Experience Canada’s French Culture With Holland America
Calling all Francophiles! From remote coastal outposts to grand cities, French culture and heritage are thriving in Canada. Explore historical sites and taste mouthwatering cuisine imbued with French Canadian heritage on a Canada & New England cruise with Holland America.
Holland America’s perfectly sized ships allow you to experience some of Canada & New England’s most spectacular waterways and ports with more unique itineraries than any other cruise line. Zuiderdam and Volendam can both navigate the breathtaking St. Lawrence River, and Volendam is one of the only cruise ships that can take you all the way to the charmingly European—yet distinctly Canadian—city of Montréal.
Cruise to Montréal
Experience North America’s culinary capital, where you’ll find everything from high-end French cuisine to the locally beloved poutine. Did you know that Montréal is home to the second-highest number of restaurants per capita in North America (after New York City)?
But this unique urban mélange is no second fiddle—Montréal’s multicultural mosaic can be seen, heard, and felt in every lively festival, bustling market, and cobblestone side street.
Established in 1642, Montréal’s French immigrants brought their style, culture, and cuisine with them to shape the city. Explore the old and the new highlights of the city including:
- Mount Royal: The mountain overlooking the city and source of its name
- Downtown Montréal: Elegant boutiques, department stores, and shopping complexes
- Old Montréal: Historical area with enchanting architecture
- Notre Dame Basilica: Beautifully ornate interior with European charm
Ready to experience Canada’s French influences? Book cruises to Canada and New England!
Visit Saint Pierre & Miquelon by Ship
South of Newfoundland, you’ll find the eight-island archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, which is a self-governing territorial overseas collectivity of France. The fewer than 6,000 residents are all French citizens. It’s an authentic slice of Europe in North America!
Stroll cobblestone streets, visit the historic cathedral, and explore the Heritage Museum in a former Prohibition-era smuggler’s building. See all the highlights accompanied by vivid stories that bring history to life on a guided walking tour of Saint Pierre. It’s one of the best ways to enjoy the authentically French charm that makes this destination so unique.
Québec City on a Holland America Cruise
Just a short fifteen-minute walk from where you disembark your ship in Québec City, you’ll step into historic Old Québec. This UNESCO World Heritage Site frames the St. Lawrence River with beautiful French colonial architecture. Wander the only remaining walled city north of Mexico and experience 400 years of Québecois history.
More than 95 percent of Québec City’s population speaks French as its first language, though it’s easy to sightsee and navigate the city in English. As you tour the museums and historic sights of Québec City that celebrate Québecois history and dine at restaurants that serve its distinctive cuisine, you’ll discover a remarkable culture that has survived and thrived into the 21st century.
Cruise to Canada & New England
Ready to immerse yourself in Canada’s unique French heritage and Québecois culture? Plus, visit charming lighthouses, explore up to five national parks, and dine on fresh regional seafood on the way? Say oui, and book your Canada & New England cruise today.
