Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
30% Ponant Bonus
215 ft²
2
- New
The St. Lawrence River in the Heart of the Boreal Winter
Québec - Saint Pierre Island, Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Dates:
1/29/2025
to
2/10/2025
Other available dates
days
nights on board
TRANSFER + FLIGHT SAINT PIERRE & MIQUELON/MONTREAL
With featured guests Mike Louagie and Ian Dawson, Photo Ambassadors.
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
Your itinerary
With featured guests Mike Louagie and Ian Dawson, Photo Ambassadors. 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...
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Your trip in detail
Our guest of honour
Ian Dawson
"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
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.
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LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
LE BORÉAL
L'AUSTRAL
L'AUSTRAL
11/5/2025 to the 11/23/2025
LE CHAMPLAIN
12/3/2025 to the 12/13/2025
*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
- Concierge Service: tailor-made and fully customisable services, from your reservation until you return from your trip
- Glazed private balcony for all our staterooms and suites
- Terrace for the Duplex suites and the Owner's suite
- 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
- Dyptique 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)
- 3 ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
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 :
- Water-resistant parka - offered on board (not children sizes ; in case of consecutive cruises, only one complimentary parka).
- Half calf waterproof rubber boots with non-slip soles (for hikes and visits on unequipped and sometimes unstable terrain). Free rental will be offered on board (adults only).
- Comfortable trousers : classic winter trouser, warm cotton tracksuit or wool legging.
- Waterproof and wind proof over-trousers – MANDATORY.
- Windbreaker
- Winter trousers with waterproof over-trousers are the ideal combination : water-resistance and flexibility of trousers are essential and imperative.
- Pullover, sweat-shirt or fleece jacket.
- Woolen or thermolactyl underwear.
- Woolen or fleece neck-warmer, woolen or fleece ear muffs or warm hat (avoid scarves as they do not stay in place) - MANDATORY
- Wool or silk under gloves, flexible technical and waterproof gloves.
- Thick warm socks (ideally woolen).
- Winter shoes (with a wool lining).
- Walking sticks. Free rental will be offered on board
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.
INSULATED BASE LAYER:
- Wool or thermolactyl technical underwear
- Polar or technical jacket
- Polar sweater or sweatshirt
- Silk or wool glove liners
- Wool leggings
- Warm hiking socks
- Winter shoes (with a wool lining)
WATERPROOF OUTER LAYER:
- Waterproof over-trousers - Mandatory
- Waterproof parka - Offered on board (not available in children’s sizes)
- Windbreaker – Mandatory
- A warm woollen hat covering your ears
- Polar or woollen neck warmer
- Waterproof technical gloves
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen
- Lip protection balm
- Mosquito repellent, anti-itch balm and mosquito head net (Greenland)
- 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
ACCESSORIES:
- Highly protective sunglasses
- Binoculars
- Walking poles
- Small waterproof backpack
- Swimsuit (for the spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
PONANT activities
Highlights
- With featured guests Mike Louagie and Ian Dawson, Photo Ambassadors.
- 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 Canada.
- The eye and the advice of our photo ambassador, a privileged opportunity to immortalise your trip with, in the programme: workshops, conferences and personalized advice to improve your photographic skills.
- During this cruise, enjoy carefully designed activities: among them, included excursions* led by local guides who are experts in the destination, as well as activities accompanied by your naturalist guides.
- Visit traditional villages and get to meet indigenous Innu and Micmac communities.
- The possibility of admiring the unique colours of the Northern Lights rippling across the sky.
- Activities** during the unique winter season: fatbike, hiking, skiing or snowshoeing, local tastings.
- Make the most of Quebecois hospitality and conviviality.
- Landscapes: great open spaces, fjords, immaculate boreal forests, sea ice, snow-covered valleys.
*Pre-bookings open around two months before the start of the cruise; requests are processed on a first-come first-served basis, subject to availability.
**Activities subject to weather conditions, to be pre-booked before the cruise. More information available soon.
The activities mentioned are given as examples, the programme of activities will be fine-tuned as the departure of your cruise approaches and will be available on the website.
