Nordic Sea Treasures

Set around a vast harbor, Brest faces the Iroise Sea and follows the Penfeld River through the city. The harbor supports French naval operations for centuries before evolving into a major commercial port and sailing marina. Walk along Quai Commandant Malbert to spot the schooner La Recouvrance and coastal lighthouses offshore. Visit Océanopolis to explore marine ecosystems and enter the naval museum inside Château de Brest. As a designated City of Art and History, Brest displays a mix of modernist, neoclassical, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco architecture.

Spend time at sea using the ship’s onboard facilities and activities. Relax in the spa, exercise in the fitness center, or enjoy the pool and open decks when conditions allow. Attend lectures or performances, browse the boutique, or meet the PONANT photographers. Step onto the upper decks to watch the ocean and spot passing marine life. This sea passage focuses on comfort, leisure, and onboard enrichment.

Located on the Flemish coastline, half way between France and the Netherlands, the elegant city of Ostend is a favourite summer destination for Belgians. You can enjoy the “queen of beaches”, a stretch of fine white sand punctuated by breakwaters, covered by the North Sea at high tide. The seafront boasts sumptuous facades from the Belle Epoque, such as Villa Maritza, which stands witness to this seaside town’s rich past. Art amateurs will enjoy the excellent Kunstmuseumaan Zee, where a retrospective of Belgian art dating from 1830 is on display.

Included Excursions

Historical Bruges
Duration : 5h00
Bruges (or Brugge in Flemish) is an exquisitely preserved medieval town. It had the good fortune to be linked with the sea by a navigable waterway, therefore the city became a leading member of the Hanseatic League in the 13th century, when the town established Europe's first stock exchange.
Upon arrival in Bruges a guided walk through the historical centre will introduce you to this beautiful, romantic city. During the walk, your guide will point out major sights such as the Market Square with its Guild houses and the Belfry Tower.

The Stadhuis, or Town Hall, dating from the 14th century, has a wonderfully ornate facade covered with statues, and the Oude Griffe, the former Recorder's House from the 1530's, is ornamented with impressive windows. Pass the Chapel of the Holy Blood.

Take a rest with a 30-minute guided canal boat cruise. See the beauty of medieval Bruges from a different perspective from the canals and waterways of the city.Free time will be given to browse through the lace and chocolate shops around the city, before boarding the coach and return to your ship.

This tour involves approximately 3.5 km (2 miles) of walking, mostly over cobblestone streets. We recommend you to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Ghent and Adoration of The Mystic Lamb
Duration : 5h00
On a guided walking tour through the streets of Ghent, explore the medieval and artistic treasures of one of the most beautiful Flemish cities.
In the 16th century, Ghent was the second most powerful city after Paris. Today, its exceptional heritage still fascinates visitors. From the historic center, set off to discover the guild houses with their gabled facades and cross Saint Michael’s Bridge to discover Ghent's famous “row of three towers”: the Gothic Saint Nicholas Church, the Belfry dating from 1314 and, in the background, the honey-colored tower of Saint Bavo’s Cathedral. Your visit will also take you to the old port, the City Hall, and the interpretive center for Van Eyck's masterpiece, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, which, after nine years of restoration, can now be admired in all its original splendor.

This tour involves walking a distance of approximately 2 km (1.2 miles), mainly on cobbled streets. The team recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and rainwear. Appropriate clothing is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).

Rotterdam, a dynamic and modern city in the Netherlands, is an architectural gem and a major shipping hub in Europe. This constantly evolving metropolis offers a combination of futuristic skyscrapers, innovative museums and preserved historical heritage. Discover this fascinating urban destination from its picturesque canals and admire the famous bridges and edgy buildings that make Rotterdam a must-see for lovers of architecture and culture. Surrounded by Dutch countryside dotted with tulips and windmills, Rotterdam will also be a gateway to experiences outside of the city.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

At the far end of the country, stands the harbor town of Stavanger, with its warm, friendly atmosphere. A friendliness you’ll notice in the little old town cobbled streets, which has some 170 old wooden houses, as well as in its modern city center, always bustling. Strategic place during the Viking era, you will be able to discover a recreated traditional village as well as the famous Swords in Rock, three granite swords standing 10 meters (33 ft) tall, symbolizing the last victory of the King of Norway Harald I, in 872.

