Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

Between the Montjuic hills and Tibidabo mountain, Barcelona blends history with modern design. This vibrant city showcases Roman ruins, medieval quarters, and striking 20th-century architecture. Explore works by renowned artists like Picasso, Miró, and Gaudí, many recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Walk along the lively Ramblas and experience the relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere of Catalonia’s capital.

Sete, known as the "Venice of Languedoc" for its network of canals, is a seaside town famous for its beaches and vibrant arts scene. It also serves as a gateway to the Occitanie region’s cultural and historical landmarks. Visit Nîmes to see its well-preserved Roman Amphitheater and the elegant 18th-century Jardins de la Fontaine. Nearby, Narbonne offers the impressive Palais des Archevêques and an Archaeological Museum, while Carcassonne captivates with its UNESCO-listed medieval citadel.

The oldest harbor in France, Marseille is the city where PONANT has chosen to set up its company headquarters. Heart vibrating in its setting of Mediterranean Calanques, it reveals its raw and authentic beauty, made up of a thousand influences and cultures which, over the centuries, have made up its wealth. A stroll through the Old Port will allow you to discover the places corresponding to the city founded by the Greeks as well as Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica, with its astonishing neo-Byzantine architecture, which overlooks it. Close to the quays, the Place de Leche, which covers the ancient agora, will be perfect for a break in one of its lively cafés before melting into the maze of narrow streets with colorful houses in the Panier district, just a stone's throw away.

Capital of the Cote d’Azur, Nice is surrounded by an amphitheater of hills and mountains that protects it from the wind. You will probably want to explore the Promenade des Anglais, where you can sit on one of the famous blue chairs laid out opposite the Baie des Anges. Château hill is also a very pleasant place to walk. This is the entrance to the old city, with its bustling markets and regional products along the main street, the Cours Saleya.

The resort town of Santa Margherita Ligure is ideally situated about halfway between Genoa to the northwest and the famed fishing villages of Cinque Terre to the southeast. Santa Margherita itself was an original archetype of the Italian Riviera resort, its Grand Hotels catering to the wishes of the rich and famous (think Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh) who flocked here in the mid-20th century. Still a busy resort, it has yielded pride of place to other nearby seaside towns like Portofino, with which it shares a small peninsula, and Rapallo to the north.

Located on the magnificent chiseled coast of Liguria, to the northwest of the Italian peninsula, Portovenere is an unusual little fishing village. Clinging to the southernmost tip of the Cinque Terre National Park, this charming town benefits from an exceptional location, at the mouth of the Gulf of La Spezia. As soon as you set foot on land, you will be mesmerized by the pastel shades of the buildings. Via Capellini is its lively and welcoming main street, brimming with shops and restaurants. At the end of a long promenade, a steep road leads to Doria Castle. Below, on its rocky spur, the Church of Saint Peter offers a splendid view of Palmaria Island.

On the Ligurian coast, Livorno invites us to Tuscany, a charming region offering archaeological vestiges, Renaissance treasures, undulating landscapes and a pleasant way of life. When the Medicis arrived in the 16th century they developed the city, which became one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean. Cosmopolitan and multireligious, Livorno has welcomed many immigrants and is a wonderful example of cultural diversity. Built during that period, Fortezza Vecchia and Fortezza Nuova attest to the city’s power. At the foot of the new fort, Nuova Venezia is an enchanting district with small canals and streets to stroll along to discover a few architectural treasures, such as the magnificent Santa Caterina da Siena church in the Tuscan Baroque style.

The spectacular town of Bonifacio located on the very tip of southern Corsica clings to a narrow promontory of white rock overhanging the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. You can admire its limestone cliffs hewn out by the wind, before setting off on a cultural tour of its cultural treasures. From the little paved streets in the ancient Haute Ville to the promenade on the open-air medieval chemin de ronde, this stunning town will take you on a journey back in time. Frequented or secluded, there are numerous beaches to choose from, all in keeping with the high standards of the “Île de Beauté”.

Built on an Etruscan site, between the Tyrrhenian sea and the Monti della Tolfa, Civitavecchia respires the dolce vita. This very modern and easy-going town combines art and history with panache. You can also visit superb historical sites like Fort Michelangelo or the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi. Just 80 kilometers from Rome, the town is a beautiful first step to the Italian capital.