Ports of Call & Excursions
January 29, 2025 January 30, 2025 - Québec
Embarkation 1/29/2025 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Departure 1/30/2025 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.
January 31, 2025 February 1, 2025 - La Baie (Saguenay)
Arrival 1/31/2025
Departure 2/1/2025
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.
February 2, 2025 - Sailing Saguenay River
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.
February 3, 2025 February 4, 2025 - Sept-Îles
Arrival 2/3/2025
Departure 2/4/2025
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.
February 5, 2025 February 6, 2025 - Gaspé
Arrival 2/5/2025
Departure 2/6/2025
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.
February 7, 2025 February 8, 2025 - Cap-aux-Meules, Magdalen Islands
Arrival 2/7/2025
Departure 2/8/2025
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.
February 9, 2025 - At sea
Arrival 2/9/2025
Departure 2/9/2025
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.
February 10, 2025 - Saint Pierre Island, Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Arrival 2/10/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 2/10/2025 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.
Old Quebec and Montmorency Falls
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.
Escapade in Old Quebec
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.
- We recommend you wear comfortable clothing and 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.
Ponant Signature: Ice canoeing on the St. Lawrence River
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 : €350
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.
Heritage and skating in Old Quebec
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.
- We recommend you wear comfortable clothing and 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.
Snowshoeing in the Jacques-Cartier National Park
Set off snowshoeing through the glacial valleys and majestic forests, and discover an incomparably rich ecosystem, where every step immerses you into the splendour of Quebec’s nature.
Lying near to the vibrant city of Quebec, the Jacques-Cartier National Park will transport you into a world whose majestic mountains, glacier-sculpted valleys and snow-covered forests tell age-old stories.
This walk is accessible to beginners and those with more experience and will invite you to discover the riches of the park’s ecosystem. Spot wild animal tracks and admire the calmness of the area, enhanced by its white winter coat. One of the highlights of the walk will undoubtedly be the exploration of the Jacques-Cartier Valley, an immense glacial fault 550 metres (1,800 feet) deep, considered one of the most impressive in the province.
Extend this discovery with a visit to the city of Quebec, cradle of Canadian history, founded by Jacques Cartier in the 16th century. Walk around Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and fall under the charm of its historic little streets and its emblematic architecture.
- This excursion includes some walking on snow-covered paths. You will set off from Jacques-Cartier National Park’s Discovery and Visitors Centre, which will provide the snowshoes and poles. We recommend wearing waterproof boots, gloves, a hat and sunglasses.
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.
Snowshoe at Bec-Scie
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.
Ice fishing in the Saguenay Fjord
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.
Essential Saguenay
Enjoy the best of what Saguenay region has to offer. Your tour begins with a scenic drive through La Baie, where you’ll discover the importance of the Saguenay Fjord-deeply chiseled in the Laurentian Mountains.
Learn about the creation of the fjord and the mysteries it conceals at the Fjord Museum. Continue to the "Ha! Ha! Pyramid", a monument to the great flood of 1996 that devastated the region and proved to be one of Canada’s greatest natural disasters.
Then, during your guided visit, discover the historical site of the Pulp Mill Museum. This museum features the history of the Compagnie de pulp de Chicoutimi and highlights the significant part this company played in the development of the city and region at the beginning of the last century.
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.
Electric snowmobile and distillery
Set off on an unforgettable winter journey to the Mont-Valin, where you will experience a unique adventure on an electric snowmobile, followed by a tasting of local spirits at the Fjord Distillery.
The majestic and peaceful Mont-Valin stretches before you into a tangle of snow-covered forests and azure skies. Aboard electric snowmobiles, you will glide silently through these secret trails, where there are breathtaking panoramas at every turn: deep valleys, frozen rivers, distant mountains...
At the end of your ride, you will be expected at the Fjord Distillery, a place imbued with history and tradition. Here, an enthusiastic guide will reveal the secrets of craft distillation, highlighting the excellence of local products from the heart of the region. During a tasting, try the exceptional spirits, carefully elaborated from the treasures of the terroir.
- We recommend wearing warm clothing (boots, warm socks, gloves, hat, etc.)
- A driving licence is required.
