Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
20% Ponant Bonus
204 ft²
2
Voyage Along the St. Lawrence: From Québec to the Canadian Maritimes – with Smithsonian Journeys
Toronto - Boston
Dates:
10/18/2024
to
10/29/2024
days
nights on board
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
The waterways of eastern Canada and northern New England are among the loveliest in the world. The rock-bound coast, soaring cliffs, and idyllic waterfront villages have drawn visitors for more than one hundred years.
After embarking in Toronto, Ontario, your first full day aboard ship is spent navigating the St. Lawrence Seaway, a network of lakes, canals, and locks that provides deep-water passage from Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River.
Montréal, the first of four calls in Québec, is a cosmopolitan metropolis, where you may tour the charming Old Town or explore the arts scene along St. Laurent Boulevard. Québec City, with its narrow cobblestoned lanes and historic battlements, is one of North America’s most romantic spots.
Tadoussac, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in Canada, sits at the mouth of the Saguenay River, an area famous for the whales that congregate there to feed. And the picturesque village of Percé, at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, serves as gateway to the UNESCO Global Geopark of Bonaventure Island.
Cap-aux-Meules, in the Magdalen Islands, is a fascinating Acadian stronghold, where the legacy of the 17th-century colonists who settled here and defended their autonomy against both British and French lives on.
Nova Scotia is next, offering the historical town of Lunenburg for discovery. Charming Lunenburg, whose Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is also home to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.
A day at sea brings you to Eastport, Maine, where you will enjoy an opportunity to visit the Tides Institute & Museum of Art or Shackford Head State Park on Moose Island, or to join your local boat captain on a whale watching excursion, collecting lobster traps on the way back to port. Disembark the following day in Boston, Massachusetts.
Ref : TB0445US - EC181024
Your itinerary
A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call. Engaging discussions...
View detailed itinerary
Your trip in detail
Choose your stateroom
Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Included in your cruise
For more peace of mind, PONANT organizes your trip before or after the cruise. This package is included in the price of your cruise.
Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
You may also like...
You may also like...
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
LE LYRIAL
3/3/2025 to the 3/21/2025
L'AUSTRAL
2/28/2025 to the 3/15/2025
LE CHAMPLAIN
*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.
Discover all destinations
Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
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:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys is the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries. Drawing on Smithsonian's resources dating back 175 years, these sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Journeys has been rooted in and focused on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
- Engaging discussions onboard with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, naturalist David Catlin and historian Ralph Nurnberger.
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites in Québec and Lunenburg.
- Cruise the St. Lawrence Seaway, a marvel of engineering as well as one of North America's most scenic waterways.
- Discover the vibrant art scene of cosmopolitan Montréal.
- Explore a series of wildlife-rich ecosystems and geologically fascinating parks—Saguenay, Gaspé Peninsula, the Magdalen Islands, and Shackford Head State Park.
- Learn of the centuries-long struggle between France and England for control of this part of the world at battlefields in Montréal and Québec.
Ports of Call & Excursions
October 18, 2024 - Toronto
Embarkation 10/18/2024 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Departure 10/18/2024 at 6:00 PM
The largest city in Canada and capital of the province of Ontario, Toronto fascinates as much by its incredible diversity as by its size. Make sure you visit the CN Tower, the tallest tower in the western hemisphere, as well as the St. Lawrence Market whose stalls reflect the multicultural wealth of this city known as the global city. Not far from there, the historic Distillery District unveils its brick-paved streets imbued with romantic charm and its myriad of small restaurants, cafés, boutiques, theatres and art galleries. The Royal Ontario Museum and its impressive collections devoted to the world’s natural and cultural history will also be an unmissable stop during this port of call.
October 19, 2024 - Sailing Lake Ontario
Arrival 10/19/2024
Departure 10/19/2024
Lake Ontario is the smallest and most easterly of the five Great Lakes of North America, that together form one fifth of all the freshwater on the planet. You will enjoy a magnificent setting, enhanced by the Indian summer, for an exceptional voyage on the sparkling waters of this natural treasure, lying 76 metres above sea level. Fed by the waters of Lake Eyrie and the extraordinary Niagara Falls, it flows into the Saint Lawrence River which follows its course. On the border between the United States and Canada, the lake has great cities like Toronto on its shores but also boasts more secret and unspoiled areas, teeming with beaches, forests and small ports in a bucolic atmosphere.
October 19, 2024 - Sailing River Saint Lawrence and going through its locks
Arrival 10/19/2024
Departure 10/19/2024
Linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes region inland, the Saint Lawrence Seaway was inaugurated in 1959, more than 250 years after the initial construction aiming to avoid the rapids obstructing navigation in these parts. This large engineering project, which required four years of huge work, offers a unique sailing experience, punctuated by the passage of the different locks marking out this corridor, which is almost 4,000 km long.
October 20, 2024 - Montreal
Arrival 10/20/2024 early morning
Departure 10/20/2024 late afternoon
Famous for its gentle way of life, Montreal, Canada’s second-largest city, is a warm and cosmopolitan metropolis. Situated on the eponymous river island, it is home to a multitude of districts, each as unique as the other. Set off to discover Old Montreal, most of which is declared a historic area, Little Italy, where you’ll be able to stroll around the largest open-air market in North America, or the Golden Square Mile, the luxurious district located on one of the hills of Mount Royal and which has sumptuous Victorian-style residences. Simultaneously marked by the influences of the Old Continent and North-American gigantism, Montreal will never cease to amaze you.
October 21, 2024 - Québec
Arrival 10/21/2024 early morning
Departure 10/21/2024 late afternoon
The capital of "La Belle Province" sits at the confluence of the St Charles River and the Gulf of St Lawrence in south-east Canada. Founded in the 17th century, the city still has an encircling wall, a historic civil engineering work and the only one of its kind remaining in North America. You will love the postcard-perfect stone houses of Old Quebec, the historic district listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shopping is a pleasure in pedestrian streets such as Petit-Champlain Street, or you can relax over a spruce beer, seasoned with pine buds. Dufferin Boardwalk, an esplanade near the emblematic Château Frontenac, is the perfect place for views of the river and old city.
October 22, 2024 - Tadoussac
Arrival 10/22/2024 early morning
Departure 10/22/2024 midday
The Quebec village of Tadoussac stands at the confluence of the Saguenay River and the Gulf of Saint-Lawrence, in south-east Canada. The village is bright with multicoloured houses nestling in an emerald-green pine forest. From the waterfront, it’s easy to spy out Tadoussac Chapel, thanks to its bright red roof. Not far from this church built of wood, one of the oldest in North America, stands a century-old village holiday resort, Hotel Tadoussac. Treat yourself to tea on the terrace overlooking the shoreline. In addition, at the marine mammal interpretation centre, you can hone your knowledge of the cetaceans that regularly frequent Tadoussac bay.