Included Excursions

In the footsteps of Stavanger's Past
Duration : 3h00
Stavanger and its surroundings have played a leading role in Norway's maritime history for centuries, from the time when the Viking kings battled in Hafrsfjord, through to the period of the “white sails”, the steamships and to today's modern super tankers.

From the pier, drive passing rich agricultural countryside before arriving at Ullandhaug, with its reconstructed farmhouses from the Iron Age and an introduction into life during that time. In one of the low houses with turf roof, learn more about the living conditions around the year 500. Learn how Norwegians lived their life at this time - a local guide will demonstrate how they made flour or wove their clothes.

After the visit, re-board you coach and drive toward a viewpoint nearby Ullandhaug hill, and enjoy a magnificent view over Hafrsfjord, where the Viking king Harald Haarfagre (the Fair-haired) defeated in 872 the last of the regional princes, and founded the Kingdom of Norway by uniting the 29 small kingdoms under one crown.

Here you will have a photo stop at the Sword in Rock, a monument made of three Viking swords more than 29 feet (9 m) high forced into the ground, recently raised to commemorate this event.

To the east, the fertile farmland of Jæren with the Ryfylke Mountains forms the background. Before your return to the ship, you will have the option of strolling through Old Stavanger and the charming, picturesque and well preserved wooden houses in narrow lanes, which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The houses were originally built for seamen, craftsmen and businessmen. Old Stavanger is today considered unique and its rehabilitation and conservation is the city's most important project.

This tour involves walking on muddy paths and some inclines at the Iron Age Farm. The team recommend you to wear comfortable walking shoes. Should you choose to visit Old Stavanger at the end of the tour, you will return to your ship independently.

Utstein Monastery and music recital
Duration : 3h30
Utstein Monastery is situated on Mosteroy Island. Up to 1992, going to Mosteroy Island had to be done by boat. Today, the drive is via an underwater tunnel almost 3 miles (5 km) long that goes down to nearly 700 feet (210 m).
On Mosteroy Island, the land is fertile and peaceful with grazing sheep and cows. Wonderful green colours, in all the splendid shades which only soft sea air can create, surround you on your way to Utstein Monastery, the best-preserved monastery built in Norway, and you can easily understand why the Viking kings chose to settle here.

From the 13th century onwards, Augustine monks lived here in the peaceful countryside. The Reformation in 1537 put an end to monastery life, and the king's vassals took over the property. In 1937, Restoration works began that ended in 1965.

After the guided visit, the tour ends with a short music recital in the chapel (15 to 20 minutes). One cannot but feel the peace in these surroundings. The old beeches are still standing in the garden, spreading their great crowns over the group of old buildings. After the visit and recital, return to the pier and your ship in Stavanger via the same route.

This tour involves approximately 25 steps to negotiate at the monastery.

Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th Centuries and has preserved some very beautiful monuments from the time when it was home to royalty. Wandering through Bergen’s streets means going back in time, in search of the hidden treasures that have been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. A veritable open air museum, Bergen is home to a thriving artistic community of painters, potters, jewelers. The Bergen cable car offers you a splendid panorama over the port and the surrounding fjords. Do not miss the visit to the old quarter with its narrow streets, a testimony of the power of the hanseatic League that controlled trade in Northern Europe at the end of the Middle Ages.

Included Excursions

Mount Floyen Hike
Duration : 4h00
Your tour starts at the pier where you will meet your guide and walk to Fløibanen station.From the lower station of Fløibanen, the ride takes approximately 8 minutes to the top of Mount Fløien at some 1,000 feet (320 m). On the way up, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Bergen and surroundings. Fløien hills are a very popular recreation area used by the locals all the year round.