Total : €600
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.
Ponant signature: Monts Valin & Overnight Stay
Tucked away in the Saguenay Fjord region, Mont-Valin National Park is home of the Ghost Valley, a place of wonders and unique natural sights.
Best known for its Valley of the Ghosts (Vallée des Fantômes), where snow seems to transform trees into ghosts, these lands hold within themselves sentinel like forms, with jaw-dropping edge cliff sceneries. Time slows down in this valley where a unique silence prevails. Plunge into nature, let the crisp winter air and the snowy pine trees sweep you off your feet as you breath in this Saguenay wonder.
During this overnight adventure, you will be greeted by local experienced guides who will take care of you and accompany you during this overnight stay, including meals, a snowshoeing adventure and lodging in a Yurt. At the top of this 980-meter-high mountain, the words winter and nature take on their full meaning! You are in Saguenay, this is a must-do in the Winter season.
Total : €970
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.
Ice fishing in the Saguenay Fjord
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.
Dogsledge in boreal forest
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.
Snowshoe at Bec-Scie
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.
Essential Saguenay
Enjoy the best of what Saguenay region has to offer. Your tour begins with a scenic drive through La Baie, where you’ll discover the importance of the Saguenay Fjord-deeply chiseled in the Laurentian Mountains.
Learn about the creation of the fjord and the mysteries it conceals at the Fjord Museum. Continue to the "Ha! Ha! Pyramid", a monument to the great flood of 1996 that devastated the region and proved to be one of Canada’s greatest natural disasters.
Then, during your guided visit, discover the historical site of the Pulp Mill Museum. This museum features the history of the Compagnie de pulp de Chicoutimi and highlights the significant part this company played in the development of the city and region at the beginning of the last century.
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.
Electric snowmobile and distillery
Set off on an unforgettable winter journey to the Mont-Valin, where you will experience a unique adventure on an electric snowmobile, followed by a tasting of local spirits at the Fjord Distillery.
The majestic and peaceful Mont-Valin stretches before you into a tangle of snow-covered forests and azure skies. Aboard electric snowmobiles, you will glide silently through these secret trails, where there are breathtaking panoramas at every turn: deep valleys, frozen rivers, distant mountains...
At the end of your ride, you will be expected at the Fjord Distillery, a place imbued with history and tradition. Here, an enthusiastic guide will reveal the secrets of craft distillation, highlighting the excellence of local products from the heart of the region. During a tasting, try the exceptional spirits, carefully elaborated from the treasures of the terroir.
- We recommend wearing warm clothing (boots, warm socks, gloves, hat, etc.)
- A driving licence is required.
Total : €600
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.
Overnight Experience - Embracing the Innu Culture
Embark on a unique cultural journey to discover the rich traditions of the Innu people in a warm and authentic setting.
Under a traditional tipi, savor the distinctive flavors of a meal prepared using ancestral methods, featuring goose, caribou, bannock, and tea. Dive into the fascinating history of Uashat mak Mani-Uténam through its stories, artifacts, and cultural heritage.
Take part in interactive workshops: learn about ancestral communication codes and craft your own dreamcatcher.
In the evening, enjoy a captivating musical performance by Innu singer-songwriter Roland St-Onge, accompanied by traditional makusham dances. Relax around an outdoor bonfire before ending the night with tales and legends told by Ovila Fontaine.
Conclude your day under the shaputuan, where a maintained fire ensures your comfort throughout the night. The experience wraps up with a hearty breakfast, a thoughtful gift presentation, and a warm farewell, leaving you enriched by this unforgettable journey.
Total : €1,150
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.
Sept-Iles Highlights & Museum
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.
Guided tour of Atikuss and tasting
Plunge into the vibrant souls of Sept-Îles, where the sea and the forest interlace to offer a journey into the very heart of ancestral traditions and authentic creations.
In the Côte-Nord region, between the whispers of the waves and the heady perfume of the forest, Sept-Îles will reveal its setting of wild beauty, a place where history and culture have mixed for millennia. For almost 500 years, this region has captivated the heart of explorers and settlers, while its shores have been home to the stories of the indigenous tribes for over 7,000 years.