October 23, 2024 - Percé
Arrival 10/23/2024 midday
Departure 10/23/2024 late afternoon
If you appreciate the beauty of scenery and geological phenomena, you will fall under the irresistible spell of Percé, one of the most beautiful villages in Quebec. Apart from the attractions of the town itself, Percé owes its reputation to its proximity to the famous rock of the same name that rises opposite it in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Along with the neighbouring Bonaventure Island, this rocky outcrop forms a national park famed for its natural, historical and geological heritage. With a choice of hiking, underwater exploration and cultural activities, you’ll never be short of things to do in this fascinating region.
October 24, 2024 - Cap-aux-Meules, Magdalen Islands
Arrival 10/24/2024 mid morning
Departure 10/24/2024 evening
Although it is the administrative and economic centre of the Magdalen Islands archipelago, in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the village of Cap-aux-Meules remains a peaceful location and is ideal for exploring preserved nature. Located on the eponymous island, in reference to the sandstone rocks of the cape that were used in the past to make grindstones, the location is above all considered to be the maritime gateway to the archipelago. In this respect, it offers privileged access to many sites renowned for their natural and historic heritage, such as the village of Havre-Aubert which is a member of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec.
October 25, 2024 - At sea
Arrival 10/25/2024
Departure 10/25/2024
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
October 26, 2024 - Lunenburg
Arrival 10/26/2024 early morning
Departure 10/26/2024 late afternoon
Stretching out along the eastern seaboard of Nova Scotia, the picturesque port of Lunenburg will leave an indelible impression. You can admire the colonial architecture of this fishing village whilst strolling through the chequerboard streets studded with brightly coloured houses. The enchanting charm of the old town has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. The former naval shipyard town of Lunenburg is where you will also find the replica of the legendary Bluenose schooner, originally built in this port.
October 27, 2024 - At sea
Arrival 10/27/2024
Departure 10/27/2024
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
October 27, 2024 October 28, 2024 - Eastport
Arrival 10/27/2024 midday
Departure 10/28/2024 midday
At the Canadian border, Eastport is, as its name suggests, the easternmost city in the United States. It is here that, in 1604, the first French people to arrive in the New World settled. Discover their story at the Saint Croix Island International Historic Site. In the late 19th century, this charming town in Maine grew significantly as a result of the development of the canned sardine industry. At the time, the town boasted more than a dozen sardine canneries. The architecture and some mansions from this period live on, affording the town a distinct elegance. One of the attractions of this town is undeniably its proximity to the Old Sow Whirlpool, the largest tidal whirlpool in the Northern Hemisphere, where visitors can watch the birds and marine mammals that come to feed on the nutrients driven up to the surface.
October 29, 2024 - Boston
Arrival 10/29/2024 early morning
Disembarkation 10/29/2024 at 8:00 AM
Nicknamed “ America's Walking City”, the city is considered to be the epicentre of American history. Founded in 1630, the tenth largest agglomeration in the United States, is a pleasure for walkers. To get around, just follow the Freedom Trail circuit that serves most of the tourist sites with its red line traced on the ground. Don’t miss all the delicious local specialities on offer at Quincy Market, like the lobster sandwich, and then take time to explore North End, the Italian quarter. For the more romantic among you, Beacon Hill, the historic quarter, with its absolutely charming cobbled streets, is really worth a look.
Old Montreal on Foot
The historic character and charm of Old Montréal comes alive as you walk through its narrow cobblestone streets and alleyways and along its charming waterfront district to discover the splendid architecture of one of the oldest cities in North America.
Your guided tour begins at Place Royale, from where you make your way to Place d'Armes and the Notre-Dame Basilica. Built over several decades in the 19th century, this iconic structure is emblematic of the city of Montreal, and its interior is regarded as a masterpiece of the Gothic Revival. During your tour, take time to observe the intricate wooden carvings throughout, set against rich hues of blue, red, and purple, and to marvel at the stained-glass windows that depict scenes from the history of Montreal.
From the Basilica, make your way to the financial district known as Montréal's Wall Street, where, among the many Victorian buildings are the Bank of Montréal, and the Royal Bank. Pass City Hall and the Courthouse to reach Jacques-Cartier Square, an area of cafés and old-world charm. Your guide will lead you through the walkways of the underground city toward the International District, including Place Riopelle and its unique fountain, the Palais des Congrès, and the World Trade Center, a remarkable example of integration of new and old buildings.
Your tour comes to an end at the Pointe-à-Callière Museum. A designated national archaeological and historic site, Pointe-à-Callière is home to the very birthplace of Montréal and focuses on several centuries of history, from the time of the First Peoples to the present day. In addition to its impressive underground archaeological remains, the museum also offers the opportunity to explore the city through permanent exhibitions and a multimedia show projected over the remains.
-
This is a moderate excursion involving extensive walking over sometimes cobblestoned and uneven surfaces. It is not appropriate for guests with limited mobility. Comfortable and sturdy shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
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.
Montreal Highlights
Discover Montréal's bicultural heritage and cosmopolitan blend of the old and the new on this overview of the city—its rich architectural and historical legacy, elegant upper-class communities, and world-renowned universities.
Begin your tour with a guided drive through Montreal's financial district, including the Bank of Montreal and Royal Bank, and into the Golden Square Mile, home to stately Victorian mansions, the McCord Museum, focusing on Canadian history, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and the beautiful campus of McGill University.
Continue to Montreal's iconic Mont-Royal Park, where you disembark the couch for a short hike (about 15 minutes) to the top of the mountain for panoramic views from the plaza in front of Chalet du Mont-Royal, the most famous vantage point for the city's skyline and surroundings. After ample time for taking in the sights, reboard your coach for the drive back down the mountain to Saint Laurent Boulevard, Montreal's famous street of murals. Montréal has become a hotspot for street art in North America and rivals even international capitals famous for their magnificent graffiti and outdoor murals. In the company of an experienced guide, discover the origins and the current importance of mural art in Montréal, along a path of unique and eclectic works of art.
-
This is a relatively easy excursion, mostly aboard a modern coach. There is, however, some walking on an incline over a paved surface at Mont-Royal Park to reach the vantage point, as well as a bit of walking in the mural zone.
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.
The Tastes of Montreal
This excursion is an introduction to Montreal's vibrant and varied culinary scene, a reflection of the city's richly multicultural past.
Beginning in the heart of Old Montreal, your walking tour will include some of the city's iconic sites—Place Royale, the Basilica of Notre Dame, Place d'Armes—as you work your way through various neighborhoods of different ethnicities passionate about their cultures and their food. Your guide, an enthusiastic foodie, will lead you first to Montreal's Chinatown, then through the Jewish and Portuguese quarters, and finally to Little Italy, pausing along the way to sample some of the city's best local products. Spend some time in Jean Talon Market, one of the largest outdoor markets in North America, where you will find a tantalizing variety of vendors offering a wide range of foods from various culinary traditions, including Montreal's own maple treats, Quebec cheeses, and apple cider.
