner valley shelters boreal forests and deciduous woodlands, privileged witnesses of the close connection that men have forged with their environment.
Near Anse-au-Griffon, in the company of a guide, you will set off to explore these rugged reliefs on snowshoes, along a wild trail called La Vallée.
· This snowshoe excursion is along a 4-kilometre (2.5-mile) path on sometimes uneven ground. We recommend you wear warm shoes, several layers of warm and comfortable clothing, gloves, a scarf and a woolly hat.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In 1534, Jacques Cartier berthed on the shores of the present-day Gaspé Peninsula, marking the beginning of western history in North America and the birth of Canada. In Gaspé, whose name means “land's end” in the Mi'kmaq language, this history is inseparable from that of the indigenous community that you will discover on the Gespeg site.
Located east of Quebec, the Gaspé Peninsula has breathtaking landscapes. The Appalachian Mountains plunge into the Gulf of St. Lawrence here, creating kilometres of coastline that are perfect for fishing and, these days, swimming.
Near Gaspé, the largest city in the province, dive into the history of the region’s first inhabitants and discover Mi'kmaq culture, their relationship with the surrounding nature and the links they forged over the centuries with European fishermen. At the Mi’kmaq Interpretation Site of Gespeg, the traditions of this indigenous community are unveiled through various objects and tools of interpretation, which recount the history and day-to-day lives of the ancestors.
· This excursion involves walking 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) on flat ground. We recommend you wear warm and comfortable winter shoes and clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Forillon National Park is one of the Gaspé Peninsula’s best-kept secrets and stretches between Gaspé Bay and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In winter, abundant snow, upon which few people walk, shapes new itineraries in the heart of a wild setting, a perfect painting to explore on snowshoes.
Forillon, which was declared a Canadian National Park to preserve the site’s beauty, has incredible views. Rocky capes, vertiginous cliffs, secret coves and pebble beaches all make up a wild coast, sculpted by the sea over 450 million years, while the inner valley shelters boreal forests and deciduous woodlands, privileged witnesses of the close connection that men have forged with their environment.
Near Anse-au-Griffon, in the company of a guide, you will set off to explore these rugged reliefs on snowshoes, along a wild trail called La Vallée.
· This snowshoe excursion is along a 4-kilometre (2.5-mile) path on sometimes uneven ground. We recommend you wear warm shoes, several layers of warm and comfortable clothing, gloves, a scarf and a woolly hat.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In 1534, Jacques Cartier berthed on the shores of the present-day Gaspé Peninsula, marking the beginning of western history in North America and the birth of Canada. In Gaspé, whose name means “land's end” in the Mi'kmaq language, this history is inseparable from that of the indigenous community that you will discover on the Gespeg site.
Located east of Quebec, the Gaspé Peninsula has breathtaking landscapes. The Appalachian Mountains plunge into the Gulf of St. Lawrence here, creating kilometres of coastline that are perfect for fishing and, these days, swimming.
Near Gaspé, the largest city in the province, dive into the history of the region’s first inhabitants and discover Mi'kmaq culture, their relationship with the surrounding nature and the links they forged over the centuries with European fishermen. At the Mi’kmaq Interpretation Site of Gespeg, the traditions of this indigenous community are unveiled through various objects and tools of interpretation, which recount the history and day-to-day lives of the ancestors.
· This excursion involves walking 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) on flat ground. We recommend you wear warm and comfortable winter shoes and clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Renowned for its stunning scenery and rich cultural history, the Magdalen Islands archipelago can also claim a fine culinary heritage, constantly renewed by passionate artisans, like the dairy, smokehouse and the brewery that await you here.
First stop: the Pied-de-Vent dairy, a delicious example of Madelinot perseverance and craftmanship. In just a few years, the artisans working here have successfully developed cheeses that are popular all over the country, such as the tasty Pied-de-Vent cheese and Tomme des Demoiselles. Their secret is their great love for their terroir combined with a savvy blend of tradition and modernity, as you will discover during your visit of the farm, followed by a tasting.