Among these cultural treasures is Atikuss, which was founded by Josée Shushei Leblanc, an Innue businesswoman, and is so much more than a simple economuseum. This place is a celebration of indigenous arts and crafts, where each bead, each woven thread, tells an ancient and precious story. The hands of the craftswomen, who master the arts of beading and weaving, are bringing age-old traditions back to life while reinventing modern creations. These guardians of time will not fail to tell you about their legends and share their day-to-day life with you.
The caribou, the noble symbol of the First Nations communities, has a special place in this very meaningful site. Through their refined creations, the craftswomen at Atikuss are giving back pride of place to the caribou. Carefully elaborated pieces of beading and weaving mingle with the animal’s spirit, paying tribute to a living culture, nourished by a love of nature and respect for ancestors.
Allow yourself to be guided by the traces left by the ancestors and the creative energy of the women of today to discover a region in which every gesture, every creation, is an ode to nature, to memory and to the future.
- This excursion involves some walking on flat ground.
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.
Embracing the Innu Culture
Begin your journey and travel to the nearby village of Malioténam, a place steeped in history and spirituality.
Upon arrival, take a quick tour of the village and stop for a guided visit to the chapel. Discover the area's rich cultural heritage and learn about the significant role Malioténam has played in preserving the traditions of the Innu people.
Continue your journey back to Sept-Îles to visit the beautifully constructed Innu Shaputuan. Step into this traditional gathering space, where fir branches cover the ground, adding a sensory connection to the natural environment. Enjoy a light snack as you engage in a meaningful encounter with a member of the Innu community. Hear captivating stories, explore their customs, and gain a deeper understanding of the Innu way of life, rooted in respect for the land and their ancestral traditions.
Conclude your excursion with a relaxing drive back to the Port of Sept-Îles. Take with you lasting memories of the Innu community's resilience, rich culture, and deep connection to the land.
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.
Sept-Iles Highlights & Museum
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.
Guided tour of Atikuss and tasting
Plunge into the vibrant souls of Sept-Îles, where the sea and the forest interlace to offer a journey into the very heart of ancestral traditions and authentic creations.
In the Côte-Nord region, between the whispers of the waves and the heady perfume of the forest, Sept-Îles will reveal its setting of wild beauty, a place where history and culture have mixed for millennia. For almost 500 years, this region has captivated the heart of explorers and settlers, while its shores have been home to the stories of the indigenous tribes for over 7,000 years.
Among these cultural treasures is Atikuss, which was founded by Josée Shushei Leblanc, an Innue businesswoman, and is so much more than a simple economuseum. This place is a celebration of indigenous arts and crafts, where each bead, each woven thread, tells an ancient and precious story. The hands of the craftswomen, who master the arts of beading and weaving, are bringing age-old traditions back to life while reinventing modern creations. These guardians of time will not fail to tell you about their legends and share their day-to-day life with you.
The caribou, the noble symbol of the First Nations communities, has a special place in this very meaningful site. Through their refined creations, the craftswomen at Atikuss are giving back pride of place to the caribou. Carefully elaborated pieces of beading and weaving mingle with the animal’s spirit, paying tribute to a living culture, nourished by a love of nature and respect for ancestors.
Allow yourself to be guided by the traces left by the ancestors and the creative energy of the women of today to discover a region in which every gesture, every creation, is an ode to nature, to memory and to the future.
- This excursion involves some walking on flat ground.
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.
Embracing the Innu Culture
Begin your journey and travel to the nearby village of Malioténam, a place steeped in history and spirituality.
Upon arrival, take a quick tour of the village and stop for a guided visit to the chapel. Discover the area's rich cultural heritage and learn about the significant role Malioténam has played in preserving the traditions of the Innu people.
Continue your journey back to Sept-Îles to visit the beautifully constructed Innu Shaputuan. Step into this traditional gathering space, where fir branches cover the ground, adding a sensory connection to the natural environment. Enjoy a light snack as you engage in a meaningful encounter with a member of the Innu community. Hear captivating stories, explore their customs, and gain a deeper understanding of the Innu way of life, rooted in respect for the land and their ancestral traditions.