-
This is a moderate excursion involving extensive walking over sometimes cobblestoned and uneven surfaces. It is not appropriate for guests with limited mobility. Comfortable and sturdy shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
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.
Montmorency and Ile d'Orleans
This excursion focuses on the natural beauty just outside the walled Old City of Quebec, as you discover Montmorency Falls and the pastoral landscapes of the Island of Orléans. Along the St.-Lawrence River and in the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains, the views of the countryside and of the skyline of Québec are spectacular.
From the pier, a 20-minute drive along the bank of the St.-Lawrence brings you to Montmorency Falls, where water cascades down a 272-foot cliff, 1-½ times as high as Niagara Falls. As you walk along the paths near the falls, or take a cable car to the top of the falls, enjoy breathtaking views and witness the power of nature as the Montmorency River roars down the cliff to meet the St.-Lawrence.
Take a step back in time as you cross the bridge to the Ile d'Orleans, where you will enjoy a scenic drive through picturesque villages of traditional rural Québec. First settled by the French over 350 years ago, the Island is a veritable open-air museum, boasting more than 600 heritage buildings. As the first colonists cultivated the land, they became self-sufficient as fishermen, blacksmiths, carpenters, saddlers, tanners, shipbuilders, and captains. But agriculture has always been important here, and you will have the opportunity to taste several examples of the local produce—delicacies made from fresh fruit, local wines, and fruit ciders—and to talk with the farmers and vintners about their craft.
-
This is an easy excursion, mostly aboard a modern motor coach. The amount of walking is entirely at your discretion
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.
Historic Quebec
On this two-part excursion, you will discover much of the historic character and charm of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, as you orient yourself to the most important landmarks during a tour via motor coach, followed by a guided walking tour of the center city.
Drive first to Quebec's most celebrated landmark, the Chateau Frontenac, perched on a cliff some 200 feet above the St. Lawrence River, with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. From the Chateau, travel along the Grande-Allée, the Champs-Élysées of Québec, lined with quaint shops, sidewalk cafés, and boutiques, to the Hôtel du Parlement, built during France's Second Empire. Continue to the Plains of Abraham, site of the historic battle that resulted in French surrender to the British in 1759, and now a beautiful 250-acre park with hills, gardens, monuments, and 18th-century artillery. A brief stop at Le Cap-Diamant, named after the shiny rocks that explorer Jacques Cartier mistook for diamonds, affords yet another view of the surrounding countryside.
Leaving your coach behind, join a guided tour of Old Town. Explore Place-Royale, an historic square once the site of homes of wealthy merchants. The square remains the heart of the Lower Town as well as the home of North America's oldest standing catholic church, the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. Around the corner is the charming pedestrian-only area of Petit-Champlain, where you will find an array of quaint boutiques, specialty shops and outdoor cafés, as well as strolling musicians and other street performers. Visit Holy Trinity Church, the first Anglican Cathedral built outside the British Isles, and modeled on London's St-Martin-in-the-Fields. Your tour ends at the Morrin Center, built over 200 years ago as the city's first prison, and now home to one of Quebec's most beautiful libraries.
-
This is a moderate excursion, half of which is aboard a modern coach. Walking in Old Quebec, however, involves navigating cobblestones and some inclines.
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.
Whale Watching
Originally the site of an Inuit base for hunting seals, Tadoussac was established as a trading post by fur merchants in 1599, making it the first French outpost in mainland North America. Today it is a charming tourist destination, a member of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, and a leading departure point for whale watching.
This excursion takes full advantage of Tadoussac's access to the abundance of marine mammals—porpoise, dolphin, seal and 13 species of whales—attracted to the rich feeding grounds where the Saguenay River flows into the St. Lawrence. Begin with a two-and-a-half-hour expedition aboard local vessels under the direction of an experienced and expert Captain and Naturalist, searching for whales. October is one of the most active months for the large animals, as they prepare to migrate to their breeding grounds.
On your return to Tadoussac, visit the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre, a museum dedicated to educating the public about whales and other marine mammals. Exhibits range from the skeleton of 40-foot-long sperm whale and a narwhal tooth, to films, sound recordings, and interactive displays.
-
The amount of walking on this tour is at your discretion. Guest should dress appropriately (waterproof jacket and rubber-soled shoes) for the whale watch.
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.
Walking Tour of Tadoussac
Originally the site of an Inuit base for hunting seals, Tadoussac was established as a trading post by fur merchants in 1599, making it the first French outpost in mainland North America. Today it is a charming tourist destination, a member of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, and a leading departure point for whale watching where the Saguenay River flows into the St. Lawrence.
Your guided walking tour begins with a visit to Greve Gardens, named for one of the co-founders of the 1599 trading post, where you can find vegetation typical to the North Coast of the St.-Lawrence River. Continue to the Chauvin Trading Post (Chauvin was the other co-founder), a recreation of the original, with exhibits on early contacts with First Nations, the building of the post, and the history of its trade in furs and hides.
Stop for a spot of tea at the Tadoussac Grand Hotel, a Belle Époque gem with magnificent views overlooking the Bay and the St.-Lawrence River, before bringing your tour to an end at le Petite Chapelle, the oldest wooden church in North America. Built in 1747 by Jesuit missionaries as part of their effort to convert the Montagnais to Christianity, the chapel still contains some of the original religious items used over two and a half centuries ago.
-
This tour is entirely on foot and involves approximately 1.25 miles of walking. We recommend you wear comfortable 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.
Hiking the Magic Forest
A visit to Percé's UNESCO Global Geopark, because of its unique tectonic and volcanic history, allows you to walk through 500 million years of geological time. Meet your guide, walk to the trailhead of Sentier des Arpenteurs, and set off on a hike through the Magic Forest. As you hike, your guide will explain what the geological formations around you tell us about five different eras in the history of the formation of the Gaspe Peninsula, including the origins of Bonaventure Island and Perce Rock. Enjoy sweeping views of the woods below and Bonaventure and Perce Rock in the distance. Return to the ship on foot.
-
Please note that this time of year, the Geopark exhibition and glass platform are closed, but it is still possible to hike the trails and access viewpoints. This is a moderate to difficult excursion. Total walking is approximately 3.8 miles, but the terrain is hilly and through a forest with tree roots in the way. It is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, and participants should be in good physical condition. Sturdy shoes are a must.
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.
Percé Heritage Walk
The village of Percé at the eastern end of the Gaspé Peninsula is often thought of as a gateway to the dramatic natural beauty that surrounds it. But Percé itself has an interesting history, which you can discover on this guided walking tour.
