Le Dumont D'Urville, 8 Night A Celebration of Art: The French & Italian Rivieras and Corsica ex Nice, France Return

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT themed voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

This voyage along the French and Italian Rivieras, including Corsica, is designed for travelers interested in Western Art from the Renaissance onward, with a special focus on modern and contemporary painting and sculpture. From day one, when the choice of activities includes museums dedicated to Renoir and Picasso, to the final day, when the remarkable collection of late-20th-century art in the Maeght Foundation is center stage, painting and sculpture are the focus of nearly all we do. The modern art at either end of the voyage is balanced with two days devoted to the art of the Italian Renaissance as we visit the Fesch Museum on Corsica and the great museums of Rome.

Departing from Nice, begin in the resort town of Cannes, your gateway to a region of southern France with deep ties to the world of modern and contemporary art. Three choices present themselves: The neighboring village of Mougins, where Picasso spent the last years of his life, is home to the new (2024) Femmes Artistes Musée, showcasing the work of women artists from the late 19th century to the present. In Antibes, just east of Cannes, you will find the Picasso Museum, housed in a castle that was once the artist's studio, and in Cagnes-sur- Sea you may visit the estate that served as Renoir's home and workshop from 1907 until his death.

Leaving Cannes, spend two days exploring the French island of Corsica. In Ajaccio, the island's capital, you might visit Maison Bonaparte, the house where Emperor Napoleon was born in 1769, now a museum, or you may prefer to explore the Fesch Museum, generally recognized as having the finest collection of Italian painting in France outside of the Louvre. Then, in Bonifacio, perched high on cliffs above Corsica's southern coast, tour the old town's winding medieval lanes of brightly colored houses and admire their Gothic architecture before visiting Corsica's own Biennale of contemporary art.

From Civitavecchia, travel to Rome, the Eternal City, where you have a choice of three museums to explore. In the Vatican Art Museums enjoy a guided tour focused on some of the most famous works in the collection before visiting the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's Creation of Adam. Or you may prefer to tour Villa Borghese, displaying, among other treasures, sculptures by Bernini and paintings by Caravaggio, Titian, and Raphael. Or, if a more intimate setting appeals to you, you may visit the Doria Pamphili Gallery, one of the most prestigious private art collections in Rome.

Portoferraio, the main harbor of Elba, was founded by the Médicis in the 16th century, but is most famous as the site of Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile in 1814-15. You may choose to learn about the Emperor's life on the island by visiting one of his residences—either Villa San Martino or Villa dei Mulini, both of which are now museums. Alternatively, visit the small Ottoni Botanical Garden and the charming village of Capoliveri.

Once a small Italian fishing village, Portofino is now a favored haunt of the rich and famous. This beautiful resort town welcomes you for a relaxing day of leisure. A guided walking tour will orient you to the village, after which you may browse it shops and galleries at your own pace and perhaps sample the local cuisine.

For the final day of the journey, you may travel from Nice to the 16th-century village of St.-Paul-de-Vence to visit the stunning Maeght Foundation. Set amid a garden of monumental sculptures, the museum, designed by José Luis Sert, houses one of the world's finest collections of 20th-century works by artists including Braque, Chagall, Miró, and Picasso. Alternatively, visit the hilltop medieval village of Eze and the splendid gardens of the Villa Ephrussi Rothschild.

Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.

As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Dumont d'Urville will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.

Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.

Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.

EXPERIENCE CRUISING ANOTHER WAY, DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF YACHT CRUISES.

Our mission is to transport you to mythical destinations and secret ports only accessible to small capacity ships.

To offer the delights of a French-inspired cuisine in an intimate environment - a discreet service where no attention to detail is spared - and unforgettable moments of relaxation on board elegant yachts of character.

To combine sophistication and conviviality, with priority given to authentic experiences, emotions and the ongoing quest for excellence.

Yacht cruises: more than a cruise, a privilege...

Attentive, professional, discreet and elegant, the fully bilingual service on board will meet your every desire. Our unique atmosphere is filled with a signature sentiment: a warm welcome from an experienced crew who are passionate about what they do, in the tradition of private yachting.

In the dining areas, our gourmet cuisine is worthy of top fine dining restaurants: exquisite wines are available, and menus are created with expertise by our skilled chefs with a French-inspired menu enhanced by specialties from our various ports of call.

Pleasure, enrichment, discovery: relax - we take care of everything...