Superior Stateroom
15% Ponant Bonus
21 m²
3
With the exceptional presence of Franck Ferrand and Thierry Lentz.
More than two centuries after his death, there is still a key figure, a myth to which we constantly return. Political genius, feared war leader or despot? Napoleon Bonaparte continues to raise questions, to appeal and to fascinate, well beyond French and European borders. On the occasion of the bicentenary of his death, whose commemorations were celebrated in May 2021, PONANT invites you on an exceptional 20-night cruise following in the footsteps of the first French emperor.
Aboard Le Lyrial, leaving from Dakar, the bustling Senegalese capital, you will sail south on the maritime route taken by HMS Northumberland, the ship that escorted Napoleon to Saint Helena, in 1815. You will then head towards your first port of call: Ascension Island. On this desert island, the British created a garrison to counter any hope of escape by the Emperor. Today the island is a veritable sanctuary for birds, marine mammals and green turtles.
You will then call at the mythical and emblematic island of Saint Helena. Although this British territory, the site of his last exile, houses his tomb, it remains above all the place where Napoleon dictated his memoirs and sealed his legend. Offering an intimate and moving testimony of his last moments on the island, the Longwood Residence and the Emperor’s furniture have been preciously maintained and preserved by the French authorities and the Fondation Napoléon. During your visit, you will travel through history in a luxuriant and bucolic setting, far from the sombre image of the island.
After a few days at sea, punctuated by several conferences on-board about the life of “the little corporal”, Le Lyrial will set sail for the Brazilian coastline. Following ports of call at intoxicating Rio de Janeiro and authentic Paraty, this marvellous trip will end in Santos, one of the first Portuguese colonies to be established in the New World, famous for its picturesque historical centre.
Ref : LY141023
An original cruise in the footsteps of the first French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, on the occasion of the bicentenary of the publication of the Memorial of Saint Helena written by Emmanuel de Las Cases...
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For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
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Franck Ferrand
An historian by training (EHESS), author of a dozen books on history – including Versailles après les rois (Perrin), L’Histoire interdite (Tallandier), François Ier, roi de chimères (Flammarion) and Dictionnaire amoureux de Versailles (Plon), and the successful saga La Cour des Dames – Franck Ferrand has emerged over the years as one of our leading “history messengers”.
For 15 years, he has hosted historic rendezvous on Europe 1, including the famous daily slot Au cœur de l’histoire. Since September 2018, we can find him on Radio Classique in Franck Ferrand raconte which in the first week became the most downloaded programme in France. After presenting some 50 editions of L’Ombre d’un doute on France 3, he now appears every week alongside Michel Drucker in Vivement dimanche. In the last 20 years, Franck Ferrand has given literally hundreds of talks on every continent.
Language spoken: French
Please note English-speaking lecturer will also be onboard.
Photo credit: Sylvain DUMAIS
Michel Dancoisne-Martineau
Michel Dancoisne-Martineau was born on December 5, 1965 in Voyennes in the Somme (France). He studied agriculture, which he interrupted with an extended stay on St. Helena island.
He did his military service in the 519th Logistics Regiment in 1986/87. At the end of 1987, he was contracted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as accountant, administrator and conservator and then director of French nationals properties located in St Helena (South Atlantic). In 1990, his contract was renewed with the appointment as Honorary Consul. Since then, without interruption, every three years, he has been reappointed.
Since 1995, in addition to his duties as a director, he has been conducting scientific projects and historical research for various private and public organisations. He publishes articles in various English, American and French trade journals. Among other publications, he is the director of the publication "Sainte-Hélène, île de Mémoire" published by Fayard in Paris in 2005, the author of "Chroniques de Sainte-Hélène, atlantique sud" published by Perrin in Paris in 2011, of "Je suis le gardien du tombeau vide" by Flammarion in 2017. He was one of the two curators of the Napoleon exhibition on St. Helena held at the Invalides in 2016. Since then, he has devoted himself as author and editor of a bilingual (English/French) 12-volume series on Napoleon on St Helena under the generic title "St Helena, the Pitfall of the Empire" (to date 5 volumes have been completed).