Although modern day Percé is mainly a tourist destination, in the 17th century it was Gaspé’s most important fishing port. Meet your guide at the end of the quay and begin your tour at the site of the old fishing infrastructure, where some of the buildings erected in the late 18th century by Charles Robin can still be seen. Then continue through the village to the church of Saint-Michel de Percé, built at the beginning of the 20th century with sandstone from nearby quarries.
From the church, continue to Cap Mont Joli, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the entire village and of famous Percé Rock, just offshore. This is the site where Récollet missionaries installed a wooden cross in 1672 to mark the arrival of the first European settlers.
Returning to the wharf, pause at La Maison du Pêcheur, where Bernard Lortie first met with Paul and Jacques Rose and became a member of the radical Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), who were responsible for the 1970 kidnapping and murder of the Labour Minister, an event known as the October Crisis and which led to drastic decline in support for the FLQ.
-
This is a moderate excursion, involving approximately 1.5 miles of walking over mostly paved surfaces. There is a steep uphill walk to reach the overlook at Mont Joli. It is not recommended for guests with limited mobility. Comfortable shores and layered clothing are highly recommended
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.
The Tastes of Coin-du-Banc
Coin-du-Banc (Corner of the Beach) is a long and sandy beach area located just 15 minutes from the village of Percé. It is one of the region's most beautiful beaches and one of the best for agate collecting.
At Camp de Base Coin-du-Banc, which has become a popular base camp for the hikers, cyclists, rock climbers, and skiers who visit Perce throughout the year, meet the owner and hear the history of the Inn before sitting down to a plate of chef Mamie John’s delectable pancakes with maple syrup. Enjoy time at leisure for a stroll on Coin-du-Banc beach where the wide-open spaces and salty air are invigorating.
Then return to Buvette Thérese, a local restaurant in the heart of Percé, for a sampling of smoked fish from Fumoir Le Paternel, a family-owned business with an expertise in smoked seafood and a tasting of local beer. Enjoy an afternoon of savoring local delicacies from this delicious region before returning to the ship.
-
This is an easy excursion. Most of the walking is at your discretion and over flat surfaces of gravel and some sand. A few stairs.
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.
Acadian Culture and Heritage
This excursion to Havre Aubert, where the first Acadians to arrive in the Îles de la Madeleine settled, focuses on their continuing legacy in the architecture, art, agriculture, and marine life of the island.
After a short drive along the beaches that separate Cap-aux-Meules from Havre Aubert, you arrive at Le Verger Pomeloi, the only orchard on the islands, and one of the few distilleries in Canada to produce cider from beginning to end, cultivation to bottling. Capitalizing on the special qualities of fruit grown in salty sea air, and insisting on a process of cold-fermentation, the orchard creates four distinct elixirs, evocatively named l'Enchanteur de pommes, le Chouchen, l'Escarbille and le Pomeloi (with an apple in the bottle).
At the Musée de la Mer, an exhibit on Laboureurs du Golfe illustrates the maritime history of the Islands through the use of models, photographs and artefacts that chronicle the evolution of all sorts of seaborne activity—navigation, fishing, seal hunting—that have been central to the economic welfare of the region. Very near the museum you will find Atelier Cotier, a one-of-a-kind art studio, committed to sustainability, where a multidisciplinary team creates a variety of products from clothing and home decor to jewelry, all inspired by the sea and sand that surrounds them.
Before returning to the port and your ship, drive to Cap-Hérissé on the north coast of Cap-aux-Meules, where you can enjoy views of the steep, jagged cliffs sculpted by the sea that are characteristic of the island.
-
This is an easy excursion with very little walking. There are a few uneven surfaces and some steps, but most guests will have no trouble participating. Layered clothing—particularly a windbreaker—is highly recommended
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.
Tastes of Îles de la Madeleine
The Îles de la Madeleine archipelago is a treasure trove of flavorful locally sourced foods. During this excursion, you will meet with several local producers, discover their passion for their work, and sample some of the fruits of their labor.
From the pier, it is a fifteen-minute drive to the Pied-de-Vent Cheese Factory, where you will be met by the dedicated artisans who work here. Pied-de-Vent uses raw milk to produce their popular Pied-de-Vent cheese, as well as Tomme des Demoiselles, a semi-hard cow's milk cheese. You will have the opportunity to sample both before rejoining your coach to drive through the countryside on the Chemin Pointe-Basse, a road peppered with many examples of the traditional local architecture—primarily Acadian and French, with some New England influences, reflected in the simple homes and barns painted a variety of bright colors.
Visit the Fumoir d’Antan Museum, a typical smokehouse that showcases what was once an important industry on the island. As you sample smoked herring, mackerel, scallops, and salmon, you may want to check out the small museum housed in what used to be the primary smoking room.
Continue your drive along the north coast and pause at Cap-Hérissé to enjoy views of the steep, jagged cliffs sculpted by the sea, before arriving at À l'abri de la Tempête. This microbrewery, founded by two women in 2002, is dedicated to maximum use of local raw materials—from locally malted barley to fresh flowers, marine algae, and herbs. Sample a few of these distinctive, full-flavored beers.
-
This is an easy excursion with very little walking. There are a few uneven surfaces and some steps, but most guests will have no trouble participating. Layered clothing—particularly a windbreaker—is highly recommended.
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.
The Madelinots and their Environment
This excursion to the northern tip of the island begins with a 90-minute drive through an impossibly beautiful variety of landscapes and seascapes of different shades of blue and green water, golden sand beaches, ever changing sand dunes, and the contrast of rugged red cliffs against a background of rolling green hills. As you pass through the village of Gross Ile, you will be driving atop an enormous underground salt reserve that produces 1.5 million tons of salt each year to be shipped to the United States and eastern Canada, where it is used to de-ice roads.
Your destination is Grand Entrée, the largest lobster fishing wharf in Quebec. Here you will have a chance to meet with some of the local fisherman and learn about the history of the fisheries in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and about their daily lives, tending their boats and traps and dealing with the challenges of conservation in a fragile ecosystem.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch of hearty Madelinot fare at Auberge Le Salicorne before continuing to the East Point National Wildlife Reserve. Administered by Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service, East Point is an essential stopping point for many shorebirds and ducks on their annual migrations. Explore the area on an easy 2-mile walking trail along the dunes above Old Harry Beach, once the site of walrus hunts, and now a prime spot for bird-watching.
-
This is a moderate excursion, involving a total of approximately 2 miles of walking on maintained trails. It is not recommended for guests with limited mobility.
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.
Lunenburg Walking Tour & Fisheries Museum
Lunenburg has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the best surviving example of a British colonial settlement in North America. On this excursion you will understand why.
