The iconic three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant is the historical heart of the Ponant fleet. Built in 1991 and extensively refitted in 2022, this luxurious vessel offers a truly intimate experience, carrying only 32 guests in 16 staterooms and suites with 34 crew members, ensuring highly personalized service. The ship's unique draw is its ability to sail under wind power, combining traditional seafaring elegance with modern sustainability efforts. Onboard, guests enjoy gourmet dining, a marina platform for water sports (snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking), a small spa, and expansive sun decks for relaxing and admiring the vast sail area. 

Le Ponant primarily operates in the Mediterranean and Seychelles, calling at small ports and secluded bays inaccessible to larger ships, offering guests an exclusive, yacht-style scenic cruise focused on getting close to nature and coastal beauty.