The hiking tour starts on one of the many gravel roads, through slightly hilly woodland to the little, idyllic lake called Skomakerdiket, then uphill to join the main path, Blåmansveien. As you get higher, the view gets better! The fjord with a multitude of islands lies beneath you as well as the town, and far out to the West the North Sea.

Head up the Rundemansvegroad and, as you leave the trees behind, there is a wide view to all sides when reaching the highest point, Rundemanen, at some 1,800 feet. After a well-deserved break, you will return to the Funicular station for the ride back, and join your ship after a 15-minute walk back.

This walking tour involves approximately 5 miles (8 km) of walking over forest and gravel paths and asphalt. A portion of the route is uphill. During winter season, participants must wear warm-thermal, water- and wind-proof clothes. Landscapes can still be snow-covered in the early season. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, comfortable clothing and bring some water from the ship. The minimum age required to participate is 8 year old, and children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent. This tour is not recommended for guests with a heart condition or limited physical abilities.

Bryggen Walking Tour
Duration : 3h00
Bergen is a city full of contrasts, a mixture of new and old side by side. This walking tour takes you along the Bergenhus fortress dating back to the Middle Ages with the old coronation hall and the tower of Rosenkranz.

Shortly after, reach Bryggen, a city composed of old Hanseatic merchant buildings which had been damaged in 1702, when a disastrous fire struck the area. After the fire, they were rebuilt to look as they had during the Middle Ages. The whole area is now protected and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The guided tour will lead you up one of the narrow alleyways running between the rows of houses. Today, artists and craftsmen have moved in, and facing the harbor are restaurants and shops of various kinds. The Hanseates settled in Bergen in the middle of the 14th century. They had the monopoly on the trade with Northern Norway for nearly 300 years that was a barter trade: the Norwegians from the North part of the country brought their stock fish, dried cod, to Bergen and went back with grain, spices, textiles etc.

Discover St Mary's church from outside, the oldest stone building in town. In former days, it was called "the German church" because it was solely used by the Hanseatic merchants who have adorned the church over the centuries with several precious objects.
Thereafter, walk on to Schotstuene, a series of assembly rooms. The Schotstuene complex is comprised of four assembly rooms and two cookhouses, where the food was prepared and social life went on. You should not miss a visit to the kitchen, neither to the living quarters in the back! Before returning to the harbor, you will visit the Bryggen museum, an archeological museum housing findings from the Middle Ages.

This moderate tour is entirely done on foot and involves approximately 2.5 hours of walking over cobblestone streets and involves some stairs at the museum. During winter season, participants must wear warm-thermal, water- and wind-proof clothes. Landscapes can still be snow-covered in the early season. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.

Surrounded by a multitude of islands, fjords and majestic mountains, the town of Ålesund surprises many visitors. In fact, it is internationally renowned for its Art nouveau architecture. After the terrible fire of 1904 which reduced a large part of the town to ashes, Norwegian architects inspired by the Art nouveau style contributed to its reconstruction, with a very picturesque result. Not far from Ålesund, you will also discover Giske, the native island of Rollon, the great Viking leader who commanded the Norse expeditions to Normandy, or the beautiful island of Godoy and the village of Alnes, which offers a grandiose panorama over the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding islands.

Included Excursions

Giske and Godoy Islands
Duration : 3h00
Visit two islands in the vast municipality of Giske: Giske Island and the more westerly Godoy Island. Your excursion begins with a short panoramic drive through Ålesund’s Art Nouveau district. The city’s architectural style is the result of a major disaster: the great fire of 1904. The young architects who rebuilt the city drew inspiration from the Art Nouveau movement, giving Ålesund its unique identity.