Then, after coming along the lovely Chemin de la Pointe Basse, scattered here and there with typical painted houses and farms – with small closed porches, consoles and corbels, verandas but also painted or stained cedar shingles which are reminiscent of the Acadian and French origins of their first inhabitants -, you will discover the Fumoir d’Antan. Now an eco-museum dedicated to herring smoking, this typical smokehouse brings to life this last vestiges of what was a very important industry in the past. It has been used for three generations to smoke herring, mackerel, salmon and scallops; you will find out all about its history before tasting some specialities.
Then go along the northern coast of the island and the aptly named Cap-Hérissé, which is home to spectacular sheer and rugged cliffs that have been sculpted by the sea, before your final port of call: the À l’abri de la Tempête brewery. Here, local ingredients reign supreme. The brewers started using locally malted barley, then moved on to harvesting and using fresh flowers, marine algae and herbs from the area, to brew unique full-flavoured beers that you will have the pleasure of tasting.
· There are no difficulties involved with this excursion. Participants must have a minimum age of 18 to take part in this visit.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Hike along the Fatima Cliffs
Take a tour of Grindstone Island (Île du Cap-aux-Meules) and walk along the spectacular Fatima Cliffs, which are under attack from the sea.
From Cap-aux-Meules village, you will head for the north of the island. You will reach the village of Fatima, located along the coast and encircled by sheer red sandstone cliffs. You will stop at the Belle Anse Belevedere, which is one of the finest examples of rock walls sculpted by the sea. You will hike along the cliffs to the Anse aux Baleiniers and access the Dune du Nord with its 18-kilometre (11-mile) beach.
Next, the bus will take you the stunning Pointe du Cap Hérissé, then you will be able to admire the fishing port of Étang-du-Nord. Taking the road for Gros-Cap, you will pass by the Saint-Pierre de La Vernière Church. It is one of the largest wooden churches in North America and dates back to 1876.
· This excursion involves walking 5 kilometres (3.1 miles). We recommend you wear walking shoes and warm and comfortable winter clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
You will be captivated by the enchanting landscapes of the Magdalen Islands during this unforgettable electric fat bike escapade.
Under a spellbinding boreal sky, Grindstone Island (Île du Cap-aux-Meules) and, more generally, the Magdalen Islands will reveal themselves like a living painting, a kaleidoscope of colours and contrasts wearing a winter coat. You will explore these coastal paths on an electric bike, discovering the region’s enchanting landscapes. Here, the ochre cliffs contrast with the fresh snow, while the colourful houses emerge like jewels from the immaculate landscape. Each bend unveils a new perspective and, in this winter tranquillity, you will discover the timeless magic of the Magdalen Islands, an adventure that will nourish the soul and awaken the spirit.
· This excursion involves walking on icy and snow-covered uneven ground. We recommend that you wear warm winter clothing and warm and comfortable shoes. A specific itinerary may be followed, depending on weather conditions. The duration of the excursion may vary slightly depending on the pace of the participants.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Renowned for its stunning scenery and rich cultural history, the Magdalen Islands archipelago can also claim a fine culinary heritage, constantly renewed by passionate artisans, like the dairy, smokehouse and the brewery that await you here.
First stop: the Pied-de-Vent dairy, a delicious example of Madelinot perseverance and craftmanship. In just a few years, the artisans working here have successfully developed cheeses that are popular all over the country, such as the tasty Pied-de-Vent cheese and Tomme des Demoiselles. Their secret is their great love for their terroir combined with a savvy blend of tradition and modernity, as you will discover during your visit of the farm, followed by a tasting.
Then, after coming along the lovely Chemin de la Pointe Basse, scattered here and there with typical painted houses and farms – with small closed porches, consoles and corbels, verandas but also painted or stained cedar shingles which are reminiscent of the Acadian and French origins of their first inhabitants -, you will discover the Fumoir d’Antan. Now an eco-museum dedicated to herring smoking, this typical smokehouse brings to life this last vestiges of what was a very important industry in the past. It has been used for three generations to smoke herring, mackerel, salmon and scallops; you will find out all about its history before tasting some specialities.
