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Le Champlain, 8 Night Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys ex Barcelona, Spain to Rome (Civitavecchia)

Cruise Le Champlain, 8 Night Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys ex Barcelona, Spain to Rome (Civitavecchia)
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship Le Champlain
Destination EU Mediterranean
Brief Description 8 Night Cruise sailing from Barcelona, Spain onboard Le Champlain
Type of Cruise Luxury
Departure Date 23 Sep 2026
Cruise Description In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

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

Join us for this voyage along both the French and Italian Rivieras, exploring the rich history and culture of the fabled lands on the northern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Setting sail from Barcelona, your discovery of southern France begins from Sète in the Occitanie with the hilltop city of Carcassonne and its medieval citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The ancient port of Marseille is your gateway to either Aix-en-Provence, "city of a thousand fountains" and home to Paul Cézanne, or to Van Gogh's Arles and the UNESCO World Heritage "City of Popes," Avignon.

The resort town of Villefranche-sur-Mer, just outside Nice and the last French mainland port on this leg of your voyage, offers a tour of nearby Monte Carlo and a trip to the medieval hilltop village of Eze, with panoramic views of the Côte d'Azur. Or enjoy a visit to St. Paul de Vence to visit the Maeght Foundation’s collection of modern and contemporary art and sculpture.

The port of Santa Margherita Ligure provides access to the small Italian fishing village of Portofino, now a favored haunt of the rich and famous, where you may enjoy a relaxing afternoon of leisurely browsing through its shops and galleries and perhaps a chance to sample the local cuisine.

Porto Venere can serve as your gateway to discovery of the UNESCO World Heritage Cinque Terre, the villages at the heart of the Italian Riviera. Or you may spend the day exploring Romanesque Lucca, birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, and medieval Pisa, with its magnificent Duomo, Baptistry, and Leaning Tower.

From Livorno, a full day excursion to Florence introduces you to the heart of the Italian Renaissance. Or if you prefer, you may explore the Etruscan ruins and museum at nearby Volterra.

The last port of call brings you back to French soil and to the spectacular 'sentinel city' of Bonifacio, perched high on cliffs on Corsica's southern coast, where you can stroll along medieval lanes lined with brightly colored houses, or take a local boat to explore the caves and islets along Bonifacio’s scenic coast.

Your voyage ends in the Roman port of Civitavecchia, with easy access to Rome.
Sailing Dates
23 Sep 2026
Category Single Twin Triple Quad
DEL AU $14,140 AU $9,790
PR4 AU $15,660 AU $10,800
PR5 AU $16,440 AU $11,320
PR6 AU $17,340 AU $11,920
DS6 AU $24,050 AU $16,400 AU $8,750
DS3 AU $24,050 AU $16,400 AU $8,750
DS4 AU $24,050 AU $16,400 AU $8,750
DS5 AU $24,050 AU $16,400 AU $8,750
PS5 AU $32,430 AU $21,980 AU $11,540
PS6 AU $34,110 AU $23,100 AU $12,100
PV5 AU $35,790 AU $24,220 AU $12,660
PV6 AU $35,790 AU $24,220 AU $12,660
GD6 AU $39,280 AU $26,550 AU $13,820
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
23 Sep 2026 Barcelona, Spain 6:00 PM
24 Sep 2026 Sete, France 8:00 AM 7:00 PM
25 Sep 2026 Marseillette, France 7:00 AM 6:00 PM
26 Sep 2026 Villefranche-Sur-Mer, France 7:00 AM 8:00 PM
27 Sep 2026 Santa Margherita, Italy 12:00 PM
28 Sep 2026 Portovenere, Italy 7:00 AM
29 Sep 2026 Livorno, (Florence, Pisa) Italy 7:30 AM 5:30 PM
30 Sep 2026 Bonifacio, Corsica. FR 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
1 Oct 2026 Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy 7:00 AM
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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