A guided walking tour of this picture-perfect town touches on its history, culture and architecture, dating to the arrival of the first European settlers in 1753. Pass the poignant Fishermen’s Memorial Monument and learn about the devastating August Gales of 1926-27. Hear the story of the legendary sailing ship Bluenose, nicknamed the 'Queen of the North Atlantic', as well as of her replica, Bluenose II, which now serves as Canada's sailing ambassador. Observe the architectural details of well-preserved 18th-and 19th-century homes, and stop at St. John’s Anglican Church, a National Historic Site. Dating from 1753, this remarkable structure is the second-oldest Anglican Church in Canada.
Begin your visit to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic with a 30-minute guided tour that provides an overview of the industry at the heart and soul of Lunenburg. After the tour, you are free to wander and explore on your own. The Museum is quite large, with floating vessels at the wharves, an extensive aquarium and a large exhibit complex. Whether you’re interested in local crafts and culture, boats, or history, the Museum has much to offer.
-
This is an easy excursion, with less about half a mile of walking over sidewalks. Comfortable shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
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.
Historic Eastport Walking Tour
Enjoy a flat, leisurely walk-through Eastport’s historic downtown. Start at the working waterfront, harbor fishing boats that will be out lobstering in summer and scalloping in winter. Snap a pic at our newest photo-op, a restored buoy celebrating the Easternmost City in the United State. Take in views across Passamaquoddy Bay noting the extreme changes in the tide levels.
Stroll downtown Water Street. Learn about the great fire of 1886 that devastated the sardine industry at the time. Stop to admire the lovingly restored historic buildings as the town is undergoing a renaissance with thriving new shops and restaurants. Continue along Water St, past the WaCo Diner, Maine’s oldest diner (Est 1924), past the Sea Street building, a 30,000 square foot former sardine can manufacture company, to the south end of downtown to enjoy the views of the International Bridge and Campobello Island, summer home of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt
Visit the Fisherman Statue and hear stories of the history of Eastport including the British Occupation, the Great Fire, and the history of the 29 Historic surrounding buildings.
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.
Shackford Head State Park
After a brief overview of downtown Eastport, drive the short distance to Shackford Head State Park, enclosing 90 acres on Moose Island overlooking Cobscook Bay. Hike along a trail through the woods to a rocky headland 173 feet above sea level, passing several pocket beaches and protected coves. From this outlook, visitors can see Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada, the town of Lubec, Maine, and the Eastport cargo pier on Estes Head, as well as aquaculture pens where Atlantic salmon are raised. Park trails afford great opportunities for wildlife watching as well—with warblers and hermit thrushes in the woodland areas, and bald eagles, common terns and spotted sandpipers along the shore. Ornithologists have documented 28 different bird species nesting on the headland.
-
This is a moderate excursion. The hike to the outlook and back is approximately 1.5 miles over a trail rated as "moderate." It is not suitable guests with limited mobility. Good hiking shoes and binoculars are highly recommended.
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.
Lobster Boat Experience
Enjoy a Downeast Lobster & Seal Cruise on a genuine Maine lobster boat, “The Lady H,” where we will stop and demonstrate Maine’s number one commercial fishery…. Lobstering! Pull actual lobster traps in the waters of Passamaquoddy Bay with a licensed lobster fisherman. Watch the Captain haul traps and see, touch and handle lobsters, crabs, starfish, scallops, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, etc. after the traps are pulled into the boat. You may also see porpoise, whales, Bald Eagles, osprey, seals, and lots of other marine life all which make the bay their home. Experience our 26+ foot tides, travel through the “Old Sow” Whirlpool, the hemisphere’s largest whirlpool and listen to the tales of the sea from our experienced Captain. We recommend bringing along binoculars, a camera, warm clothing, and any snack you might wish to have during your adventure.
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.
Le Champlain
Like the rest of the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Champlain successfully manages to subtly combine the desire to explore the remotest regions of the planet with the comfort and privacy of a cosily intimate ship.
To the innovative and environmentally friendly equipment are added elegant design and a unique atmosphere in keeping with the whole PONANT universe. Your dream of a cruise onboard a cosily intimate ship is thus made possible through the combination of an authentically genuine voyage experience together with discreet luxury.
Decks
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
PONANT has organized the following included program for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included Features:
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, naturalist David Catlin and historian Ralph Nurnberger
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Toronto to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 11-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Champlain, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Boston at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Not included:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This voyage is offered on a space available basis
- Program is subject to change without notice
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
COSMOPOLITAN TORONTO (1 NIGHT)
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and well worth a day of exploration. Take advantage of a specially designed program to get acquainted with some of the highlights of this vibrant, multicultural city on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Day 1 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Arrive at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the Fairmont Royal York hotel. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and to offer suggestions for dining and independent exploration. In the evening, join fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception in the hotel. Dinner is on your own.
Day 2 – Toronto | Embark
After breakfast and check-out, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel to accompany your discovery of Toronto. Begin with a panoramic tour of the central city, including University Avenue, the Legislative Building, the Theater District, and City Hall, ending at the Art Gallery of Ontario, one of Toronto's finest museums. A docent-led tour will introduce you to the museum's preeminent permanent exhibition—the oft-awarded McLean Centre for Indigenous & Canadian Art. After the tour, enjoy time to look around on your own or visit the extensive gift shop.
From the museum, drive to Toronto's emblematic CN Tower, where glass-enclosed elevators take you to the top floor for lunch at the 360 Restaurant, which provides constantly changing views of the city from a vantage point more than 1,000 feet above street level, as the restaurant completes a full revolution every 72 minutes. After your meal, enjoy time at leisure to visit the Observation Deck, before returning to the ground to drive along the waterfront to the Toronto Cruise Terminal, where you board your ship.
Your hotel:
The Fairmont Royal York, Toronto’s landmark hotel, is located in the heart of Old Toronto. Recently revitalized, the Fairmont offers all of the facilities and services one would expect from a luxury hotel in a world-class city, including two restaurants and access to a health club, spa, and pool.
Your program includes:
-
1 night at the Fairmont Royal York
-
Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
-
Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day
-
Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1
-
Breakfast and Lunch on Day 2
-
Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
-
Local English-speaking guide
-
Gratuities for the drivers and local guides
Your program does not include:
-
Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
-
Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program
Please note:
-
It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
-
Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
-
The official currency is the Canadian dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
-
This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
-
Program is offered on a space available basis.
-
Program is subject to change without notice.
Hotel contact information:
The Fairmont Royal York
100 Front St W
Toronto, Canada
M5J 1E3
Telephone: +1 416 368 2511
Total : $1,170
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Old Montreal on Foot
The historic character and charm of Old Montréal comes alive as you walk through its narrow cobblestone streets and alleyways and along its charming waterfront district to discover the splendid architecture of one of the oldest cities in North America.