Then go along the northern coast of the island and the aptly named Cap-Hérissé, which is home to spectacular sheer and rugged cliffs that have been sculpted by the sea, before your final port of call: the À l’abri de la Tempête brewery. Here, local ingredients reign supreme. The brewers started using locally malted barley, then moved on to harvesting and using fresh flowers, marine algae and herbs from the area, to brew unique full-flavoured beers that you will have the pleasure of tasting.
· There are no difficulties involved with this excursion. Participants must have a minimum age of 18 to take part in this visit.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
You will be captivated by the enchanting landscapes of the Magdalen Islands during this unforgettable electric fat bike escapade.
Under a spellbinding boreal sky, Grindstone Island (Île du Cap-aux-Meules) and, more generally, the Magdalen Islands will reveal themselves like a living painting, a kaleidoscope of colours and contrasts wearing a winter coat. You will explore these coastal paths on an electric bike, discovering the region’s enchanting landscapes. Here, the ochre cliffs contrast with the fresh snow, while the colourful houses emerge like jewels from the immaculate landscape. Each bend unveils a new perspective and, in this winter tranquillity, you will discover the timeless magic of the Magdalen Islands, an adventure that will nourish the soul and awaken the spirit.
· This excursion involves walking on icy and snow-covered uneven ground. We recommend that you wear warm winter clothing and warm and comfortable shoes. A specific itinerary may be followed, depending on weather conditions. The duration of the excursion may vary slightly depending on the pace of the participants.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Hike along the Fatima Cliffs
Take a tour of Grindstone Island (Île du Cap-aux-Meules) and walk along the spectacular Fatima Cliffs, which are under attack from the sea.
From Cap-aux-Meules village, you will head for the north of the island. You will reach the village of Fatima, located along the coast and encircled by sheer red sandstone cliffs. You will stop at the Belle Anse Belevedere, which is one of the finest examples of rock walls sculpted by the sea. You will hike along the cliffs to the Anse aux Baleiniers and access the Dune du Nord with its 18-kilometre (11-mile) beach.
Next, the bus will take you the stunning Pointe du Cap Hérissé, then you will be able to admire the fishing port of Étang-du-Nord. Taking the road for Gros-Cap, you will pass by the Saint-Pierre de La Vernière Church. It is one of the largest wooden churches in North America and dates back to 1876.
· This excursion involves walking 5 kilometres (3.1 miles). We recommend you wear walking shoes and warm and comfortable winter clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For your serenity, PONANT selects a flight and organises the transfer between the port and the airport. This package is included in your cruise fare.
Disembarkation Day – Saint Pierre & Miquelon/Montreal
Disembarkation.
Meet and greet at the port by our local English-speaking representative.
Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of flight Saint Pierre & Miquelon/Montreal selected by PONANT.
Flight Saint Pierre & Miquelon/Montreal selected by PONANT.
Approximate flight duration: 2 h 10.
We highly recommend you stay one night in Montreal after this flight.
This programme includes:
This programme does not include:
Please note:
Polar Expedition
Make your dreams of adventure come true, explore the boundaries of the world, and discover wild and legendary territories. The icy immensity of Antarctica, the constantly changing glaciers and icebergs of the North Pole, the mysterious mists of the North European coastlines, the most remote fjords on the planet… Every destination unveils unrivalled landscapes, home to increasingly varied fauna. Our team of naturalist-guides will share their knowledge with you during varied lectures about the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology, the fauna and flora, and will invite you to share special moments with the local populations.
Free solo supplement
FREE SOLO SUPPLEMENT *
*The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.
Photo ambassadors
Sharpen your eye and capture the ephemeral! Head out to sea and develop your visual senses alongside our photo ambassadors. The on-board photo ambassadors are committed and renowned professionals who will share their passion and expertise during workshops offered on board or on shore, photography-based discussions and conferences. A recurring theme of PONANT cruises is the sharing of knowledge and culture: this serves to support and highlight our openness to the world. With the help of the photo ambassadors, you will truly participate in your exploration. Take the time to feel and to observe the world around you and keep a lasting imprint of the fleeting moments and intense emotions experienced during this cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 - Montréal
Meet at Montréal International Airport in the Arrival Hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
Then you will be transferred to the hotel Four Seasons Montreal 5*.
