From the St Lawrence to Greenland, the Last Moments of Winter

Off the Canadian coast, discover Saint Pierre Island, one of the two main islands of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago, the only French territory in North America. Endowed with a natural harbour, the island, whose name is a reference to the patron saint of fishermen, developed around the fishing industry and still has many traces of its past today. Whale hunting, cod fishing, alcohol smuggling during the Prohibition: all of these memories are still very much alive in the capital, Saint-Pierre. The island is also renowned for the observation of exceptional fauna including, among others, whales, fin whales, dolphins, seals, puffins and petrels.

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.

Scattered through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the Magdalen Islands offer a variety of extraordinary landscapes, between captivating drifting ice floe, tall red sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches covered with an immaculate coat and snow-covered valleys. Here, winter really is a special season, a time of contrasts and mysteries. The icy winds intertwine with the softness of the salty air, and the colourful houses, dressed in their finest attire, stand bravely in this enchanting scenery. In these distant lands, you will be plunged into Acadian culture, you will discover ancestral traditions here and will have the chance to explore the unique landscapes on hikes or snowshoe walks along the icy shores.

In the glacial darkness of the Canadian winter, Gaspé stands proud like a preserved and authentic jewel at the edge of the dark waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Nature seems to be holding its breath. The captivating Mount Jacques-Cartier, the highest point of the Chic-Choc Mountains range and the South, is dressed with an immaculate coat of snow, while the frozen rivers slowly wind their way, fixing time in their icy embrace. During a snowshoe walk, fall in love with the captivating landscapes of the L’Anse-au-Griffon Valley, right in the heart of the Forillon National Park. Then, in Percé, opposite the famous eponymous Rock, dive into the natural beauty of the “magic forest”, where thousands of conifers decked out in an immaculate white cloak are like silent guardians watching over this isolated piece of land. You may also fall in love with this charming town, where the exciting history and the conviviality of the locals come together in a delightful blend.

In the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the waters are still partially frozen but the ice break-up has begun. The broken-up ice makes for a fascinating spectacle, forming shapes that seem to be dancing across the waves. You will sail in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, following in the footsteps of Jacques Cartier, who reached it during his first voyage in 1534. From the bridge, if luck is on your side, you will contemplate the seals and belugas that populate the region during this season. In the distance, the boreal forests, their peaks whitened by the last snow, offer you the idealised image of this piece of Canada. A moment of indescribable magic.

At the mouth of the Humber River, on the Bay of Islands, you will discover the port of Corner Brook, surrounded by mountains. A thick layer of snow covers the hillsides that will welcome you, in their ski resort, for winter activities in a splendid setting. On the legendary island of Newfoundland, visit the territory by going snowshoeing or on a ski or snowboard trip at the renowned Marble Mountain Ski Resort. Or you could just decide to wander the streets of this authentic Newfoundlander town and discover its history. 

Sailing the Strait of Belle Isle will guarantee a moment of intense emotion. Your ship will enter this waterway, which separates Newfoundland from the North American continent, while the ice break-up is only just beginning its cycle. From the bridge, if the ice is still present, you will perhaps observe the Greenland seals which populate these waters dotted with fragments of ice floe, aiming to breed there. Time stands still, a magical spell is cast.

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.

Follow the Davis Strait currents and Qaqortoq, the largest town in southern Greenland, reveals itself in a rocky setting covered in immaculate white. The winter is slowly slipping away but the ice is still very present, providing a marvellous decor for the rare travellers exploring this place at this time of year. This charming fishing port, nestling within the fjord, can be seen from afar, with its delightful, brightly-coloured houses built upon the hillsides. During a hike, you will wander around the streets of the town centre, where you will recognise the Danish influences; it is home to numerous historical monuments, such as the country’s famous and oldest fountain, topped with whales. One of the uncontested highlights of this port of call will involve meeting the local community and discovering their spring traditions during a day of sharing.

Somewhere in the Greenlandic south-west, in the heart of the maze made up by the fjords and bays, the small village of Narsalik brightens up the Arctic white with its colourful houses. In this territory at the end of the world, you will set off to encounter the Inuit community for an unforgettable moment of sharing. Memories for life will be made during these winter activities, designed in partnership between PONANT and the inhabitants of Narsalik. The watchwords of this time spent together will be curiosity and discovery. 

At winter’s end, venture to the ice-covered shores of the Inuit village of Narsaq. The pioneering spirit and a taste for exploration will posses you as you progress towards this small, typically Greenlander commune. Nestling in the heart of majestic scenery, it will welcome you in a setting dominated by snowy mountains. The multicoloured façades of the houses offer a magical decor and will fill you with wonderment. You will visit the village, partake in polar treks and enjoy local performances, all of which will enable you to discover how these inhabitants live at the end of winter and help you absorb the Greenlandic philosophy.

In the Greenlandic municipality of Kujalleq, you will explore the Inuit village of Nanortalik. A few hundred kilometres from the southern tip of Greenland, it is one of the island’s southernmost locations. Fishing is the main economic resource for its inhabitants, with whom you will be able to share an unforgettable moment. While a coat of snow still covers the landscapes, enjoy winter activities and discover Inuit traditions.

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.

Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, a museum located on ’Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical centre where one can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Our navigation, mainly in the fjords, will be determined by the type of ice we come across; as the fast ice must be preserved, we will take this into account from day to day in our itineraries. The sailing programme, outings, activities and observation of fauna cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather and ice conditions. The experiences are unique and vary from day to day and for each departure. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while respecting safety instructions and regulations imposed by the AECO.