Your guided tour begins at Place Royale, from where you make your way to Place d'Armes and the Notre-Dame Basilica. Built over several decades in the 19th century, this iconic structure is emblematic of the city of Montreal, and its interior is regarded as a masterpiece of the Gothic Revival. During your tour, take time to observe the intricate wooden carvings throughout, set against rich hues of blue, red, and purple, and to marvel at the stained-glass windows that depict scenes from the history of Montreal.
From the Basilica, make your way to the financial district known as Montréal's Wall Street, where, among the many Victorian buildings are the Bank of Montréal, and the Royal Bank. Pass City Hall and the Courthouse to reach Jacques-Cartier Square, an area of cafés and old-world charm. Your guide will lead you through the walkways of the underground city toward the International District, including Place Riopelle and its unique fountain, the Palais des Congrès, and the World Trade Center, a remarkable example of integration of new and old buildings.
Your tour comes to an end at the Pointe-à-Callière Museum. A designated national archaeological and historic site, Pointe-à-Callière is home to the very birthplace of Montréal and focuses on several centuries of history, from the time of the First Peoples to the present day. In addition to its impressive underground archaeological remains, the museum also offers the opportunity to explore the city through permanent exhibitions and a multimedia show projected over the remains.
-
This is a moderate excursion involving extensive walking over sometimes cobblestoned and uneven surfaces. It is not appropriate for guests with limited mobility. Comfortable and sturdy shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
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.
Montreal Highlights
Discover Montréal's bicultural heritage and cosmopolitan blend of the old and the new on this overview of the city—its rich architectural and historical legacy, elegant upper-class communities, and world-renowned universities.
Begin your tour with a guided drive through Montreal's financial district, including the Bank of Montreal and Royal Bank, and into the Golden Square Mile, home to stately Victorian mansions, the McCord Museum, focusing on Canadian history, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and the beautiful campus of McGill University.
Continue to Montreal's iconic Mont-Royal Park, where you disembark the couch for a short hike (about 15 minutes) to the top of the mountain for panoramic views from the plaza in front of Chalet du Mont-Royal, the most famous vantage point for the city's skyline and surroundings. After ample time for taking in the sights, reboard your coach for the drive back down the mountain to Saint Laurent Boulevard, Montreal's famous street of murals. Montréal has become a hotspot for street art in North America and rivals even international capitals famous for their magnificent graffiti and outdoor murals. In the company of an experienced guide, discover the origins and the current importance of mural art in Montréal, along a path of unique and eclectic works of art.
-
This is a relatively easy excursion, mostly aboard a modern coach. There is, however, some walking on an incline over a paved surface at Mont-Royal Park to reach the vantage point, as well as a bit of walking in the mural zone.
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.
The Tastes of Montreal
This excursion is an introduction to Montreal's vibrant and varied culinary scene, a reflection of the city's richly multicultural past.
Beginning in the heart of Old Montreal, your walking tour will include some of the city's iconic sites—Place Royale, the Basilica of Notre Dame, Place d'Armes—as you work your way through various neighborhoods of different ethnicities passionate about their cultures and their food. Your guide, an enthusiastic foodie, will lead you first to Montreal's Chinatown, then through the Jewish and Portuguese quarters, and finally to Little Italy, pausing along the way to sample some of the city's best local products. Spend some time in Jean Talon Market, one of the largest outdoor markets in North America, where you will find a tantalizing variety of vendors offering a wide range of foods from various culinary traditions, including Montreal's own maple treats, Quebec cheeses, and apple cider.
-
This is a moderate excursion involving extensive walking over sometimes cobblestoned and uneven surfaces. It is not appropriate for guests with limited mobility. Comfortable and sturdy shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
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.
Montmorency and Ile d'Orleans
This excursion focuses on the natural beauty just outside the walled Old City of Quebec, as you discover Montmorency Falls and the pastoral landscapes of the Island of Orléans. Along the St.-Lawrence River and in the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains, the views of the countryside and of the skyline of Québec are spectacular.
From the pier, a 20-minute drive along the bank of the St.-Lawrence brings you to Montmorency Falls, where water cascades down a 272-foot cliff, 1-½ times as high as Niagara Falls. As you walk along the paths near the falls, or take a cable car to the top of the falls, enjoy breathtaking views and witness the power of nature as the Montmorency River roars down the cliff to meet the St.-Lawrence.
Take a step back in time as you cross the bridge to the Ile d'Orleans, where you will enjoy a scenic drive through picturesque villages of traditional rural Québec. First settled by the French over 350 years ago, the Island is a veritable open-air museum, boasting more than 600 heritage buildings. As the first colonists cultivated the land, they became self-sufficient as fishermen, blacksmiths, carpenters, saddlers, tanners, shipbuilders, and captains. But agriculture has always been important here, and you will have the opportunity to taste several examples of the local produce—delicacies made from fresh fruit, local wines, and fruit ciders—and to talk with the farmers and vintners about their craft.
-
This is an easy excursion, mostly aboard a modern motor coach. The amount of walking is entirely at your discretion
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.
Historic Quebec
On this two-part excursion, you will discover much of the historic character and charm of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, as you orient yourself to the most important landmarks during a tour via motor coach, followed by a guided walking tour of the center city.
Drive first to Quebec's most celebrated landmark, the Chateau Frontenac, perched on a cliff some 200 feet above the St. Lawrence River, with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. From the Chateau, travel along the Grande-Allée, the Champs-Élysées of Québec, lined with quaint shops, sidewalk cafés, and boutiques, to the Hôtel du Parlement, built during France's Second Empire. Continue to the Plains of Abraham, site of the historic battle that resulted in French surrender to the British in 1759, and now a beautiful 250-acre park with hills, gardens, monuments, and 18th-century artillery. A brief stop at Le Cap-Diamant, named after the shiny rocks that explorer Jacques Cartier mistook for diamonds, affords yet another view of the surrounding countryside.
Leaving your coach behind, join a guided tour of Old Town. Explore Place-Royale, an historic square once the site of homes of wealthy merchants. The square remains the heart of the Lower Town as well as the home of North America's oldest standing catholic church, the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. Around the corner is the charming pedestrian-only area of Petit-Champlain, where you will find an array of quaint boutiques, specialty shops and outdoor cafés, as well as strolling musicians and other street performers. Visit Holy Trinity Church, the first Anglican Cathedral built outside the British Isles, and modeled on London's St-Martin-in-the-Fields. Your tour ends at the Morrin Center, built over 200 years ago as the city's first prison, and now home to one of Quebec's most beautiful libraries.
-
This is a moderate excursion, half of which is aboard a modern coach. Walking in Old Quebec, however, involves navigating cobblestones and some inclines.
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.
Whale Watching
Originally the site of an Inuit base for hunting seals, Tadoussac was established as a trading post by fur merchants in 1599, making it the first French outpost in mainland North America. Today it is a charming tourist destination, a member of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, and a leading departure point for whale watching.