Rest of the day and dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 – Montréal
Breakfast at the hotel.
Start your day with a walking tour of Old Montréal. The historic character and charm of Old Montréal comes alive as you walk through its narrow, cobblestoned streets and alleyways and along its charming waterfront district, discovering the splendid architecture of one of the oldest cities in North America.
Warm up from the cold at Marché Bonsecours with Ice wine and local product tastings. Ice wine is a typical product from the region of Québec. It is a very sweet wine served with dessert or at the end of the meal. It is made from grapes that have frozen on the vine.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
Continue with a visit to Images Boréales, Canada's largest Inuit and Indigenous Art Gallery. Established in 2010, Galerie Images Boréales is proud to represent nearly 200 of Canada’s most established Inuit artists from all over Nunavut.
Return to the hotel.
Time at leisure, diner will be served at the hotel.
Day 3 – Montréal/Québec City
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
Today, witness the influence of the Anglo-Saxon bourgeoisie, established in Montreal at the end of the 19th century, through a walking tour of the Golden Square Mile. Indeed, it is exemplified by the Victorian architecture of the wealthy houses of that era. At the time, the people living in the Square Mile owned 70% of Canada’s wealth. This downtown historic district contains elaborate turn-of-the-century mansions, as well as the McGill University campus. See some of the prestigious houses, such as Mount Stephen Club, the Lady Meredith Hall and Ravenscrag, a huge property built by shipping magnate Sir Hugh Allen.
Continue with a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts along with your guide. Discover the Pavilion for Peace, a legacy project for Montreal’s 375th Anniversary. The Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion for Peace was named in honour of these generous Montreal patrons who survived the Holocaust. It is the largest private donation made to a Quebec museum in modern history.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
After lunch, board your coach for a 3-hour transfer to Québec City, stopping first in Wendake to visit the First National Museum. This national institution is dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage of the Huron-Wendat Nation. You will discover the permanent exhibition – Territories, Memories, knowledge, the Yändia’wish Room –, a space reserved for the temporary exhibition of the moment, and the Ekionkiestha’ National Longhouse. Each of these sites dedicated to learning will introduce you to a different aspect of Aboriginal culture and history, with a specific focus on those of the Huron-Wendat Nation.
Enjoy a cocktail before returning outside to experience Onhwa Lumina, an enchanted night walk that celebrates the Huron- Wendat Nation and their way of life. As night falls, you will be transported along a 1.2-kilometre pathway infused with the magic of light, sound and video projections. This immersive multimedia experience will invite you into a collective adventure rich with emotion, which bridges the founding myth to a vision of a bright and promising future.
Transfer to your hotel Fairmont Chateau Frontenac 5* and check in.
Diner and evening at leisure.
Day 4 – Québec City
Breakfast and check out.
Start the morning with a visit to the Hotel de Glace. With its majestic snow arches, crystal clear ice sculptures and beautiful rooms, the ice hotel offers its guests a one-of-a-kind winter experience. Each year, the hotel changes its theme, leaving ice carvers the possibility to create a unique and ephemeral hotel. Meet a sculptor who will share his experience and talent with you. Witness how the magic is created with your own eyes.
Bord your coach and transfer to Québec City.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
Transfer to the port in time for embarkation onboard your ship.
Your hotels:
The Four Seasons Hotel Montreal 5* is ideally located in the city centre. This hotel with a chic and modern décor is an institution in Montreal’s lively Golden Square Mile neighbourhood. It boasts a restaurant serving refined and local dishes, a wine and cocktail bar, and a Guerlain spa. All the Premium Carré Doré rooms feature a floor-to-ceiling window offering views of the city.
