As the cradle of ancient Greek, Roman and Phoenician civilisations, a link between peoples and a cultural crossroads, the Mediterranean embodies the fascinating encounter between East and West, where cultures have blended and intermingled for millennia. Le Bougainville invites you on a new 12-day voyage between the city of the gods and the Eternal City to discover the riches of the Mediterranean, with its ancient remains, legendary tales and magnificent coastline.

Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. On this cruise, you can go and admire the marvels of the ancient Greek city of Taormina from Catania, explore the historic centre of Chania and visit Phaestos Palace from Heraklion. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

From Athens, Le Bougainville sails to the southern part of the Aegean Sea and the splendid ancient island of Crete. In its capital, Heraklion, built on the side of a hill overlooking the harbour, you can enjoy looking at the former Venetian ramparts, providing a unique view of the city. Then you will be enchanted by Chania, an ancient city lying between mountains, endless olive groves, secret coves and marvellous beaches.

Further west, you reach Valletta, capital of the island of Malta. Stronghold of the Knights of the Order of Malta, the town is overflowing with architectural splendours and artistic treasures that you will glimpse as soon as you arrive at the port, which is one of the most beautiful in Europe.

Then you head for Sicily and your next stop is Porto Empedocle, gateway to the fabled Greek temples of Agrigento, among the most captivating ruins in the entire Mediterranean. Then, on Etna’s slopes, you spend a magical moment in Catania, destroyed seven times by the volcano's eruptions. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city will charm you with its incomparable cultural wealth.

Lastly, Le Bougainville sails by Reggio di Calabria before heading for the Tyrrhenian coast. After a timeless moment in Salerno, you sail further north to Gaeta. Clinging to the cliffs facing the Tyrrhenian Sea, the ancient city with its narrow streets redolent of a fascinating past will captivate you with its many architectural treasures, like the cathedral, an elegant Romanesque and Moorish building with ceramic decoration.

You continue to sail along the Italian coast to Civitavecchia, the final stop on your trip to these lands brimming with history.