This excursion takes full advantage of Tadoussac's access to the abundance of marine mammals—porpoise, dolphin, seal and 13 species of whales—attracted to the rich feeding grounds where the Saguenay River flows into the St. Lawrence. Begin with a two-and-a-half-hour expedition aboard local vessels under the direction of an experienced and expert Captain and Naturalist, searching for whales. October is one of the most active months for the large animals, as they prepare to migrate to their breeding grounds.
On your return to Tadoussac, visit the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre, a museum dedicated to educating the public about whales and other marine mammals. Exhibits range from the skeleton of 40-foot-long sperm whale and a narwhal tooth, to films, sound recordings, and interactive displays.
-
The amount of walking on this tour is at your discretion. Guest should dress appropriately (waterproof jacket and rubber-soled shoes) for the whale watch.
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.
Walking Tour of Tadoussac
Originally the site of an Inuit base for hunting seals, Tadoussac was established as a trading post by fur merchants in 1599, making it the first French outpost in mainland North America. Today it is a charming tourist destination, a member of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, and a leading departure point for whale watching where the Saguenay River flows into the St. Lawrence.
Your guided walking tour begins with a visit to Greve Gardens, named for one of the co-founders of the 1599 trading post, where you can find vegetation typical to the North Coast of the St.-Lawrence River. Continue to the Chauvin Trading Post (Chauvin was the other co-founder), a recreation of the original, with exhibits on early contacts with First Nations, the building of the post, and the history of its trade in furs and hides.
Stop for a spot of tea at the Tadoussac Grand Hotel, a Belle Époque gem with magnificent views overlooking the Bay and the St.-Lawrence River, before bringing your tour to an end at le Petite Chapelle, the oldest wooden church in North America. Built in 1747 by Jesuit missionaries as part of their effort to convert the Montagnais to Christianity, the chapel still contains some of the original religious items used over two and a half centuries ago.
-
This tour is entirely on foot and involves approximately 1.25 miles of walking. We recommend you wear comfortable 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.
Hiking the Magic Forest
A visit to Percé's UNESCO Global Geopark, because of its unique tectonic and volcanic history, allows you to walk through 500 million years of geological time. Meet your guide, walk to the trailhead of Sentier des Arpenteurs, and set off on a hike through the Magic Forest. As you hike, your guide will explain what the geological formations around you tell us about five different eras in the history of the formation of the Gaspe Peninsula, including the origins of Bonaventure Island and Perce Rock. Enjoy sweeping views of the woods below and Bonaventure and Perce Rock in the distance. Return to the ship on foot.
-
Please note that this time of year, the Geopark exhibition and glass platform are closed, but it is still possible to hike the trails and access viewpoints. This is a moderate to difficult excursion. Total walking is approximately 3.8 miles, but the terrain is hilly and through a forest with tree roots in the way. It is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, and participants should be in good physical condition. Sturdy shoes are a must.
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.
Percé Heritage Walk
The village of Percé at the eastern end of the Gaspé Peninsula is often thought of as a gateway to the dramatic natural beauty that surrounds it. But Percé itself has an interesting history, which you can discover on this guided walking tour.
Although modern day Percé is mainly a tourist destination, in the 17th century it was Gaspé’s most important fishing port. Meet your guide at the end of the quay and begin your tour at the site of the old fishing infrastructure, where some of the buildings erected in the late 18th century by Charles Robin can still be seen. Then continue through the village to the church of Saint-Michel de Percé, built at the beginning of the 20th century with sandstone from nearby quarries.
From the church, continue to Cap Mont Joli, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the entire village and of famous Percé Rock, just offshore. This is the site where Récollet missionaries installed a wooden cross in 1672 to mark the arrival of the first European settlers.
Returning to the wharf, pause at La Maison du Pêcheur, where Bernard Lortie first met with Paul and Jacques Rose and became a member of the radical Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), who were responsible for the 1970 kidnapping and murder of the Labour Minister, an event known as the October Crisis and which led to drastic decline in support for the FLQ.
-
This is a moderate excursion, involving approximately 1.5 miles of walking over mostly paved surfaces. There is a steep uphill walk to reach the overlook at Mont Joli. It is not recommended for guests with limited mobility. Comfortable shores and layered clothing are highly recommended
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.
The Tastes of Coin-du-Banc
Coin-du-Banc (Corner of the Beach) is a long and sandy beach area located just 15 minutes from the village of Percé. It is one of the region's most beautiful beaches and one of the best for agate collecting.
At Camp de Base Coin-du-Banc, which has become a popular base camp for the hikers, cyclists, rock climbers, and skiers who visit Perce throughout the year, meet the owner and hear the history of the Inn before sitting down to a plate of chef Mamie John’s delectable pancakes with maple syrup. Enjoy time at leisure for a stroll on Coin-du-Banc beach where the wide-open spaces and salty air are invigorating.
Then return to Buvette Thérese, a local restaurant in the heart of Percé, for a sampling of smoked fish from Fumoir Le Paternel, a family-owned business with an expertise in smoked seafood and a tasting of local beer. Enjoy an afternoon of savoring local delicacies from this delicious region before returning to the ship.
-
This is an easy excursion. Most of the walking is at your discretion and over flat surfaces of gravel and some sand. A few stairs.
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.
Acadian Culture and Heritage
This excursion to Havre Aubert, where the first Acadians to arrive in the Îles de la Madeleine settled, focuses on their continuing legacy in the architecture, art, agriculture, and marine life of the island.
After a short drive along the beaches that separate Cap-aux-Meules from Havre Aubert, you arrive at Le Verger Pomeloi, the only orchard on the islands, and one of the few distilleries in Canada to produce cider from beginning to end, cultivation to bottling. Capitalizing on the special qualities of fruit grown in salty sea air, and insisting on a process of cold-fermentation, the orchard creates four distinct elixirs, evocatively named l'Enchanteur de pommes, le Chouchen, l'Escarbille and le Pomeloi (with an apple in the bottle).
At the Musée de la Mer, an exhibit on Laboureurs du Golfe illustrates the maritime history of the Islands through the use of models, photographs and artefacts that chronicle the evolution of all sorts of seaborne activity—navigation, fishing, seal hunting—that have been central to the economic welfare of the region. Very near the museum you will find Atelier Cotier, a one-of-a-kind art studio, committed to sustainability, where a multidisciplinary team creates a variety of products from clothing and home decor to jewelry, all inspired by the sea and sand that surrounds them.
Before returning to the port and your ship, drive to Cap-Hérissé on the north coast of Cap-aux-Meules, where you can enjoy views of the steep, jagged cliffs sculpted by the sea that are characteristic of the island.
-
This is an easy excursion with very little walking. There are a few uneven surfaces and some steps, but most guests will have no trouble participating. Layered clothing—particularly a windbreaker—is highly recommended
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.