Ideally located inside the walls of Old Quebec, perched on a hill overlooking St. Lawrence, the chateau of the Fairmont Frontenac 5* is emblematic of Quebec. It was one of the first of a long series of château-style hotels and it was here that Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and William Mackenzie agreed on the allied forces’ strategy during the Second World War. Fairmont Gold rooms are located on a private level and feature private check in and check out, a lounge, an exclusive continental breakfast and afternoon tea.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotels:
Four Seasons Hotel Montreal
1440 Rue de la Montagne
Montreal, QC, H3G 1Z5
Telephone: +1-514-843-2500
Fairmont Le Château de Frontenac
1, rue des Carrières
Quebec City, Qc, GR1 4P5
Telephone: +1-418-692-3861
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$4,800
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 - Montréal
Meet at Montréal International Airport in the Arrival Hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
Then you will be transferred to the hotel Four Seasons Montreal 5*.
Rest of the day and dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 – Montréal/Québec City
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out and transfer to Montréal train station.
Board your train in business class for a 3 h 30 ride to Québec City. Breakfast or lunch will be served onboard depending on the final train schedule.
Upon arrival in Québec City, transfer to a local restaurant or directly to the port to embark onboard your ship.
Your hotel:
The Four Seasons Hotel Montreal 5* is ideally located in the city centre. This hotel with a chic and modern décor is an institution in Montreal’s lively Golden Square Mile neighbourhood. It boasts a restaurant serving refined and local dishes, a wine and cocktail bar, and a Guerlain spa. All the Premium Carré Doré rooms feature a floor-to-ceiling window offering views of the city.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotel:
Four Seasons Hotel Montreal
1440 Rue de la Montagne
Montreal, QC, H3G 1Z5
Telephone: +1-514-843-2500
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$1,760
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
Quebec, the most French city outside France, is a concentration of stunning sites. Between the Old Town and the shores of the St Laurent River, discover the historic monuments and natural wonders – including the incredible Montmorency Falls - that give it its reputation.
The first stop is the Dufferin Terrace. Located almost 200 feet above the water, it was at this location that Samuel de Champlain built his fort in 1620. From here you will have a spectacular view of the St. Lawrence River, the Île d’Orléans and the Laurentian Mountains. You will also be able to admire Quebec’s most celebrated landmark, the Château Frontenac, which is only a few steps away. You will then have 35 minutes to visit the surroundings on your own.
Next, discover the Place Royale. Characterised by typical 17th- and 18th-century stone architecture, this market square is the heart of the Lower Town and is the site of Champlain’s first settlement. It is also the home of North America’s oldest Catholic church, Notre-Dame-des-Victoires.
Your next stop is the National Battlefields Park, also known as the Plains of Abraham. A magnificent 250-plus-acre park with hills, gardens, monuments, and artillery artifacts, this is the site where the French surrendered to the British in 1759.
Your itinerary will then take you along the Grande Allée - the Champs-Élysées of Quebec-, edged with pretty shops, cafe terraces and stores, stretching to the Parliament Building (Hôtel du Parlement), an impressive Second Empire-style building overlooking the city.
Finally, a few minutes from the fortified town of Old Quebec, the beautiful pastoral landscapes of the Quebec countryside await. One of the most striking sites among them will reveal itself in a roar of water and stone: Montmorency Falls Witness the power of nature here, where the falls gush out of the cliffs to meet the St. Lawrence River, and provide views that will take your breath away.
· We recommend you wear warm and comfortable winter shoes and clothing. This excursion is accessible for folding wheelchairs and for persons able to board the bus on their own.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Dive into Quebec’s history by strolling the cobbled streets of the Old Town. Founded by the French explorer Champlain at the beginning of the 17th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the only fortified city in North America to still have its ramparts.
First of all, you will go to the Place Royale. The stone buildings surrounding this historic square were once the homes of wealthy merchants. Built and rebuilt several times, the square remains the heart of the Lower Town as well as the home of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, North America’s oldest stone church.
At the corner of the square, discover the charming pedestrian district of Petit-Champlain. Scattered along its narrow cobblestone streets are an array of quaint boutiques, speciality shops and outdoor cafés with strolling musicians and street performers.