He is a knight of the national orders of the Legion of Honour and Merit as well as of the Arts and Letters. He was also made an Honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Languages spoken: French, English
Photo credit: David Bordes
Peter Hicks
Peter Hicks is an historian of the Napoleonic period and International Affairs manager at the Foundation Napoleon, Paris. He was Visiting Professor at the University of Bath (UK) (2008-2018) and is an Honorary Fellow of the Institute on Napoleon and the French Revolution, Florida State University, US. He also is professor at the Institute Catholic des Études Supérieures (ICES) La Roche-sur-Yon. His recent books include – (ed.), Emmanuel de Las Cases, Le Mémorial de Sainte Hélène: Le manuscript retrouvé, critical edition, with presentation and commentary with Thierry Lentz, François Houdecek and Chantal Prevot, Perrin 2017, (ed.) La bataille de Waterloo: symbole de victoire, de défaite et lieu de mémoire/Battle of Waterloo: Introductions to the Lectures and After-Thoughts – in English, (Les éditions de la Belle alliance, 2015) and The Napoleonic Empire and the New European Political Culture, with Michael Broers and Agustin Guimera, (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012).
His current publication projects include: joint-editor of volume 3 of Cambridge History of the Napoleonic Wars, (CUP 2020), a selection of British witnesses to Napoleon on St Helena (Perrin 2020). He also a musician. Recent Napoleonic projects include the creation, organization and performance of a week-long Festival of Napoleonic and Georgian music on the island of St Helena (May 2019) (concerts, recital, singing day) and a concert of Napoleonic music, Hôtel des Invalides, Paris, 24 May 2018 (choir, soloists and orchestra). His upcoming Napoleonic musical projects include: a Napoleonic recital (piano and voice), Savile Club, London, February 2020, and the creation, organization and conducting of two concerts of famous and rare Napoleonic music, Hôtel des Invalides, February 2021 (choir, soloists and orchestra).
Spoken languages: French, English
Photo credit: J-P Pouteau / Apprentis d'Auteuil 2013
Thierry Lentz
Thierry Lentz has been director of the Napoleon Foundation since June 2000, and responsible for the course on Consulate and Empire at the Catholic Institute of Higher Education (La Roche-sur-Yon) since 2012 in the Napoleon Chair created by this private university. He is one of those behind the publication of Correspondance générale de Napoléon (15 volumes) and a major restoration of French estates associated with Napoleon on St Helena, completed in 2015. Today, he also manages the non-profit organisation that runs these estates (St Helena Napoleonic Heritage Ltd).
Thierry Lentz has published around 30 books on the Napoleonic period (and other subjects) including the Nouvelle histoire du Premier Empire in four volumes (Fayard, 2002-210). His latest work is Bonaparte n’est plus ! Le monde apprend la mort de Napoléon, Perrin, 2019.
For his many works as an historian, he was awarded the Paul-Michel Perret Prize in 1993 by the Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques which in 2018 also awarded him the Charles-Aubert Prize for the body of his work. In 2013 he received the Guizot Prize from the Académie Française.
Language spoken: French
Photo credit: ARR
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Franck Ferrand
An historian by training (EHESS), author of a dozen books on history – including Versailles après les rois (Perrin), L’Histoire interdite (Tallandier), François Ier, roi de chimères (Flammarion) and Dictionnaire amoureux de Versailles (Plon), and the successful saga La Cour des Dames – Franck Ferrand has emerged over the years as one of our leading “history messengers”.
For 15 years, he has hosted historic rendezvous on Europe 1, including the famous daily slot Au cœur de l’histoire. Since September 2018, we can find him on Radio Classique in Franck Ferrand raconte which in the first week became the most downloaded programme in France. After presenting some 50 editions of L’Ombre d’un doute on France 3, he now appears every week alongside Michel Drucker in Vivement dimanche. In the last 20 years, Franck Ferrand has given literally hundreds of talks on every continent.
Language spoken: French
Please note English-speaking lecturer will also be onboard.