Conclude your excursion with a relaxing drive back to the Port of Sept-Îles. Take with you lasting memories of the Innu community's resilience, rich culture, and deep connection to the land.
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.
Snowshoeing in Forillon Park Valley
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.
Discovering Mi'kmaq culture
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.
Ski Hoc
Set off on an adventure on the Gaspé Peninsula and discover its wild beauty as you “ski hoc”, also called “ski-raquette” (snowshoe skiing) by our Canadian compatriots!
You will begin your escapade on the panoramic road that goes along the Canadian east coast, whose majestic and jagged relief you will be able to admire, to the small town of Percé. On the way, you will stop at a charming 200-year-old inn. Splendid panoramas, the immensity of the forest, the noises of the sea… This will be a veritable sensorial journey and you will be able to make the most of the magic of this site, appreciated by nature lovers.
Then under the guidance of a local guide, you will leave from the Camp de Base Gaspésie and discover the wild forests of the Gaspé Peninsula while practising ski hoc, a subtle mix of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. You will discover breathtaking views as you glide along the powder slopes before you.
Then you will finish your day in the warm atmosphere of the Camp de Base Gaspésie where your host will welcome you with homemade desserts and warm drinks. A well-deserved cocoon of softness to end this sporting day full of emotions.
- For this excursion, we recommend you wear warm clothes that can be layered and are suitable for outdoor use. In January and March, the temperatures can vary between -5° C and -15° C. The slopes may have uneven relief and uphill areas.
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.
Snowshoeing in Forillon Park Valley
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.
Discovering Mi'kmaq culture
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.
Ski Hoc
Set off on an adventure on the Gaspé Peninsula and discover its wild beauty as you “ski hoc”, also called “ski-raquette” (snowshoe skiing) by our Canadian compatriots!
You will begin your escapade on the panoramic road that goes along the Canadian east coast, whose majestic and jagged relief you will be able to admire, to the small town of Percé. On the way, you will stop at a charming 200-year-old inn. Splendid panoramas, the immensity of the forest, the noises of the sea… This will be a veritable sensorial journey and you will be able to make the most of the magic of this site, appreciated by nature lovers.
Then under the guidance of a local guide, you will leave from the Camp de Base Gaspésie and discover the wild forests of the Gaspé Peninsula while practising ski hoc, a subtle mix of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. You will discover breathtaking views as you glide along the powder slopes before you.
Then you will finish your day in the warm atmosphere of the Camp de Base Gaspésie where your host will welcome you with homemade desserts and warm drinks. A well-deserved cocoon of softness to end this sporting day full of emotions.
- For this excursion, we recommend you wear warm clothes that can be layered and are suitable for outdoor use. In January and March, the temperatures can vary between -5° C and -15° C. The slopes may have uneven relief and uphill areas.
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.
Culinary heritage of the Magdalen Islands
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
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.
E-Bike Adventure
You will be captivated by the enchanting landscapes of the Magdalen Islands during this unforgettable electric 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.
Culinary heritage of the Magdalen Islands
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.
E-Bike Adventure
You will be captivated by the enchanting landscapes of the Magdalen Islands during this unforgettable electric 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
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.
Le Commandant Charcot
With Le Commandant Charcot, PONANT has imagined and envisaged the cruise voyage of tomorrow. The latest addition to the fleet will take you following in the footsteps of the great polar explorers in refined surroundings complete with the kind of luxury services never before offered in the farthest reaches of the southern and northern hemispheres.
The indoor swimming pool, the conservatory, the panoramic restaurant, the Blue Lagoon outdoor restaurant, the Main Lounge, the Observation Lounge, the lobby… Each of the common areas has been designed to both convey French-style discreet luxury and arouse wonder and amazement. The common thread running through all their designs is the desire to allow the light to penetrate and open everything up the extraordinary polar landscapes and scenery.
This very first hybrid-electric polar exploration ship powered by LNG has been designed with the greatest attention to detail in terms of safety and respect for the environment.