You will then board the funicular that connects the Lower Town to the Upper Town. Perched on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Château Frontenac is Quebec’s best-known monument. It was here that Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and William Mackenzie King met to discuss the Allied strategy during the Second World War. Now a luxury hotel, this château inspired by the French Renaissance and the châteaux of the Loire Valley is designated a National Historic Site of Canada. You will be able to make the most of the site and enjoy a cup of tea with delectable pastries.
Adjoining the château, the Dufferin Terrace forms a belvedere overlooking the waterway. Enjoy the spectacular views over the St. Lawrence River, the town of Lévis on the opposite bank, the Ile d'Orléans and the Laurentian Mountains. You will then explore the fortress district passing Place d’Armes, the Quebec Seminary, the Ursuline Convent, Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, and the Artists Alley.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Set off to discover the frozen landscapes of the St. Lawrence River during an exclusive canoeing adventure on the ice-covered river. In the middle of an immaculate decor, amidst sleeping nature, PONANT invites you to take part in a unique activity mixing sporting challenge, local traditions and breathtaking views.
· This excursion involves 10 minutes of walking. We recommend you wear warm and comfortable winter shoes and clothing. The ice canoeing requires moderate-to-intense physical effort.
Total : €500
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Dive into Quebec’s history by strolling the cobbled streets of the Old Town founded by the French explorer at the beginning od the 17th century, before taking part in a skating session in the very heart of this district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
First of all, you will go to the Place Royale. The stone buildings surrounding this historic square were once the homes of wealthy merchants. Built and rebuilt several times, the square remains the heart of the Lower Town as well as the home of North America’s oldest stone church, Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. At the corner of the square, discover the charming pedestrian district of Petit-Champlain. Scattered along its narrow cobblestone streets are an array of quaint boutiques, speciality shops and outdoor cafés with strolling musicians and street performers.
Following this visit of the Old Town, enjoy an ice-skating session, on Place d’Youville, opposite the historic centre’s beautiful buildings. Make the most of the lively atmosphere before going to Paillard, a favourite spot for a pastry and a coffee.
Then board the funicular that connects the Lower Town to the Upper Town. Perched on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Château Frontenac is Quebec’s best-known landmark. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and William Mackenzie King met here to discuss the Allied strategy during the Second World War. Now a luxury hotel, this château inspired by the French Renaissance and the châteaux of the Loire Valley is designated a National Historic Site of Canada. You will be able to make the most of the site and enjoy a cup of tea with delectable pastries. Adjoining the château, the Dufferin Terrace forms an ideal belvedere for admiring the spectacular views over the St. Lawrence River, the town of Lévis on the opposite bank, the Ile d'Orléans and the Laurentian Mountains. You will then explore the fortress district passing Place d’Armes, the Quebec Seminary, the Ursuline Convent, Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, and the Artists Alley.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In the majestic Saguenay Valley, the borough of La Baie is cloaked in an aura of mystery during the long winter months. Take your place on a dogsled for an unforgettable panoramic ride through these lands, where nature displays its full splendour.
On the musher’s signal, the huskies all move as one, their paws energetically striking the snow. The sled slides across the powder snow, leaving a soft wake behind it. As you adventure deeper into the snow-capped landscapes of La Baie, an enchanting tranquillity will set in. The frozen trees seem to hail your passage, their branches laden with snow. The scenery transforms into a living canvas of sparkling white, punctuated with the deep green of the fir trees. Majestic mountains stand on the horizon, their impressive silhouette cut out against a pure blue sky.
As you move forwards, wrapped up in layers of warm clothing, the musher will tell you stories about the region, adding a cultural dimension to your adventure. Then, as this discovery draws to a close, as the dogs gently slow their pace, you will become aware that this ride constitutes, in fact, a total immersion in the raw beauty and tranquillity of the Quebec winter.
After a snack and a maple taffy demonstration, climb aboard a snowmobile and head back to the kennel for the end of this unforgettable experience.
· For this excursion, we recommend you wear waterproof and comfortable boots and warm winter clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Fall under the charm of breathtaking landscapes during a snowshoe walk along the paths of Bec-Scie, natural jewel of Saguenay.