Leaving the city, you will travel through some of the world’s largest undersea tunnels, which connect the islands to the mainland. Today, the approximately 6,300 inhabitants enjoy a ferry-free connection to the rest of Norway. Reaching the islands requires crossing bridges and undersea tunnels, the longest of which stretches for about 4 km.

Giske, a fairly flat and fertile island, is known as the “Saga Island” and as the birthplace of the Viking chieftain Gange Rolv, or Rollo. In 911, he led expeditions that conquered parts of Norway before settling on the northern coast of France, a region now known as Normandy. He later became the ancestor of William the Conqueror, founder of the English royal lineage.

You will stop to admire the exterior of Giske Chapel, a Romanesque marble church dating from 1135. Built as a private chapel for the powerful Viking Giske family, it was restored in 1756 and features a beautifully carved and painted altarpiece, as well as an intricately decorated pulpit.
From Giske, you will continue to Godoy Island and the small fishing village of Alnes, facing the Atlantic Ocean. Here, you will enjoy a pleasant walk through this picturesque seaside village. After your visit to Godoy, you will reboard your coach and return to Ålesund.

This excursion involves moderate walking over mostly flat terrain, with some gravel paths. It is not recommended for guests using a wheelchair. Participants with limited mobility should assess their physical abilities. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are recommended.

City Walk and Art Nouveau Museum
Duration : 2h30
Ålesund, the largest town on the northwest coast of Norway, has a spectacular setting: stretching over three islands, near the ocean and backdropped by impressive mountain peaks. The town center was destroyed by a fire in 1904 but rebuilt shortly after in the characteristic Art Nouveau architectural style of the period. Today, Ålesund has a population of approximately 40,000, but the town center is relatively small and easy to cover on foot.

From the pier, you will start on foot with a visit to the Art Nouveau museum, located in the old pharmacy building. The museum provides interesting insight into the fire of 1904 and the creative Art Nouveau period.

After your visit, you will continue your walking tour. Your guide will put particular emphasis on presenting the importance of fisheries in Norway's biggest fish export harbor and, of course, you will be shown a multitude of examples of the picturesque Art Nouveau style that has made Ålesund famous.

The tour will continue uphill to the quaint little park at the foot of mount Aksla. Here, you will find exotic trees and plants as well as a memorial stone dedicated to the German emperor Wilhelm II, for whom the main street in town is named after. Furthermore, you will see the statue of the Viking "Gange-Rolf" who sailed from Ålesund to what is today Normandy (France), named after the Norwegian settlers. From the park, you could choose to continue to ascend mount Aksla, where you will be rewarded for your efforts with a spectacular view. Or you could wander about in the park or just sit and have a rest before returning to the pier and your ship.

This tour involves approximately 2 miles (3 km) of walking over even, paved and cobblestone surfaces with inclines. The team recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the rain. This tour will operate in all weather conditions. If there is a religious service, the church will be visited from the outside.

Nestling at the end of the sumptuous Trondheimsfjord, at the mouth of the River Nidelva, and surrounded by green valleys, the mediaeval city of Trondheim will not fail to amaze you. You will be captivated by the natural and cultural riches offered by Norway’s third city, which was founded by the Viking King Olaf I in the 10th century. As you stroll the cobbled streets of its old town, you will discover atypical architecture. An example is its emblematic Nidaros Cathedral, an architectural jewel of the 11th century and an interesting blend of Gothic and Roman influences.

Included Excursions

Highlights of Trondheim
Duration : 3h00
Trondheim is one of Norway's oldest cities, founded by the Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997. Today, the city has a population of approximately 190,000.
From the pier, the tour heads through the busy city center, past the market square with the statue of the Viking King who founded the city, to Nidaros Cathedral. This church, dating from the 12th century, is one of the finest and largest in Gothic style in Scandinavia and was one of Europe's most important pilgrimage-churches. Behind the cathedral lies another stone-building dating back to the Middle Ages, the Archdiocese. The head of the Catholic Church in Norway had his fortified residence here until the Reformation in 1537, when the last archbishop had to flee the country.

