In the Ice of the Arctic, from Greenland to Svalbard

Reykjavik, the vibrant capital of Iceland, offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Begin your day exploring the striking Hallgrímskirkja church, with its panoramic city views from the tower. Wander through the colorful streets of the Old Harbor, where you can find quirky shops, cozy cafes, and stunning views of Mount Esja.

Don't miss the Harpa Concert Hall, an architectural marvel on the waterfront, or a visit to the National Museum for a deep dive into Icelandic history. Recharge at one of Reykjavik's many geothermal pools, like the Blue Lagoon, just a short drive from the city. Wrap up your visit with a stroll along the scenic Sun Voyager sculpture, capturing the spirit of adventure and discovery.

Still almost unknown just a century ago, the east coast of Greenland remains the most authentic and majestic region. Here, the alpine mountains merge intimately with the sea, while the fjords are adorned with high snow-capped peaks and drifting icebergs.

Ammassalik is a small island of primitive and wild beauty where the Inuit people chose to live.

Tasiilaq, with its colourful houses, is the only settlement on the island and it offers wonderful hiking opportunities with beautiful views. Ships will anchor offshore and tender guests to the town.

Follow in the footsteps of Jules Poret de Blosseville, a French explorer and sailor. In 1833 he set off to discover this isolated and unexplored part of eastern Greenland and gave French names to various sites on the coast. The adventure had an unfortunate outcome, as the crew were never found.

This uninhabited territory, which now bears his name, lies to the south of Scoresby Sund. Surrounded by ice, icebergs and pieces of pack ice, Blosseville Coast is one of these wild and hard-to-reach places that very few people are lucky enough to explore.

Ittoqqortoormiit is one of the remotest inhabited places in the world. It is bordered to the south by the vast Greenland National Park, which, at 18,000km, is the largest national park in the world. To the northwest is the world’s deepest multi-branched fjord system, Scoresby Sound.

Covered with ice and snow for nine months of the year, you will be able to discover the ancestral way of life of the last hunters of the polar region. As soon as the thickness of the ice floe allows, they set out on the trail of walruses, seals, narwhals, musk ox and polar bears, travelling by traditional dog sleds.

Covering an area of around one million square kilometres, almost half the island, the North-East Greenland National Park, the largest national park in the world, is a particularly isolated region. Cut off for many months of the year by the ice floe, it is renowned for its pristine nature and rich wildlife.

The craggy coastline, formed by gigantic fjords, is 18,000 km in total and includes both the highest parts of the Northern Hemisphere’s largest ice cap and the world’s northernmost area of land.

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.

Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve, located in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, Norway, is one of Europe's largest nature reserves. This pristine wilderness is characterized by vast glaciers, polar deserts, and unique geological formations. The area is a crucial habitat for polar bears, walruses, and various seabird colonies.

Visitors can experience the raw beauty of the Arctic through guided tours, which may include hiking, kayaking, and boat trips. The reserve’s remote and untouched landscapes offer a rare glimpse into the polar environment, making it an ideal destination for adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts seeking solitude and natural beauty.

The Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve is the second largest protected area in Norway. Established in 1973, this nature conservation area stretching over more than 21,000 km2 will offer you stunning panoramas including coastal landscapes, rocky islets, mountain plateaux, vast tundra plains, and ice floes. With a little luck, you will be able to observe a wide variety of seabirds, given the site is listed as an Important Bird Area, as well as cetaceans, Svalbard reindeer, or even Arctic foxes. Among other things, Edgeoya Island is renowned for providing shelter to a number of polar bears during the breeding season.

Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.