Beyond the Inhabited World

When Erik Le Rouge, the exiled Norse chief, landed on the coast of Nuuk, he found a fertile and welcoming land dotted with fjords. He settled there with a group of his former countrymen, and the Norse remained the principal inhabitants until, over a period of 500 years, their population declined and gave way to the Inuit. Nuuk is situated at the mouth of one of the largest networks of fjords in the world, where the waters never freeze.

The town spreads gently out towards the Davis Strait and enjoys an historic center that is particularly rich in national heritage. The vivid reds, blues, greens and yellows of the houses are a lively contrast to the somber waters of Greenland and serve to lift the spirits of the locals during the Winter months.

Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts.

Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let us discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal to us.

Well beyond the Arctic Circle, in the majestic landscapes of Greenland’s Northwest, you will find the village of Kullorsuaq, the last bastion of Greenland’s traditional hunters. Here is where you will find Greenland’s true character… Vast mineral expanses, sumptuous mountains, impressive glaciers and, above all, the local population which still lives off fishing and seal or bear hunting.

Hospitality and respect for nature are essential elements in the daily lives of these men, who live an austere life. When we drop anchor in this remote part of the world, set off to discover these friendly people who are also talented craftsmen, deftly sewing the furs and skins of marine mammals. This will be a unique and authentic experience.

In the icy waters of Baffin Bay, you will sail into the heart of the scattered sea floe. You will be captivated by icebergs in dreamlike shapes as your ship takes you into the ice of the Far North. Everything comes in shades of white here and, if you watch closely, you may get a glimpse of the lord of this kingdom, the polar bear. This fascinating animal finds its food in the heart of the ice, so this is where you have more chances of spotting it. The polar light gives a shine to the ice floe that you sail along as you explore Baffin Bay, leaving you with memories of unforgettable moments.

In the heart of the Arctic, nestling at the entrance to the Robertson fjord, this region shelters Siorapaluk, the world’s northernmost hamlet, home to a few dozen souls, where you will be immersed in secular Inuit traditions. In this extreme location, located above 77° N, hunting and community life set the pace of the polar year. You will set off to encounter this ancestral community and enjoy a cultural experience focused on daily life: discovering traditional hunting and fishing techniques, taking dog sled rides and going on polar hikes.

A natural waterway separating northwestern Greenland from Canada, the Nares Strait runs for several hundred kilometres between the Arctic ocean and Baffin Bay. Sailing at the entrance to this endless white environment, rarely used by ships in this season, you will discover little-known panoramas and fully experience the extreme isolation of the Far North. In this icy desert where absolute silence reigns, only disturbed by the mysterious cracking of the ice floe, keep your eyes peeled! You may get a glimpse of the Lord of the Arctic, the polar bear.

Nestling between northwestern Greenland and Ellesmere Island (Canada), Pikialasorsuaq - ‘the place that never freezes’ - is the largest polynya in the Arctic. This area of open water remains free of ice even in the depths of winter, playing a veritable role as an oasis in the heart of the ice floe.

A source of life and a strategic hunting ground for Inuit societies for thousands of years, the polynya shelters an exceptional ecosystem in which life develops quickly, nourished by the light. In the heart of this rich yet fragile Arctic sanctuary, you will perhaps be lucky enough to observe some of the emblematic polar fauna: narwhals and belugas, seals, walruses and seabirds...and, maybe, a polar bear!

Baffin Bay, a vast body of water between Greenland and Canada's Baffin Island, is a crucial Arctic marine environment known for its dramatic ice-scapes and abundant wildlife. The bay serves as a seasonal home to narwhals, belugas, and bowhead whales, making it a prime spot for whale watching. Additionally, its remote ice floes provide resting grounds for seals and are frequented by roaming polar bears.

Traversing Baffin Bay offers visitors the chance to experience the stark beauty of the Arctic, with opportunities for observing these majestic animals in their natural settings. The journey through Baffin Bay not only showcases spectacular glacial scenery but also offers insights into the challenges facing these fragile ecosystems amidst changing climatic conditions.

When Erik Le Rouge, the exiled Norse chief, landed on the coast of Nuuk, he found a fertile and welcoming land dotted with fjords. He settled there with a group of his former countrymen, and the Norse remained the principal inhabitants until, over a period of 500 years, their population declined and gave way to the Inuit. Nuuk is situated at the mouth of one of the largest networks of fjords in the world, where the waters never freeze.

The town spreads gently out towards the Davis Strait and enjoys an historic center that is particularly rich in national heritage. The vivid reds, blues, greens and yellows of the houses are a lively contrast to the somber waters of Greenland and serve to lift the spirits of the locals during the Winter months.