Decks
TRANSFER + FLIGHT SAINT PIERRE & MIQUELON/MONTREAL
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:
- Flight Saint Pierre & Miquelon/Montreal selected by PONANT in economy class.
- Transfer as mentioned in the programme.
- English-speaking assistance.
This programme does not include:
- Personal expenses.
- Any other service not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
- Due to limited local transportation resources, waiting might be generated.
- Flight included in the programme is as of today, operated in economy class, on a European airline.
- For passengers in transit in Montreal, we recommend staying one night in Montreal after this flight.
- Programme and flight schedule are subject to change without prior notice.
No single supplement
FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT *
*The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
MONTREAL: THE CITY OF LIGHTS (3 NIGHTS)
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:
-
2-nights accommodation in Premier Carré Doré room at the Four Seasons Montréal 5* (or similar), breakfast included.
-
1-night accommodation in Fairmont Gold River view room at the Fairmont Frontenac Québec 4* (or similar), breakfast included.
-
Meals as mentioned in the programme.
-
Beverage package during meals (bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 glass of wine or 1 local beer and 1 coffee or tea).
-
Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
-
The services of a local English-speaking guide.
-
Hospitality desks at the hotel during your time at leisure.
Your programme does not include:
-
Diners on day 1 and 3.
-
Lunch on day 1.
-
Personal expenses.
-
Visa if necessary.
-
Tips for the driver and local guide.
-
Late check-out.
-
Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
-
It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
-
Official hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m.
-
Official hotel check-out time is 12:00 a.m.
-
Early check-in might be available depending on availability and on a supplement basis.
-
This programme requires you to walk outside. We recommend wearing several layers of clothing to keep your body warmth (a base layer, a middle layer and an outer layer).
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 : $3,600
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.FROM MONTREAL TO QUEBEC (1 NIGHT)
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:
-
1-night accommodation in Premier Carré Doré room at the Four Seasons Montréal 5* (or similar), breakfast included.
-
Meals as mentioned in the programme.
-
Beverage package during meals (bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 glass of wine or 1 local beer and 1 coffee or tea).
-
Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
-
The services of a local English-speaking guide.
-
Hospitality desk at the hotel, the day of your arrival.
Your programme does not include:
-
Lunch and diner on day 1.
-
Personal expenses.
-
Visa if necessary.
-
Tips for the driver and local guide.
-
Early check-in and late check-out.
-
Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
-
It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
-
Official hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m.
-
Early check-in or late check-out might be available depending on availability and on a supplement basis.
-
The train schedule from Montreal to Quebec City will be available in late 2024, the final programme will depend on the train time departure and arrival. On day 2, lunch will either be served onboard the train or in Québec City.
-
Business class onboard the train includes access to a business lounge at the train station with non-alcoholic beverages, a meal onboard the train (breakfast or lunch), local beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, or tea. It features ergonomic seats with extra leg room and free wifi.
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 : $1,320
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Old Quebec and Montmorency Falls
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.
Escapade in Old Quebec
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.
- We recommend you wear comfortable clothing and 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.
Ponant Signature: Ice canoeing on the St. Lawrence River
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 : €350
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.
Heritage and skating in Old Quebec
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.
- We recommend you wear comfortable clothing and 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.
Snowshoeing in the Jacques-Cartier National Park
Set off snowshoeing through the glacial valleys and majestic forests, and discover an incomparably rich ecosystem, where every step immerses you into the splendour of Quebec’s nature.
Lying near to the vibrant city of Quebec, the Jacques-Cartier National Park will transport you into a world whose majestic mountains, glacier-sculpted valleys and snow-covered forests tell age-old stories.
This walk is accessible to beginners and those with more experience and will invite you to discover the riches of the park’s ecosystem. Spot wild animal tracks and admire the calmness of the area, enhanced by its white winter coat. One of the highlights of the walk will undoubtedly be the exploration of the Jacques-Cartier Valley, an immense glacial fault 550 metres (1,800 feet) deep, considered one of the most impressive in the province.
Extend this discovery with a visit to the city of Quebec, cradle of Canadian history, founded by Jacques Cartier in the 16th century. Walk around Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and fall under the charm of its historic little streets and its emblematic architecture.
