Overview

TRANSFER + FLIGHT PARIS/KEMI

In partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE, and with featured guests Augustin Dumay , violinist and conductor and Alain Duault.

Kid Explorers Club in partnership with MAUD FONTENOY FOUNDATION.

It’s raining stars in our bed. This sensitive evocation of the Arctic night, which is the title of Scandinavian poetry collection published by Gallimard, invites us to the best seats in the house to watch the union between the vault of heaven and the earth’s crust, beneath a multitude of stars.

Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a refined and warm cocoon, experience winter at the gateway to the Arctic, and discover a magical world in half-light. In the same way as the day, fleeting at this time, enhances the beauty of nature, the night awakens the poetry of this region.

From the uninterrupted outside promenade deck and the Blue Lagoon pool, marvel at the unique spectacle of the Gulf of Bothnia in winter. Celebrate the holiday season in the heart of enchanting landscapes, illuminated Scandinavian cities, little-known archipelagos, snow-capped peaks or boreal forests in Lapland. Enjoy your sensorial discovery of these festive traditions, between the bracing freshness of the season and the warmth of Scandinavian culture.

You will set sail towards the Stockholm archipelago. Hundreds of rocky islets will reveal themselves as you sail across the water, beneath the subtle glow of the winter skies. The holiday period is perfect for family gatherings and exudes a magical atmosphere, creating joyous moments aboard, in the Scandinavian towns that are illuminated in the precocious night or in the Santa Claus Village of Rovaniemi. Among the woody scents and traditional singing, the lively Christmas market stalls offer artisanal creations, delicious cinnamon and ginger biscuits, and the famous glögg, a spicy mulled wine, in a convivial atmosphere.

From the sumptuous panoramic lounge of your ship and on shore, the Gulf of Bothnia reveals itself with each port of call chosen. Between cultural heritage and urban planning suited to the climate, the wild panoramas give way to charming cities beneath the timid daylight. Take the time to observe the natural splendours of the High Coast, as you sail in this archipelago located in northern Sweden. Observe the snow-covered scenery of Lapland and Finland, from their untamed shores to the northern forest. You will be amazed by these preserved territories and experience the intense pleasure of hiking among immaculate expanses; enjoy, from a child’s eye view, merry moments in the midst of winter and feel the exhilaration of an outing on a snowmobile, dog sled or reindeer sled. And if luck is on your side, you will be able to admire the fleeting splendour of the Northern Lights, an unexpected gift from the sky.

“Christmas isn’t a season, it’s a state of mind.” Like this saying, experience a fairytale epic for children and adults alike, and celebrate the wonders of winter together.

The itinerary is subject to modifications. On board, the sailing programme, outings and activities cannot be guaranteed and are subject to weather conditions.

Trip Highlights

In partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE, with an exceptional musical line-up and Alain Duault.
Kid Explorers Club in partnership with MAUD FONTENOY FOUNDATION.
A brand-new PONANT journey in the Gulf of Bothnia in the heart of the splendid northern winter, a exploration of this Scandinavian region through its singular history and its stunning natural landscapes.
Outings and shore visits with a team of naturalist-guides.
Experience the New Year celebrations with your family and savour the enchantment of Scandinavian traditions during the winter period.
The snow-covered landscapes of Swedish and Finnish Lapland, to the north of the Gulf of Bothnia.
Discover the magic of the Christmas markets and the wonderland of Scandinavian towns illuminated for the winter, which is not a traditionally touristic season..
Towns with exceptional heritage: the old town of Rauma; the church-town of Gammeltad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (visiting from Lulea); and the neoclassical city of Oulu.
Activities during the unique winter season: an outing on snowshoes, dog sled*, reindeer sled* or snowmobile*, a lantern-lit walk, ice fishing*, children’s activities*, Christmas markets, a visit to the Santa Claus Village of Rovaniemi, and much more.
Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, a warm and refined cocoon opening to the exteriorenjoy a unique experience in complete communion with the surrounding scenery.
Sailing in the High Coast archipelago, a natural wonder in northern Sweden and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An unforgettable cruise among the skerries of the Stockholm archipelago and an overnight stay moored opposite the old town.
Varied landscapes, archipelagos, coastal panoramas, boreal forests, snow-covered peaks and expanses (in the north of Sweden and Finland), home to reindeer and seabirds.

