Corsica aboard Le Ponant

Le Ponant © StudioPONANT-SofiaSteeg

With its first-ever tour of Corsica, VENT is proud to announce a uniquely luxurious circumnavigation of France’s “Isle of Beauty” aboard one of the most elegant sailing vessels in the world, Le Ponant. Daily shore excursions guided by local and international experts offer parallel programs exploring not just Corsica’s superb landscapes and wildlife but the island’s cultural and historical significance in the Mediterranean world.

This exciting new cruise takes us out onto the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea for a circumnavigation of wild Corsica, France’s “Isle of Beauty.” Our spectacular sailing ship, accepting no more than 32 passengers with a like number of crew, offers the extraordinary experience of cruising the Mediterranean as if you were on your own private yacht, with friendly and attentive service by a professional crew and delicious meals created by a Michelin-starred chef.

With its three masts, Le Ponant is propelled by the wind whenever possible, giving us a chance to encounter the sea, the sky, and the wildlife in much the same way as the earliest Corsican navigators. The Ponant sails to enchanting ports of call off the beaten path, where we will enjoy privileged access to the authentic Corsica, savoring cultural encounters and unique insights into the island’s complex history, from the Bronze Age to the Age of Napoleon.

Our itinerary begins on the French Riviera, in the sparkling city of Nice, then sails around the island of Corsica, calling at Bastia, Porto Vecchio, Bonifacio, Ajaccio, and Calvi, whose ancient cityscapes still bear witness to the long and complicated history of this crossroads of the Mediterranean. Our program includes tailor-made shore excursions each day, with the choice of cultural or historical outings and excursions more closely focused on the birds and natural history of this stunning island.

Neolithic archaeological sites, medieval fortresses, and quiet fishing towns reveal the rich human traditions of Corsica, its seashores and its mountains. Beaches and marshy lagoons are haunted by some of the most sought-after birds in Europe, while the rugged mountains with their open pine forests are home to a number of attractive Mediterranean specialties, including the delightful Corsican Nuthatch, found here and nowhere else in the world. We will also search out such feathered prizes as Red-crested Pochard, Alpine and Pallid swifts, Audouin’s Gull, Eleonora’s Falcon, Corsican Finch (restricted to Elba, Corsica, and neighboring Sardinia), and Spotless Starling. The dense maquis shrublands offer song posts and prickly hiding places to shy Moltoni’s, Marmora’s, and Dartford warblers and to the handsome Woodchat Shrike.

Whatever your interests—whether sailing, history, art, or nature—our time on the Ponant is an unparalleled chance to indulge them in the company of like-minded travelers and friends, all against a backdrop of captivating beauty from the decks of one of the loveliest and most comfortable sailing vessels in the world.

To explore even more of Mediterranean France, join our optional Grand Canyons of Provence Pre-trip, beginning and ending in Nice. Some of Europe’s most jaw-dropping landscapes provide the dramatic background to such colorful birds as Red-billed Chough, Blue Rock-Thrush, Common Redstart, and Cirl Bunting, while huge but graceful Eurasian Griffons float low overhead.

Starting and ending in Nice, the beating heart of the French Riviera. At sea, all nights aboard the luxurious 16-cabin Ponant, a majestic three-masted sailing yacht with distinctively elegant lines and warm and intimate interior design; daily shore excursions featuring a choice of historical and natural sites; outstanding food and service; mild to warm temperatures, with slight chance of rain. Optional pre-trip, The Grand Canyons of Provence, based in a single first-rate hotel in the lovely countryside of southern France.

Corsican Nuthatch © Agami Photo Agency/Shutterstock