Catalonia, Corsica & the Côte d'Azur: Saint-Tropez and Calvi
French elegance and the spirit of discovery aboard Le Boréal
Interested in this voyage?
Personal advice, no call centre - a reply within 24 hours.
Barcelona → Nice (Villefranche)
A five-night crossing from Barcelona to Nice/Villefranche aboard Le Boreal, the 184-guest Ponant Classic sistership. A compact route along the Catalan coast, through southern French harbours and with a Corsican day in Calvi. Premium all-inclusive service, French cuisine and a marina platform for brief swim stops. An unhurried bridge between two great Mediterranean cities.
Route highlights
- Sète: Canal town on the Etang de Thau, with oyster culture and an unmistakable port atmosphere.
- Marseille: Vieux-Port beneath Notre-Dame de la Garde, with the Calanques as its natural western boundary.
- Calvi: Genoese citadel above a crescent bay, with Corsica's mountain ranges in the background.
- Saint-Tropez: Cote d'Azur harbour town with quayside cafes and the Citadelle above the water.
- Nice/Villefranche: Deep natural harbour beside Cap Ferrat, a short hop from the old town and the Promenade des Anglais.
Early booking advantage: Voyages in 2027 fill quickly - premium cabins are often reserved 18-24 months in advance. An early booking enquiry is non-binding and secures your preferred cabin category.
The Route
Barcelona
5 nights
Nice (Villefranche)
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Tarragona · Embarkation
As Tarraco, Tarragona was the most important Roman city on the Iberian Peninsula. The amphitheatre, remains of the Circus Maximus and the forum stand directly next to the medieval cathedral - the archaeological ensemble has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
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Sète
Sète lies on France's Mediterranean coast in the Hérault department, between open sea and the Étang de Thau lagoon. The canal town is France's second-largest fishing port and the birthplace of Paul Valéry and Georges Brassens.
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Marseille
Marseille is France's oldest port (founded by the Phocaeans in 600 BC) and was European Capital of Culture in 2013. The Vieux Port with its fish stalls, MuCEM and the towering Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde above the city give Marseille its Mediterranean character.
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Calvi, Korsika
Calvi on Corsica's north-west coast has been home to the French Foreign Legion since 1962. The 13th-century Genoese citadel towers over a perfect crescent of pine-fringed beach, and local legend even claims the town as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.
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Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez shifts depending on the season: a picturesque fishing harbour with the old citadel and the Place des Lices as an authentic Provence town on the one hand - a luxury yacht anchorage with international society on the other. The Musée de l'Annonciade houses important post-impressionist works.
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Nizza · Disembarkation
Climate & best time to sail
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air °C | 15 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 16 |
| Sea °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 16 |
| Rain mm | 43 | 37 | 25 | 32 | 30 | 15 | 7 | 20 | 52 | 66 | 58 | 52 |
Long-term monthly normals · Reference: Balearic Islands (Palma)
Le Boréal
Le Boréal was the first ship of the Odyssée class and marked Ponant's move into expedition cruising. 264 guests, ice-reinforced hull, two restaurants - a ship built equally for the passage to the North Cape and the islands of the South Seas.
In the Mediterranean, Le Boréal shows the culinary side of the Ponant philosophy: French-inspired cuisine, open wine, regional specialities.
The Ship
Cabins
Deck plan · Le Boréal
Cabin prices
Prices per person in double cabin (suites: based on double occupancy), all-inclusive. Subject to availability.
| Category | Price p.P. | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superior Aussenkabine | € 3.390 | Available | Enquire |
| Deluxe Balkonkabine | € 3.560 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 4 | € 3.740 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 5 | € 3.920 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 6 | € 4.120 | Available | Enquire |
| Deluxe Suite | € 6.550 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 5 Suite | € 7.240 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 6 Suite | € 7.420 | Available | Enquire |
| Owners Suite - LE FRANCE | € 11.360 | Available | Enquire |
Prices as of: 14.08.2026
Standard inclusions of the ship voyage
On board
- Schiffsreise in der gewählten Kabinenkategorie
- Vollpension an Bord: Frühstücksbuffet, französische Brasserie-Küche zum Mittagessen, mehrgängiges Abendessen
- Große Auswahl an Getränken in Markenqualität (Mineralwasser, Softdrinks, Wein, Bier, Champagner, Kaffee, Tee, ausgewählte Spirituosen)
- Inhalt der Minibar
- 24-Stunden-Roomservice
- Unbegrenzter WiFi-Zugang an Bord
- Ein Landausflug pro Person und Anlaufhafen
- Vorträge und Begleitung der Naturforscher und Lektoren an Bord
- Abendunterhaltung, Vorträge und Shows
- Zugang zu Fitnessbereich und Sauna
- Nicht-motorisierte Wassersport-Aktivitäten (Kajak, Stand-up-Paddle)
- Bei Expeditionsreisen: Zodiac-Anlandungen und Ausfahrten
- Hafen- und Sicherheitsgebühren
Not included
- An- und Abreise zum Schiff (Flüge, Bahn)
- Flughafentransfers
- Reiseversicherung
- Trinkgelder für Crew (übliche Empfehlung 8 bis 10 Euro pro Person und Tag)
- Premium-Spirituosen und ausgewählte Edel-Weine
- Zusätzliche, optionale Landausflüge
- Spa- und Wellness-Anwendungen
- Persönliche Ausgaben (Wäscheservice, Boutique)
- Tauchgänge
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this voyage?
Send us a non-binding enquiry via the form on this page. Our team replies personally within 24 hours with availability, cabin options and a tailored offer. No enquiry fee, no upfront payment.
What is included in the price?
The base price per person (twin cabin) includes the cabin in your chosen category, full board, all port fees and the onboard programme. Flights and transfers are quoted separately. 5 nights from EUR 3.200 p.p. With Ponant, selected wines and beverages at meals are included.
How many guests sail on the Le Boréal?
A maximum of 264 guests - extraordinarily intimate compared to standard cruise ships. The high crew-to-guest ratio ensures personal attention throughout the voyage.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes - all itineraries are subject to weather, port availability and the captain's decisions. This is part of the charm of small-ship cruising: flexibility allows for unexpected discoveries.
Are there specials for early bookers or solo travellers?
Yes. Early bookers receive discounts for timely booking. Solo travellers often benefit from a reduced or waived single supplement. Simply mention your preferences in the enquiry.
Is my booking protected?
Yes. As a German tour operator, ivent-sailing provides a travel protection certificate (Reisesicherungsschein) under German law. Your payment is fully insured.
What about flights and transfers?
We arrange flights and transfers on request as part of your personal offer. This allows us to find the best connections for your specific departure date and home airport.
Are there shore excursions?
Yes. All cruise lines offer shore excursions - from guided cultural tours to nature experiences. The concepts vary by fleet. We are happy to provide details on available excursions for your chosen voyage.
What water sports and activities are available?
Depending on the ship and route: snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddling, diving, and Zodiac landings (on expedition voyages). Many ships have a marina platform for direct access to the water. We will be happy to tell you exactly what is available on your voyage.
When is the best time to sail this voyage?
The best time to sail this route is May to October.
Non-binding enquiry
Your enquiry reaches a person familiar with this voyage and ship.