- This excursion includes some walking on snow-covered paths. You will set off from Jacques-Cartier National Park’s Discovery and Visitors Centre, which will provide the snowshoes and poles. We recommend wearing waterproof boots, gloves, a hat and sunglasses.
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.
Snowshoe at Bec-Scie
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.
Essential Saguenay
Enjoy the best of what Saguenay region has to offer. Your tour begins with a scenic drive through La Baie, where you’ll discover the importance of the Saguenay Fjord-deeply chiseled in the Laurentian Mountains.
Learn about the creation of the fjord and the mysteries it conceals at the Fjord Museum. Continue to the "Ha! Ha! Pyramid", a monument to the great flood of 1996 that devastated the region and proved to be one of Canada’s greatest natural disasters.
Then, during your guided visit, discover the historical site of the Pulp Mill Museum. This museum features the history of the Compagnie de pulp de Chicoutimi and highlights the significant part this company played in the development of the city and region at the beginning of the last century.
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.
Ponant signature: Monts Valin & Overnight Stay
Tucked away in the Saguenay Fjord region, Mont-Valin National Park is home of the Ghost Valley, a place of wonders and unique natural sights.
Best known for its Valley of the Ghosts (Vallée des Fantômes), where snow seems to transform trees into ghosts, these lands hold within themselves sentinel like forms, with jaw-dropping edge cliff sceneries. Time slows down in this valley where a unique silence prevails. Plunge into nature, let the crisp winter air and the snowy pine trees sweep you off your feet as you breath in this Saguenay wonder.
During this overnight adventure, you will be greeted by local experienced guides who will take care of you and accompany you during this overnight stay, including meals, a snowshoeing adventure and lodging in a Yurt. At the top of this 980-meter-high mountain, the words winter and nature take on their full meaning! You are in Saguenay, this is a must-do in the Winter season.
Total : €970
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.
Ice fishing in the Saguenay Fjord
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.
Dogsledge in boreal forest
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.
Electric snowmobile and distillery
Set off on an unforgettable winter journey to the Mont-Valin, where you will experience a unique adventure on an electric snowmobile, followed by a tasting of local spirits at the Fjord Distillery.
The majestic and peaceful Mont-Valin stretches before you into a tangle of snow-covered forests and azure skies. Aboard electric snowmobiles, you will glide silently through these secret trails, where there are breathtaking panoramas at every turn: deep valleys, frozen rivers, distant mountains...
At the end of your ride, you will be expected at the Fjord Distillery, a place imbued with history and tradition. Here, an enthusiastic guide will reveal the secrets of craft distillation, highlighting the excellence of local products from the heart of the region. During a tasting, try the exceptional spirits, carefully elaborated from the treasures of the terroir.
- We recommend wearing warm clothing (boots, warm socks, gloves, hat, etc.)
- A driving licence is required.
Total : €600
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.
Overnight Experience - Embracing the Innu Culture
Embark on a unique cultural journey to discover the rich traditions of the Innu people in a warm and authentic setting.
Under a traditional tipi, savor the distinctive flavors of a meal prepared using ancestral methods, featuring goose, caribou, bannock, and tea. Dive into the fascinating history of Uashat mak Mani-Uténam through its stories, artifacts, and cultural heritage.
Take part in interactive workshops: learn about ancestral communication codes and craft your own dreamcatcher.
In the evening, enjoy a captivating musical performance by Innu singer-songwriter Roland St-Onge, accompanied by traditional makusham dances. Relax around an outdoor bonfire before ending the night with tales and legends told by Ovila Fontaine.
Conclude your day under the shaputuan, where a maintained fire ensures your comfort throughout the night. The experience wraps up with a hearty breakfast, a thoughtful gift presentation, and a warm farewell, leaving you enriched by this unforgettable journey.
Total : €1,150
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.
Sept-Iles Highlights & Museum
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.
Guided tour of Atikuss and tasting
Plunge into the vibrant souls of Sept-Îles, where the sea and the forest interlace to offer a journey into the very heart of ancestral traditions and authentic creations.
