Explore to inspire, a PONANT podcast
PONANT's cruises
Located between the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Arctic Ocean, Canada’s landscapes are truly continental in their scale. The immense vistas are complemented by the local culture, which is shaped by the interplay of French-speaking and English-speaking traditions. A journey to Canada is an invitation to explore a land in which nature shapes both the landscapes and the way of life.
A land of open spaces
The second-largest country in the world after Russia, Canada covers an area of nearly 10 million km²: its vast territories are home to magnificent and diverse natural landscapes. The forests and Rocky Mountains of the west give way to the vast plains of the centre. The Great Lakes in the south are complemented by the tundra and the ice of Canada’s Far North. To the east, the peaceful banks of the St. Lawrence River contrastwith the jagged coastlines of the Maritime Provinces and their islands.
Cities with multiple cultural identities
Canadian cities offer a fascinating microcosm of the many identities that make up the country. With their French-speaking heritage, Québec and Montréal embody a way of life that blends European and North American cultures. Toronto and Vancouver exemplify Canada’s cosmopolitan character, in which people of different nationalities from all over the world live side by side. Not to mention the enduring traditions of indigenous communities, such as in the small town of Iqaluit in Nunavut, a territory with a predominantly Inuit population.
The Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse in Gaspé
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Typical Montreal townhouses
Québec City in winter
Snow-covered forest in the Saguenay Fjord
The vastness of Canada stretches its arms around you, embracing solitude and serenity.
Margaret Atwood, Canadian writer
Experience Canada at full scale
From coast to coast, Canada invites you to immerse yourself in the full power of nature, often spectacular and always inspiring. Watching whales, sharing the traditions of an indigenous people, exploring Arctic waters or marvelling at the colours of Indian summer: these are just some of the experiences that will lend your trip a touch of adventure.
Whale-watching in summer
From May to September, Canada’s coastline offers you the chance to admire some of the most impressive marine wildlife on the planet. From the mouth of the St. Lawrence to the shores of the Atlantic, from Nunavut to the Pacific, around thirty species of whale and cetacean (killer whale, grey whale, beluga, etc.) come to feed in these nutrient-rich waters. Watching for a fin to break the surface, or witnessing a humpback whale blow, are moments of unforgettable intensity.
Sail to the Northwest Passage
In Canada’s Far North, the Arctic waters of Nunavut mark the entrance to the Northwest Passage, the legendary sea route linking the Atlantic to the Pacific. Follow in the footsteps of the great explorers as you sail through straits, fjords and islands shaped by the ice. Making your way through the pack ice, you might spot a polar bear or a few belugas. It’s a journey that combines wildlife and landscapes of rare beauty.
Meet the Innu
An indigenous people who have lived for millennia near the boreal forests in the east of the Quebec–Labrador Peninsula, the Innu are one of the First Nations. Through your interactions with them, you’ll discover a culture that is deeply connected to nature. As you admire their craftsmanship and listen to their tales and legends or their stories of caribou hunting round a fire in a traditional tent, you’ll discover an ancestral part of Canada’s history.
Explore the St. Lawrence in winter
When the banks of the Saint Lawrence River are blanketed in their winter white, Canada reveals one of its most beautiful sides. Whether it’s a snowmobile trip through the forest, a snowshoe hike across the ice floes, a dog-sled ride in the Saguenay Fjord or a spot of ice fishing with a local guide, you’ll experience the full northern adventure, at one with the elements.
Marvel at the Indian summer on the Great Lakes
In southern Canada, on the border with the United States, the Great Lakes form the world’s largest body of fresh water. In autumn, a sailing trip on their calm waters or a walk along the paths that run alongside them offers a spectacular sight of nature ablaze with colour, adorned with a thousand shades of ochre and red. Enjoy these golden rays in a deeply contemplative atmosphere, as nature seems to offer its final burst of splendour before winter.
Area: 9.985 million km²
Population: 41,472,081
Capital: Ottawa, the seat of the federal government
Lake Huron in Ontario
Land of Lakes
Canada is the country with the largest number of lakes in the world. For example, it is home to 62 per cent of the 1.42 million lakes larger than 10 hectares.
Inuit woman from Victoria Island, Northwest Territories
Maple Sugar Season
Late winter is the time of year when maple sap is harvested in Quebec. Seize the chance to get together at the sugar shacks to enjoy traditional dishes, generously drizzled with maple syrup.
Arctic fox
