Northern Lights to the Polar Night - Le Commandant Charcot

Fly from Paris to tromso where you will be transferred to the pier on arrival to board Le Commandant Charcot.

In the north of the Arctic circle you'll discover Tromso, a secluded town located in the county of Troms. Norwegians call it the Paris of the north. You'll soon see why when you discover its extensive neoclassical architectural heritage. A stunning example is the Arctic cathedral, a major monument, whose stylistic purity echoes the outline of the mountains surrounding the town. Embark your ship in the afternoon.

Beyond the Arctic Circle, Alta, in the far north of Norway, is the biggest city in Finnmark county. Renowned for the beauty of its Northern Lights, the town will reveal itself in the hollow of the eponymous fjord, Altafjord. Between the forest scenery and immaculate landscapes, you will have the opportunity to experience unique moments meeting the Sami people, reindeer herders with ancestral traditions. Chasing the Northern Lights is also an activity on today's programme.

More time to discover and explore the cathedral city of Tromso.

Hammerfest, located on the north-western coast of the island of Kvaloya, beyond the 70th parallel north, is often considered the northernmost town in the world. Conserved in an immaculate natural setting, this charming fishing port enjoys a rich history, as is evidenced by various vestiges dating back to the Stone Age, Napoleonic wars or the Second World War. During your time here, you will have the opportunity to discover the Struve Geodetic Arc, a chain of triangulations stretching across Europe from Hammerfest to the Black Sea, and the first technical and scientific object to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Reconstruction Museum, meet the Sami people, or visit the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society, an emblematic spot in Hammerfest.

Halfway between Norway and Spitsbergen, you will sail not far from the coastlines of Bjornoya, the southernmost island of Svalbard. From your ship, observe this isolated piece of land discovered in 1596 by the Dutch navigator Willem Barents, while looking for the Northwest Passage. Following a tough fight between a polar bear and the members of the expedition, he dubbed the place Bear Island. Regularly covered by a thick layer of fog, Bjornoya shelters a meteorological station built in 1923, which is still in operation today.

Considered Spitsbergen's southernmost fjord, Hornsund is famous as one of the first places to have been visited in the region. In 1610, the British explorer Jonas Poole named it Hornsund, after one of the members of his crew brought him a reindeer antler. Shortly afterwards, the first whalers settled in the region and contributed to shaping its history. As you move deeper into this fjord, whose length reaches 30 kilometres , you will find yourselves immersed in the beauty of the surrounding mountains and in the glory of this gigantic glacier standing proudly before you.

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 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, give the feeling that you are amidst completely unexplored territory.

You will head towards the Bellsund fjord to follow the traces of the first explorers arriving from coastal Norway, or those of the many trappers who came here in search of game. Surprisingly rich in wildlife, the branches of the fjord separate to form two distinct valleys. Enjoy the serenity in the heart of this majestic natural environment, where time seems to stand still.

We travel back past the coastlines of Bjornoya. Declared a nature reserve in 2002, the island is above all, a home to an enormous colony of sea birds during the summer months.

If you feel like you have arrived at the end of the world in Honningsvag, it is because this is the case. Halfway between Oslo and the North Pole, it competes with Hammerfest for the status of the northernmost town in Continental Europe. Colourful houses light up this charming and typically Norwegian fishing port, nestled in the hollows of the region's mountainous terrain. Travellers come to stay in the village to go to the North Cape. At the end of the road, you will see the globe that indicates that you are at the very end of Europe. At this point, only the Svalbard archipelago separates you from the North Pole. There is sea as far as the eye can see and also plenty more; The Northern Lights, the view of the immense cliffs plunging into the sea and the thousands of puffins, gannets and cormorants that spin all around you.

The small Reinoya Island, measuring scarcely 3.35 km2, will welcome you for an unforgettable moment in the very heart of the Porsangerfjorden. Although this nature reserve is not very big, it boasts many treasures. Here, wild nature can be discovered in the greatest tranquillity. Contemplate the island's geology, rendered so particular by the whiteness of the dolomite, and the thousand-year-old traces of the last ice age during a hike or a Zodiac excursion.

Discover Lakselv, whose name means Salmon River, lying at the end of the immense Porsangerfjorden. As its name indicates, this small village is renowned for the salmon fishing in the waters of its river, which are brimming with this fish and many others. The village is ideally located, offering privileged access to the magnificent surrounding nature. In particular, it retains traces of the last ice age in Trollholmsund, where dolomites, with dreamlike silhouettes, can be seen - an extraordinary sight, not to be missed !

You will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Paris (flight time is approximately 5hr30)