Day 1 :

KEMI

Kemi reveals itself in the Gulf of Bothnia as, from the snow-covered shores of Finnish Lapland, you enjoy the pleasures of winter. The ephemeral snow castle will welcome you in an enchanted icy setting, and the bracing air will take hold of you during a snowmobile outing or a sled trip, pulled by huskies or reindeer – your choice. Around a hundred kilometres (60 miles) towards the North, on the mythical line of the Arctic Circle, the Santa Claus Village of Rovaniemi offers a magical discovery from a child’s eye view. In the heart of these preserved landscapes, the Scandinavian culture has been forged since the Stone Age, between the History and the traditions of the people of the Far North.

Day 2 :

KEMI

Day 3 :

OULU

The bells are ringing, the snowflakes are whirling around in the air and the lights are illuminating the charming city of Oulu - the largest town in the north of Scandinavia, located 150 km (93 miles) from the Arctic Circle. On the edge of the Oulujoki River, the market square (Kauppatori) will tempt you with its stalls. The wooden houses that are home to cafés and restaurants make for reassuring refuges. Around you, the white kingdom awaits, with its snow-covered beaches and the promise of fabulous sunsets. Choose to go snowshoeing or on a nature excursion and become aware that you are breathing the purest air in Europe. Enter the tranquillity of the forest and familiarise yourself with Scandinavia’s emblematic animal, the reindeer, of course, during a visit to a farm.

Day 4 :

LULEA

Tucked away at the back of the Gulf of Bothnia, Lulea is the perfect departure point for exploring Swedish Lapland. Among the excursion opportunities, you will be able to go deep into the forest on a snowmobile or on snowshoes to attempt to glimpse a moose or a black grouse. Unless, of course, you would prefer to enjoy some ice fishing on a frozen lake. The Lappish night often offers an unforgettable spectacle of stars. In Gammelstad, discover the best-preserved example of a unique type of settlement found in northern Scandinavia, the church-town. Wander through the alleyways of the old town by lantern light and observe its 424 brick-red houses constructed around the stone church, which dates back to the beginning of the 15th century. Used in the past on days of worship and on religious holidays by the faithful arriving from the surrounding countryside, they are still used today as pieds-à-terre by families during ecclesiastical events.

Day 5 :

AT SEA

The unrivalled comfort of Le Commandant Charcot makes it an ideal cocoon for your winter cruise. The interior spaces, opening wide out onto the exterior, were designed to let you easily reconnect with the surrounding landscapes. In the spa, you will be able to relax during long winter evenings. The Blue Lagoon, an outdoor pool heated thanks to an energy recovery system, the snow room, the detox bar and the uninterrupted outside promenade deck will enable you to make the most of the pure air, at every opportunity. Finally, you will have the opportunity to take part in more educational moments during conferences.

Day 6 :

RAUMA

Stretching for 500 km (310 miles), the western coast of Finland is dotted with historic towns founded at the height of the Swedish Empire. Rauma, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, tells part of this exciting history. The old town is built around a Franciscan monastery, the remains of which are the Church of The Holy Cross dating back to the middle of the 15th century. Stroll the streets and alleyways of this medieval city and discover an exceptionally well-preserved example of traditional Nordic wood construction techniques. At the Marela Museum, a fine ship-owner’s home, you will dive into the town’s maritime and industrial history and be able to immerse yourselves in the day-to-day life of a wealthy 19th-century merchant.

Day 7 :

STOCKHOLM

Anchored opposite the old town, which shines brightly during this Advent period, you will be immersed in the unrivalled wonderland of Stockholm as it prepares for Christmas - Jul in Swedish. Singing and music resonate from the narrow and lit-up streets of the historic centre Gamla Stan. Share the Swedish enthusiasm for this time of the year and indulge in a hot glögg spicy mulled wine at the stalls of a Christmas market, amidst the aromas of cinnamon and ginger. In daylight hours, you will sail through the hushed decor of the Stockholm archipelago. A constellation of skerries – islets and reefs that rise to the surface of the water - stretches over fifty or so kilometres (30 miles) in the Baltic Sea. On the inhabited lands, bright red facades punctuate the blue-tinged landscape formed by the water and the sky.

Day 8 :

AT SEA

Day 9 :

HELSINKI

Seated in the southern peninsula of Finland, Helsinki offers the buzz of a cosmopolitan city that has opted for both elegance and beauty. In the historic centre, softly coloured neoclassical buildings mix with spectacular modern structures. The lively district of Kallio is home to many boutiques and restaurants offering local specialities such as graavilohi, pickled, sweetened and flavoured salmon. And the large Christmas craft market is the ideal place to unearth Finnish design items.