Photo credit: Sylvain DUMAIS
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
For men:
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
For men:
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
HEALTH CARE:
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Embarkation 14/10/2023 from 15:30 to 16:30
Departure 14/10/2023 at 17:30
On the tip of the African continent, the buzzing capital of Senegal stretches along the narrow peninsula of Cape Verde. You may be overwhelmed by its sheer size, but Dakar will win you over with its richly diverse districts, appealing cultural scene and rich natural surroundings. In the historic centre, you'll enjoy the pell-mell of colours and tasty delights in Kermel market. Far from the effervescence of the city, Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as a place of remembrance, having once been a slave trade outpost. On the other side of the plateau, the wild Madeleine islands are protected by a national park.
Arrival 15/10/2023
Departure 18/10/2023
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Arrival 19/10/2023 early morning
Departure 19/10/2023 early evening
Lost in the heart of the Atlantic, this arid island with a lunar landscape is not as deserted as we may believe. Its position has made it a military base and strategic air bridge for the British and the Americans. The first garrison was established in 1815 to prevent any escape attempt by Napoleon, who was exiled nearly 1,000 kilometres away on the island of Saint Helena. The forts and barracks of the Royal Navy from those times can be visited. Intense marine biodiversity surrounds this island. It is one of the most important breeding sites for tropical marine birds and green turtles , which leave their footprints on the island’s magnificent beaches before heading to the Brazilian coastlines.
Arrival 20/10/2023
Departure 21/10/2023
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Arrival 22/10/2023 early morning
Departure 24/10/2023 mid afternoon
Nestling in the hollow of a volcanic valley, Jamestown retains the charm of a small English village in the tropics. A centre of Napoleonic legend, the French authorities preciously conserved evidence of the Emperor’s exile on the island, including the Briars and Longwood House pavilions, the “valley of the tomb” and Bertrand’s Cottage. Escorted to Saint Helena by the British aboard HMS Northumberland in 1815, Napoléon died there in 1821. Far removed from the arid hell he described in the memoirs dictated to his faithful companions, you will discover that this natural fortress offers a very diverse landscape, from steep cliffs to fertile lands covered with lush nature.
Arrival 25/10/2023
Departure 30/10/2023
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Arrival 31/10/2023 midday
Departure 01/11/2023 late evening
Famed for its colourful Carnival and now as host of the 2016 Summer Olympics, Brazilメs former capital is dubbed the モCity of Marvelsヤ by locals. You canメt help being astounded by the panorama that opens up to you from the summit of Corcovado, the rocky peak where the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer has stood for nearly a century. In downtown Rio historic monuments such as the National Museum of Fine Arts sit side-by-side with modernistic buildings such as the cathedral of São Sebastião. On the seafront, Atlântica Avenue runs alongside Copacabana Beach; enjoy a birdメs eye view from the cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain.
Arrival 02/11/2023 early morning
Departure 02/11/2023 late afternoon
To the South of Rio, you will discover the charming village of Paraty. Bathed in the emerald waters of the Ilha Grande Bay, surrounded by verdant hills and islets, it is one of the jewels of Brazil’s Costa Verde. Here, time seems to have stopped in the time of the conquistadors and their gold-laden galleons. You will love the splendour of Paraty’s heritage — its maze of paved streets, the historic beauty of its colonial houses, its baroque churches. Above all, you will be enchanted by its lively terraces where locals and visitors enjoy grilled fish accompanied by glasses of cachaça. It is, quite simply, a little taste of paradise on Earth!
Arrival 03/11/2023 early morning
Disembarkation 03/11/2023 at 07:00
Not far from São Paulo, Santos is one of Brazil’s most important and oldest cities. Founded by the Portuguese in 1546, this city in south-eastern Brazil established itself as the economic leader of the time thanks in particular to its coffee trade. However, Santos is far removed from the image we may have of huge port cities surrounded by vast hangars and maritime containers. Crossed by many small bays with emerald water, Santos is enchanting and invites all who venture into its small picturesque streets, whose dwellings still bear traces of its colonial past, on a journey back into time.