Tastes of Îles de la Madeleine
The Îles de la Madeleine archipelago is a treasure trove of flavorful locally sourced foods. During this excursion, you will meet with several local producers, discover their passion for their work, and sample some of the fruits of their labor.
From the pier, it is a fifteen-minute drive to the Pied-de-Vent Cheese Factory, where you will be met by the dedicated artisans who work here. Pied-de-Vent uses raw milk to produce their popular Pied-de-Vent cheese, as well as Tomme des Demoiselles, a semi-hard cow's milk cheese. You will have the opportunity to sample both before rejoining your coach to drive through the countryside on the Chemin Pointe-Basse, a road peppered with many examples of the traditional local architecture—primarily Acadian and French, with some New England influences, reflected in the simple homes and barns painted a variety of bright colors.
Visit the Fumoir d’Antan Museum, a typical smokehouse that showcases what was once an important industry on the island. As you sample smoked herring, mackerel, scallops, and salmon, you may want to check out the small museum housed in what used to be the primary smoking room.
Continue your drive along the north coast and pause at Cap-Hérissé to enjoy views of the steep, jagged cliffs sculpted by the sea, before arriving at À l'abri de la Tempête. This microbrewery, founded by two women in 2002, is dedicated to maximum use of local raw materials—from locally malted barley to fresh flowers, marine algae, and herbs. Sample a few of these distinctive, full-flavored beers.
-
This is an easy excursion with very little walking. There are a few uneven surfaces and some steps, but most guests will have no trouble participating. Layered clothing—particularly a windbreaker—is highly recommended.
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.
The Madelinots and their Environment
This excursion to the northern tip of the island begins with a 90-minute drive through an impossibly beautiful variety of landscapes and seascapes of different shades of blue and green water, golden sand beaches, ever changing sand dunes, and the contrast of rugged red cliffs against a background of rolling green hills. As you pass through the village of Gross Ile, you will be driving atop an enormous underground salt reserve that produces 1.5 million tons of salt each year to be shipped to the United States and eastern Canada, where it is used to de-ice roads.
Your destination is Grand Entrée, the largest lobster fishing wharf in Quebec. Here you will have a chance to meet with some of the local fisherman and learn about the history of the fisheries in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and about their daily lives, tending their boats and traps and dealing with the challenges of conservation in a fragile ecosystem.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch of hearty Madelinot fare at Auberge Le Salicorne before continuing to the East Point National Wildlife Reserve. Administered by Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service, East Point is an essential stopping point for many shorebirds and ducks on their annual migrations. Explore the area on an easy 2-mile walking trail along the dunes above Old Harry Beach, once the site of walrus hunts, and now a prime spot for bird-watching.
-
This is a moderate excursion, involving a total of approximately 2 miles of walking on maintained trails. It is not recommended for guests with limited mobility.
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.
Lunenburg Walking Tour & Fisheries Museum
Lunenburg has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the best surviving example of a British colonial settlement in North America. On this excursion you will understand why.
A guided walking tour of this picture-perfect town touches on its history, culture and architecture, dating to the arrival of the first European settlers in 1753. Pass the poignant Fishermen’s Memorial Monument and learn about the devastating August Gales of 1926-27. Hear the story of the legendary sailing ship Bluenose, nicknamed the 'Queen of the North Atlantic', as well as of her replica, Bluenose II, which now serves as Canada's sailing ambassador. Observe the architectural details of well-preserved 18th-and 19th-century homes, and stop at St. John’s Anglican Church, a National Historic Site. Dating from 1753, this remarkable structure is the second-oldest Anglican Church in Canada.
Begin your visit to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic with a 30-minute guided tour that provides an overview of the industry at the heart and soul of Lunenburg. After the tour, you are free to wander and explore on your own. The Museum is quite large, with floating vessels at the wharves, an extensive aquarium and a large exhibit complex. Whether you’re interested in local crafts and culture, boats, or history, the Museum has much to offer.
-
This is an easy excursion, with less about half a mile of walking over sidewalks. Comfortable shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
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.
Historic Eastport Walking Tour
Enjoy a flat, leisurely walk-through Eastport’s historic downtown. Start at the working waterfront, harbor fishing boats that will be out lobstering in summer and scalloping in winter. Snap a pic at our newest photo-op, a restored buoy celebrating the Easternmost City in the United State. Take in views across Passamaquoddy Bay noting the extreme changes in the tide levels.
Stroll downtown Water Street. Learn about the great fire of 1886 that devastated the sardine industry at the time. Stop to admire the lovingly restored historic buildings as the town is undergoing a renaissance with thriving new shops and restaurants. Continue along Water St, past the WaCo Diner, Maine’s oldest diner (Est 1924), past the Sea Street building, a 30,000 square foot former sardine can manufacture company, to the south end of downtown to enjoy the views of the International Bridge and Campobello Island, summer home of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt
Visit the Fisherman Statue and hear stories of the history of Eastport including the British Occupation, the Great Fire, and the history of the 29 Historic surrounding buildings.
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.
Shackford Head State Park
After a brief overview of downtown Eastport, drive the short distance to Shackford Head State Park, enclosing 90 acres on Moose Island overlooking Cobscook Bay. Hike along a trail through the woods to a rocky headland 173 feet above sea level, passing several pocket beaches and protected coves. From this outlook, visitors can see Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada, the town of Lubec, Maine, and the Eastport cargo pier on Estes Head, as well as aquaculture pens where Atlantic salmon are raised. Park trails afford great opportunities for wildlife watching as well—with warblers and hermit thrushes in the woodland areas, and bald eagles, common terns and spotted sandpipers along the shore. Ornithologists have documented 28 different bird species nesting on the headland.
-
This is a moderate excursion. The hike to the outlook and back is approximately 1.5 miles over a trail rated as "moderate." It is not suitable guests with limited mobility. Good hiking shoes and binoculars are highly recommended.
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.
Lobster Boat Experience
Enjoy a Downeast Lobster & Seal Cruise on a genuine Maine lobster boat, “The Lady H,” where we will stop and demonstrate Maine’s number one commercial fishery…. Lobstering! Pull actual lobster traps in the waters of Passamaquoddy Bay with a licensed lobster fisherman. Watch the Captain haul traps and see, touch and handle lobsters, crabs, starfish, scallops, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, etc. after the traps are pulled into the boat. You may also see porpoise, whales, Bald Eagles, osprey, seals, and lots of other marine life all which make the bay their home. Experience our 26+ foot tides, travel through the “Old Sow” Whirlpool, the hemisphere’s largest whirlpool and listen to the tales of the sea from our experienced Captain. We recommend bringing along binoculars, a camera, warm clothing, and any snack you might wish to have during your adventure.
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.