After having visited the Cathedral, you will board the coach and head out to a viewpoint where you will have the opportunity to admire the old winding bridge and the old warehouses along the river.

Your tour will continue with a visit to the Folk Museum at Sverresborg. The museum displays, among other things, the urban and rural culture of Trøndelag county. Buildings have been brought to the site from all over the area and re-assembled to provide an authentic cross-section of life and architecture, and you shall visit some of these during your stay. From the Folk Museum, you will return to the pier.

Please note that the walk to the museum can be very steep at times. Tour order may vary.

Trondheim Walking Tour
Duration : 3h00
Trondheim was founded in 997 AC and was the first capital of Norway. Today, it is Norway’s 3rd largest city, but it is still the location where new kings and queens receive their ceremonial blessing. The city center is framed by Trondheimsfjord - around the bends at the mouth of the River Nidelva - and is a blend of old and new.

From the pier, you will walk to the town center, passing through the pedestrian areas towards NIdaros Cathedral. The Cathedral was built on the gravesite of Norway’s patron Saint, and is therefore the original St. Olav’s Church, an important destination for pilgrims before the reformation. The West Wall is richly ornamented in stone. You will continue via the Old City Bridge to Bakklandet. In the Bakklandet area, most of the houses are small and built from wood by sailors, fishermen and laborers. The charming surroundings close to the City Center have been recognized by modern people, who have restored the old buildings and moved in, breathing new life into the area, which now includes small Café’s and Shops. Among the curiosities in the area is a special bicycle lift – called Trampe – that takes you up the steep Brubakken Hill. Afterward your visit, you will return to the pier.

This excursion involves walking approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) on uneven surfaces. The team recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water from the ship.

On board your ship, cross the mythical line of the Arctic Circle. This famous parallel runs at around 66° 33’ latitude north. Often considered the gateway to the Arctic, it is simply the latitude from which it is possible to observe the midnight sun at least once in the year. Once over the Circle, during the summer months, you will therefore be able to sail in permanent daylight and the low light that is so particular to the polar regions. A unique moment, which will doubtless remain one of the highlights of your cruise.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Way beyond the Arctic Circle, Lofoten Islands are truly considered to be in “another world”. A jewel of nature in its most pristine state, this archipelago with its jagged coastline offers you majestic settings of high alpine summits, sandy beaches, green prairies and fjords of a deep blue, where countless bird colonies make their nests. Whether you visit Å, or Nusjford, listed by UNESCO, enjoy authentic and memorable moments.

Included Excursion

Hennigsaver and Lofotr Museum
Duration : 4h30
From the pier, board your coach and proceed to Henningsvær. You will discover the everyday life of one of the most picturesque fishing villages in the Lofoten Islands, with its backdrop of mountain peaks. Until 1962, when Lofoten fisheries were at their peak, more than 6,000 fishermen used this as their base from January to April. Because of the unique light and beauty of the surrounding nature, artists find inspiration with these islands.

Continue your visit with the Lofotens House Gallery, which have North Norway’s largest collection of paintings from around the turn of the last century, a period considered as the Golden age of North Norwegian art. Here you will find the works of well-known Norwegian artists, like Otto Sinding, Gunnar Bergen, Thorolf Holmbo, etc. 

Then, proceed to Borg, and explore the Lofotr Viking Museum at Borg, the site of the ancient Viking farm that was discovered by a farmer plowing his land in the early 1980’s. You will even be able to visit the reconstructed Longhouse. It has been proven that the Lofoten Islands were a center of power already at the time of the Vikings. You can get a very realistic impression of the living conditions in these bygone times.
 
This tour involves a 0.3-mile (500 m) walk on uneven ground with steps. The team recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. This tour is not recommended for guests in wheelchairs or with difficulties walking.

In the north of the Arctic circle you’ll discover Tromsø, 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.