In the Côte-Nord region, between the whispers of the waves and the heady perfume of the forest, Sept-Îles will reveal its setting of wild beauty, a place where history and culture have mixed for millennia. For almost 500 years, this region has captivated the heart of explorers and settlers, while its shores have been home to the stories of the indigenous tribes for over 7,000 years.
Among these cultural treasures is Atikuss, which was founded by Josée Shushei Leblanc, an Innue businesswoman, and is so much more than a simple economuseum. This place is a celebration of indigenous arts and crafts, where each bead, each woven thread, tells an ancient and precious story. The hands of the craftswomen, who master the arts of beading and weaving, are bringing age-old traditions back to life while reinventing modern creations. These guardians of time will not fail to tell you about their legends and share their day-to-day life with you.
The caribou, the noble symbol of the First Nations communities, has a special place in this very meaningful site. Through their refined creations, the craftswomen at Atikuss are giving back pride of place to the caribou. Carefully elaborated pieces of beading and weaving mingle with the animal’s spirit, paying tribute to a living culture, nourished by a love of nature and respect for ancestors.
Allow yourself to be guided by the traces left by the ancestors and the creative energy of the women of today to discover a region in which every gesture, every creation, is an ode to nature, to memory and to the future.
- This excursion involves some walking on flat ground.
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.
Embracing the Innu Culture
Begin your journey and travel to the nearby village of Malioténam, a place steeped in history and spirituality.
Upon arrival, take a quick tour of the village and stop for a guided visit to the chapel. Discover the area's rich cultural heritage and learn about the significant role Malioténam has played in preserving the traditions of the Innu people.
Continue your journey back to Sept-Îles to visit the beautifully constructed Innu Shaputuan. Step into this traditional gathering space, where fir branches cover the ground, adding a sensory connection to the natural environment. Enjoy a light snack as you engage in a meaningful encounter with a member of the Innu community. Hear captivating stories, explore their customs, and gain a deeper understanding of the Innu way of life, rooted in respect for the land and their ancestral traditions.
Conclude your excursion with a relaxing drive back to the Port of Sept-Îles. Take with you lasting memories of the Innu community's resilience, rich culture, and deep connection to the land.
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.
Snowshoeing in Forillon Park Valley
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.
Discovering Mi'kmaq culture
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.
Ski Hoc
Set off on an adventure on the Gaspé Peninsula and discover its wild beauty as you “ski hoc”, also called “ski-raquette” (snowshoe skiing) by our Canadian compatriots!
You will begin your escapade on the panoramic road that goes along the Canadian east coast, whose majestic and jagged relief you will be able to admire, to the small town of Percé. On the way, you will stop at a charming 200-year-old inn. Splendid panoramas, the immensity of the forest, the noises of the sea… This will be a veritable sensorial journey and you will be able to make the most of the magic of this site, appreciated by nature lovers.
Then under the guidance of a local guide, you will leave from the Camp de Base Gaspésie and discover the wild forests of the Gaspé Peninsula while practising ski hoc, a subtle mix of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. You will discover breathtaking views as you glide along the powder slopes before you.
Then you will finish your day in the warm atmosphere of the Camp de Base Gaspésie where your host will welcome you with homemade desserts and warm drinks. A well-deserved cocoon of softness to end this sporting day full of emotions.
- For this excursion, we recommend you wear warm clothes that can be layered and are suitable for outdoor use. In January and March, the temperatures can vary between -5° C and -15° C. The slopes may have uneven relief and uphill areas.
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.
Culinary heritage of the Magdalen Islands
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
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.
E-Bike Adventure
You will be captivated by the enchanting landscapes of the Magdalen Islands during this unforgettable electric 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.
OVERNIGHT IN MONTREAL (1 NIGHT)
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:
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1-night accommodation in a Premier Golden Square room at the Four Seasons Hotel Montreal, including breakfast.
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Transfers as mentioned in the programme.
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Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your program does not include:
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Dinner on Day 1 and the other meals not mentioned in the programme.
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Tips for the driver and guide.
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Personal expenses.
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Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
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The local currency is the Canadian dollar. International credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, and you can withdraw money from banks and currency exchange offices.
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It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
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 : $960
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.