Event
Experience exceptional moments with PONANT during cruises specially designed to commemorate key historical events or in conjunction with the world’s leading arts establishments. Without a doubt, commemorating the bicentenary of Emperor Napoleon’s death where it happened in Saint Helena, attending a concert featuring the Opéra de Paris’ most beautiful voices or celebrating a host of other events in style and comfort aboard our luxurious ships constitutes an unforgettable experience.
35-year offer
35 years ago, Le Ponant, the company’s iconic flag-ship vessel, welcomed her very first guests on a journey to discover exclusive destinations. To celebrate 35 years of sailing, exploration and discoveries at sea, we are offering you an additional 10% savings for 35 days on more than 200 departures when you book by 5 July 2023!
To take advantage of the 35th-anniversary offer and all your benefits, we invite you to contact your cruise advisors or your travel agency by phone or email, and mention the offer code PONANT35.
Offer available from 1 June 2023 to 5 July 2023 with code « PONANT35 » - Discount of 10% for the thirty-fifth anniversary of PONANT.
Offer non retroactive and subject to availability. Offer non combinable with Flight credit offers, Free Single supplement, Webinar, Onboard sale or Ponant event discounts.
The price displayed doesn't take into account the 35 years offer of -10%.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
03/11/2023 - TRANSFER FROM THE PIER OF SANTOS TO SAO PAULO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
300 €
Find out more13/10/2023 - FLIGHTS FROM/TO PARIS + DAKAR AND GORÉE, THE MEMORY ISLAND 1N (PRE) + TRANSFER FROM THE PIER OF SANTOS TO SAO PAULO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (POST)
2.125 €
Find out more
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 - Dakar
Meet at Dakar Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to the Pullman Dakar Teranga 5* (about 1: 30 drive).
Check-in in your room.
The end is the day is at leisure.
Day 2 - Dakar - Gorée Island
After you breakfast, you will take the direction to the pier to embark on board the ferry for the 25-minute crossing until Gorée island.
Your day will be spent visiting the evocative Gorée Island. Just three kilometres from Dakar, this little island is a haunting reminder of 350 years of the slave trade. Indeed, it was the biggest holding centre for slaves brought in from all over West Africa and has become a symbol and UNESCO World Heritage site.
From Dakar port, take the ferry for the 25-minute crossing. The visit is on foot starting at the House of Slaves, the most visited museum in Senegal which still evokes the poignant reality of one of the darkest periods in the history of the world. You then walk up to the Castle on a rocky plateau covered in fortifications, a reminder of the wars fought between Europeans (English, French, Portuguese and Dutch) to gain control of the island. The Castle offers a fine panoramic view of Dakar. You then cross the island via the market and colourful, picturesque streets.
Not far from the pier, the lunch will be served at a private mansion with local architecture. You will enjoy the famous national dish called "ceebu jën" (thiébou diène) recently included by UNESCO in the list of intagible of humanity. Then depending on time, you will enjoy time at leisure for local artcraft shopping before catching the ferry back to Dakar.
Back to Dakar, you will be transferred to the pier, to embark on board your ship.
Your hotel:
Overlooking the bay of Dakar, the Pullman Dakar Teranga 5* hotel immerses you in a contemporary atmosphere combining comfort and modernity. Located in the business district and at only 10 minutes from the port where the ferry to Gorée starts, this hotel is an excellent starting point to mix relaxation and discovery as well as to live the experience of the Senegalese Teranga (hospitality). Its Premium sea view rooms are spacious (30 m²) and fully-equipped. Depending on time, you will enjoy the swimming pool, the Pullman Spa and the lounge and "arty" dining area.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotel:
Pullman Dakar Teranga
10, Rue Colbert, Place de L’indépendance
BP 3380 DAKAR
SENEGAL
Telephone number: (+221) 3 3889 22 00
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : 695 €
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between your port of disembarkation and the airport.
Santos
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.
You will then be transferred to the international airport of Guarulhos in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
In the event of schedule changes of PONANT’s selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.
Total : 300 €
Total : 2.125 €