8 Night Landscapes and Islands of the North Atlantic Cruise from Bordeaux

Ship: L'Austral

Cruise Line: Ponant Cruises

Sailed: Saturday, May 7, 2022 from Bordeaux, France

Ended: Sunday, May 15, 2022

The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Saturday, May 7, 2022 departure of the L'Austral. If Ponant Cruises modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing , the modified schedule would not be reflected here.

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Itinerary

Day by Day Summary and Map

Day 1 - Saturday - May 7, 2022

Bordeaux, France

Depart: 8:30 pm

Bordeaux stretches along the banks of the Garonne river in south-west France. Its rich wine tradition makes it the world capital of wine. Let yourself be carried away by the history of the Port de la Lune, a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its prestigious classical architecture. On the famous Place de la Bourse, the past and the present unite: here you can observe the majestic old buildings reflected in the contemporary Miroir d'eau creation.

Day 2 - Sunday - May 8, 2022

Belle-lle-en-Mer, France

Lying to the south of Brittany, Belle-Ile is very aptly named. The largest of the Ponant Islands, it owes its glowing reputation to its exceptional environment and generous natural attributes: pristine moors and dunes, headlands and cliffs cut into granite points, rocky inlets, and sheltered bays with sandy or pebble beaches. Aboard your ship, let the wild coastline of Belle-Ile-en-Mer surprise you, this little speck of land lying on the ocean, sparkling with colours in the morning light.

Day 3 - Monday - May 9, 2022

Roscoff, France

Once a city of corsairs, the port of Roscoff is now a popular seaside resort proud to have been labelled a "Small Town with Character". From its tumultuous and fascinating past, Roscoff has preserved an exceptional architectural heritage from the 16th and 17th centuries. Its historic center is brimming with relics from the past: the magnificent granite mansions of shipowners, the Gothic Notre-Dame de Croas-Batz Church, and the Old Port, once the stronghold of smugglers and merchants. The town is also known for its foreshore, which boasts a rich algal biodiversity. Its study, beginning in 1872, led to the creation of the first European research and teaching center in marine biology and oceanography, the Station Biologique de Roscoff.

Day 4 - Tuesday - May 10, 2022

St Malo, France

The mere mention of Saint-Malo's name is enough to plunge us back into the richness of its past. The fortifications stand as testimony to the Malouins' determination to defend their citadel, fought over by France and Britain in turn. When we drop anchor here, immerse yourself in the diversity of its heritage: the time when privateers sailed the oceans in search of trade and victories; the legendary yacht races the port city is still famous for, such as the Route du Rhum; and the final resting place of the French writer Francois-Rene de Chateaubriand, who was born here and chose to be buried here anonymously.

Day 5 - Wednesday - May 11, 2022

Guernsey, United Kingdom

Guernsey is an atypical and unforgettable port of call. This Channel Island will delight you with its mild, iodic climate and its green and floral landscapes. Don't be surprised to come across dolmens and menhirs here and there, testifying to the long history of the island and its rich heritage. The attractive capital of St. Peter Port is characteristic of the delightful British atmosphere that gives the island its charm. The memory of the great writer Victor Hugo is also very present, as he lived for fifteen years in exile in Guernsey. His home, Hauteville House, preserves his memory. The incredible richness of the decoration gives a clear illustration of the creative genius of this great man.

Day 6 - Thursday - May 12, 2022

Dartmouth, United Kingdom

Succumb to the charming setting of the small town of Dartmouth in the county of Devon, south-east England. Set in the heart of lush scenery on the banks of the River Dart's estuary, the town's magnificent landscapes are typical of the English countryside. Its picturesque paved streets will let you discover sumptuous half-timbered houses dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries while on the northern bank of the river, you will be able to admire former fishermen's houses in their pastel colours. Now a popular tourist destination, this small port town has nonetheless managed to retain its relaxing and romantic atmosphere.

Day 7 - Friday - May 13, 2022

Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom

Nestling in the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, at the south-west tip of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly form a small British island chain whose climate, landscapes, and lifestyle are unlike any other and seem to have come straight from an Enid Blyton story. Here, everything resembles a tropical paradise. The long sandy beaches run alongside lush green meadows teeming with semi-exotic flowers, while the ruins of ancient castles loom from the tops of the hills. Veritable havens of peace that inspired the legendary Avalon of King Arthur, they are today listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the rugged coastline plays host to wildlife that is as varied as it is exceptional, including the very rare Atlantic grey seal.

Day 8 - Saturday - May 14, 2022

Kinsale, Ireland

Considered Ireland's most beautiful village, Kinsale will captivate you with its sublime natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Located at the mouth of the Bandon River in County Cork, this charming little port is home to picturesque streets lined with colourful houses, art galleries, and theatres, as well as to a 17th-century fort. Not far away, perched on a rocky promontory, stands the Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse: still in operation today, it has magnificent views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 9 - Sunday - May 15, 2022

Dublin, Ireland

The Irish capital stretches along the banks of the Liffey to Dublin Bay, on the east coast of Ireland. Discover Ireland's warm conviviality in the pedestrian district of Temple Bar. Its cobbled streets are brimming with fabulous shops, pubs, and arts centres. Next to Trinity College, famous for its 18th-century library, you can stroll along Grafton Street: in one of its famous tea shops, try a delicious scone and clotted cream served hot and melt-in-the-mouth with jam. Not far from here, the majestic O'Connell Bridge leads you to the avenue with the same name, on which Spire, a luminous contemporary sculpture presides.