Accompanied by your local guide, enjoy a snowshoe walk in the forest to breathe in fresh air and take in the scents of nature. You will pass by the Rivière-à-Mars, brimming with salmon as well as with spectacular scenery, then you will cross an impressive natural corridor between two rock faces.
Your guide, a First Nations specialist, will talk to you about the indigenous community’s way of life and their culture and connections to nature.
· We recommend you wear warm and comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Discover one of the world’s biggest ice fishing villages and share a unique experience with enthusiasts of this well-established local tradition in the Saguenay Fjord.
In the company of your guide, walk to the ice fishing village on La Baie and discover the row of colourful cabins installed on the icy waters of the Saguenay. You will learn the ropes of ice fishing in one of these cabins, which are heated by wood. Next to the hole pierced in the ice, you will perhaps have the chance to catch one of the 60 species of fish found in this saltwater, such as smelt, rockfish, turbot, Greenland halibut or Arctic cod.
· We recommend you wear warm and comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Surrounded by sea and forest, the city of Sept-Îles has breathtaking views and a history forged over the centuries.
Dive into the history of this region north of the St. Lawrence River at the North Shore Regional Museum. The museum’s permanent exhibition “Land of Discovery: The Great Journey” invites visitors to explore 8,000 years of history. Whether you are interested in nature, industry or culture, the exhibition will help you discover the authentic character of the region and give you a glimpse into the courage, tenacity and pride of its inhabitants; in the Sept-Îles region, the presence of American Indian tribes goes back more than 7,000 years, whereas Europeans have known the site for almost 500 years. The museum also has two temporary exhibitions.
· This excursion could be modified depending on weather conditions.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Forillon National Park is one of the Gaspé Peninsula’s best-kept secrets and stretches between Gaspé Bay and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In winter, abundant snow, upon which few people walk, shapes new itineraries in the heart of a wild setting, a perfect painting to explore on snowshoes.
Forillon, which was declared a Canadian National Park to preserve the site’s beauty, has incredible views. Rocky capes, vertiginous cliffs, secret coves and pebble beaches all make up a wild coast, sculpted by the sea over 450 million years, while the inner valley shelters boreal forests and deciduous woodlands, privileged witnesses of the close connection that men have forged with their environment.
Near Anse-au-Griffon, in the company of a guide, you will set off to explore these rugged reliefs on snowshoes, along a wild trail called La Vallée.
· This snowshoe excursion is along a 4-kilometre (2.5-mile) path on sometimes uneven ground. We recommend you wear warm shoes, several layers of warm and comfortable clothing, gloves, a scarf and a woolly hat.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In 1534, Jacques Cartier berthed on the shores of the present-day Gaspé Peninsula, marking the beginning of western history in North America and the birth of Canada. In Gaspé, whose name means “land's end” in the Mi'kmaq language, this history is inseparable from that of the indigenous community that you will discover on the Gespeg site.
Located east of Quebec, the Gaspé Peninsula has breathtaking landscapes. The Appalachian Mountains plunge into the Gulf of St. Lawrence here, creating kilometres of coastline that are perfect for fishing and, these days, swimming.
Near Gaspé, the largest city in the province, dive into the history of the region’s first inhabitants and discover Mi'kmaq culture, their relationship with the surrounding nature and the links they forged over the centuries with European fishermen. At the Mi’kmaq Interpretation Site of Gespeg, the traditions of this indigenous community are unveiled through various objects and tools of interpretation, which recount the history and day-to-day lives of the ancestors.
· This excursion involves walking 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) on flat ground. We recommend you wear warm and comfortable winter shoes and clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Renowned for its stunning scenery and rich cultural history, the Magdalen Islands archipelago can also claim a fine culinary heritage, constantly renewed by passionate artisans, like the dairy, smokehouse and the brewery that await you here.
First stop: the Pied-de-Vent dairy, a delicious example of Madelinot perseverance and craftmanship. In just a few years, the artisans working here have successfully developed cheeses that are popular all over the country, such as the tasty Pied-de-Vent cheese and Tomme des Demoiselles. Their secret is their great love for their terroir combined with a savvy blend of tradition and modernity, as you will discover during your visit of the farm, followed by a tasting.
