Islands and Cities of the North Atlantic

Bordeaux, a jewel of southwestern France, offers cruise travellers a delightful mix of historical charm and modern vibrancy. Start your visit at Place de la Bourse, where the Water Mirror beautifully reflects the grandeur of 18th-century architecture. Stroll along the Garonne River, taking in the scenic views and the buzz of local life.

For a taste of Bordeaux's world-renowned wine, visit the Cité du Vin, an interactive museum dedicated to wine culture. Don’t miss the gothic masterpiece of Saint-André Cathedral or the bustling Capucins Market, perfect for sampling local delicacies.

A seaside resort whose architecture blends Belle Époque and modernism, Royan offers a quiet port of call on the Atlantic Coast. Its wide beaches, its covered market and its retro villas are as appealing as its prime position: ideal for discovering some of the region’s treasures, such as the island of Oléron and its famous oysters, Talmont-sur-Gironde, one of the most beautiful villages in France, or the iconic port city of La Rochelle.

Saint-Nazaire has a rich and varied heritage that is simultaneously urban, maritime, industrial and military. Its preserved coastline, mixing beaches and lush cliffs, rubs shoulders with an industrial façade opening onto the Loire estuary, which is home to impressive shipyards that are renowned around the world for the construction of gigantic ships. Recently labelled a “Town of Art and History”, Saint-Nazaire asserts its singular identity, at the crossroads of nature and industry, history and innovation, charming visitors with each discovery. It also offers privileged access to other jewels of the Pays de la Loire region, such as the medieval town of Guérande, Nantes or the Brière Regional Natural Park.

Welcome to the Quiberon peninsula in the Morbihan, Brittany's wild and contrasting landscape. On the Atlantic Ocean side, you will see stretches of wild coastline with rugged, windswept cliffs, and on the Quiberon Bay side, long sandy beaches overlooking emerald waters. Port Haliguen, a ten-minute walk from Quiberon, is a marina that has retained all its charms of yesteryear.

Nestling in the hollow of a pretty bay in the Finistère department which smells nicely of sea spray, Douarnenez bears both its Breton identity and its reputation as an important sardine port as a source of pride. The surrounding grandiose nature, with its wild coastlines and fine sandy beaches, offers a fine setting with the crystal-clear waters of the ocean. You’ll enjoy a walk to take in the atmosphere of its lively quays and discover fishermen's houses of picturesque charm as you stroll through its small streets. You’ll then visit Locronan, listed as one of “the most beautiful villages of France". The granite city, with its fine Renaissance-era houses, found fame as a setting for the films Tess, by Roman Polanski, and Chouans!, by Philippe de Broca.

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 centre is brimming with relics from the past: the magnificent granite mansions of shipowners, the Notre-Dame-de-Croaz-Batz gothic 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 centre in marine biology and oceanography, the Station Biologique de Roscoff.

Located on the Brittany Coast and built on a rock at the mouth of the River Rance, Saint-Malo's roots go back to before Roman times. Surrounded by tall granite walls, this fortified city was superbly rebuilt to its original style after 80% of it was destroyed in WWII. Small ships can dock at the this port, while large ships will anchor offshore.

Top Things to Do in Saint-Malo:

• walk the beach to Fort National
• visit the UNESCO listed Mont Saint-Michel
• tour the medieval village of Dinan
• stroll along the cities ramparts

St. Peter Port, the capital of Guernsey and the main port of the island, is home to over 800 years of history. The town overlooks the harbour, with cobblestone streets, rows of brightly painted houses and terraced gardens. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to Albert Pier.

Top Things to Do in St. Peter Port:

• shop at the National Trust of Guernsey
  
• visit Victor Hugo’s home
• explore the royal fortress of Castle Cornet
• visit the German Occupation Museum and Underground Hospital
  

Scattered 30 miles offshore from England’s most south-westerly point, the Isles of Scilly are home to rich wildlife, and green land sloping to powdery white beaches.

St. Mary's is the biggest of the isles and is one of only five occupied islands. Isolated and serene, life here hums along at its own pace and the locals enjoy the UK’s mildest climate, and some of its most spectacular beaches.

Look our for Atlantic seals and seabirds like puffins and fulmars along the coastline. Visitors can also spot the ghostly shipwrecks strewn around the island's waters.

Situated on the south-west coast of England, it seems that Dartmouth is a town that time forgot. Pretty pastel painted houses dating from the medieval times flank the idyllic port, while the enchanting jumble of streets only add to the quiet authenticity of this, very English, seaside town. Ships will anchor offshore and tender guests to dock.

Top Things to Do in Dartmouth:

• visit Greenway, Agatha Christie's mansion
• hike the Dart Valley Trail system
• cruise up the River Dart
• visit Slapton Sands and the WWII memorial

Anchor offshore and tender directly into the heart of Cowes, a charming town renowned for its sailing heritage. Explore Cowes' bustling High Street, filled with nautical boutiques, quaint cafes, and galleries.

Dive into the town's maritime history and vibrant sailing scene, or pay a visit to the Cowes Castle, home to the prestigious Royal Yacht Squadron.

For those keen to venture beyond Cowes, the island is home to iconic landmarks such as the Needles, Osborne House, and Queen Victoria’s summer residence, approximately 20 minutes away.

The Isle of Wight is a compact yet diverse destination, with picturesque landscapes, historic sites, and coastal walks, all within a short journey from Cowes.

The quintessential French seaside town of Honfleur is an artists dream with its half-timbered houses along cobblestone lanes and bright wooden fishing boats lining its waterfront. Located in scenic Normandy, where the Seine opens out into the Channel, it is one of France's most spectacular, historic harbours. Ships will dock at the Port of Honfleur.

Top Things to Do in Honfleur:

• go to Omaha Beach, the D-Day landing site
• see the 15th-century St. Catherine's Church
  
• meander the Old Harbour of Honfleur
• spend the day in Paris