Then, after coming along the lovely Chemin de la Pointe Basse, scattered here and there with typical painted houses and farms – with small closed porches, consoles and corbels, verandas but also painted or stained cedar shingles which are reminiscent of the Acadian and French origins of their first inhabitants -, you will discover the Fumoir d’Antan. Now an eco-museum dedicated to herring smoking, this typical smokehouse brings to life this last vestiges of what was a very important industry in the past. It has been used for three generations to smoke herring, mackerel, salmon and scallops; you will find out all about its history before tasting some specialities.
Then go along the northern coast of the island and the aptly named Cap-Hérissé, which is home to spectacular sheer and rugged cliffs that have been sculpted by the sea, before your final port of call: the À l’abri de la Tempête brewery. Here, local ingredients reign supreme. The brewers started using locally malted barley, then moved on to harvesting and using fresh flowers, marine algae and herbs from the area, to brew unique full-flavoured beers that you will have the pleasure of tasting.
· There are no difficulties involved with this excursion. Participants must have a minimum age of 18 to take part in this visit.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Hike along the Fatima Cliffs
Take a tour of Grindstone Island (Île du Cap-aux-Meules) and walk along the spectacular Fatima Cliffs, which are under attack from the sea.
From Cap-aux-Meules village, you will head for the north of the island. You will reach the village of Fatima, located along the coast and encircled by sheer red sandstone cliffs. You will stop at the Belle Anse Belevedere, which is one of the finest examples of rock walls sculpted by the sea. You will hike along the cliffs to the Anse aux Baleiniers and access the Dune du Nord with its 18-kilometre (11-mile) beach.
Next, the bus will take you the stunning Pointe du Cap Hérissé, then you will be able to admire the fishing port of Étang-du-Nord. Taking the road for Gros-Cap, you will pass by the Saint-Pierre de La Vernière Church. It is one of the largest wooden churches in North America and dates back to 1876.
· This excursion involves walking 5 kilometres (3.1 miles). We recommend you wear walking shoes and warm and comfortable winter clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
You will be captivated by the enchanting landscapes of the Magdalen Islands during this unforgettable electric fat bike escapade.
Under a spellbinding boreal sky, Grindstone Island (Île du Cap-aux-Meules) and, more generally, the Magdalen Islands will reveal themselves like a living painting, a kaleidoscope of colours and contrasts wearing a winter coat. You will explore these coastal paths on an electric bike, discovering the region’s enchanting landscapes. Here, the ochre cliffs contrast with the fresh snow, while the colourful houses emerge like jewels from the immaculate landscape. Each bend unveils a new perspective and, in this winter tranquillity, you will discover the timeless magic of the Magdalen Islands, an adventure that will nourish the soul and awaken the spirit.
· This excursion involves walking on icy and snow-covered uneven ground. We recommend that you wear warm winter clothing and warm and comfortable shoes. A specific itinerary may be followed, depending on weather conditions. The duration of the excursion may vary slightly depending on the pace of the participants.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organizes your day of transit in Montreal. This programme will be a pleasant conclusion to your cruise.
Day 1 - Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon/Montreal
You will be greeted at the port by our local representative and will take the PONANT selected flight to Montreal. Then you will be transferred to the hotel Four Seasons Montreal 5*.
Rest of the day and dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Montreal
Breakfast and check-out.
You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in of the PONANT selected flight.
Your hotel:
The Four Seasons Hotel Montreal 5* is ideally located in the city centre. This hotel with a chic and modern décor is an institution in Montreal’s lively Golden Square Mile neighbourhood. It boasts a restaurant serving refined and local dishes, a wine and cocktail bar, and a Guerlain spa. All the Carré Doré rooms feature a floor-to-ceiling window offering views of the city and are located on the upper floors of the hotel.
Your program includes:
Your program does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotel:
Four Seasons Hotel Montreal
1440 Rue de la Montagne
Montreal, QC, H3G 1Z5
Telephone: +1-514-843-2500
Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$1,280
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.