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From the Norwegian Fjords to the Bay of Biscay Luxury Cruise

From the Norwegian Fjords to the Bay of Biscay Luxury Cruise

From AUD $9,670

Description

Fall under the spell of an enchanted journey linking the spectacular fjords of Norway to the elegant shorelines of Southwestern France. Between vertiginous reliefs and majestic waterfalls, the Nordic landscapes will unveil raw and soothing nature, before making way, travelling down the North Sea, for softer horizons, where Belgium reveals its discreet coastlines, with their maritime heritage and authentic charm. Gradually, Normandy then Brittany will come into view, with characterful ports, historic villages and the light of the Atlantic, down to the Gironde estuary, home to a warmer atmosphere shaped by way of life and wide open spaces.

Trip Name
From the Norwegian Fjords to the Bay of Biscay Luxury Cruise
Days
12
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Length: 127 metres Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Le Champlain, part of the prestigious PONANT EXPLORERS series, masterfully blends the spirit of adventure with refined comfort. Designed to navigate some of the world’s most remote destinations, she offers guests the intimacy of a private yacht alongside discreet luxury and elegant French styling. Her 92 staterooms and suites, all with private balconies, are bathed in natural light, providing a serene retreat after a day of Zodiac® expeditions or fine dining. Every element, from the stylish interiors to the attentive service, reflects PONANT’s dedication to creating a truly authentic voyage. Built with a strong focus on eco-friendly innovation, Le Champlain incorporates the latest environmental technologies to minimise her impact on the oceans she explores. At 430 feet long with a guest capacity of up to 184, she maintains a sense of exclusivity while offering spacious public areas, exceptional cuisine, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether gliding through polar waters or sailing to tropical shores, she delivers an unforgettable combination of exploration, sophistication, and respect for the natural world.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - Bergen
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 openair museum, Bergen is home to a thriving artistic community of painters, potters, jewellers. 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.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Eidfjord
Eidfjord is nestled in one of the last branches of the beautiful Hardanger Fjord, 'the Norwegian orchard', which has been famous for its fruit production since medieval times. All the forces of nature seem to come together in this ancient glacial valley. Imposing and majestic mountains border the Hardangervidda National Park, the largest high-altitude plateau in Europe. The serene waters of the fjord and Lake Eidfjord are matched by the roar of the Voring Falls, one of Europe's highest waterfalls and Norway's main source of hydroelectric power.
Day 3 - Day 2 - Sailing in the Hardangerfjord
In the heart of Norway’s natural scenery, to the southeast of Bergen, you will sail the peaceful waters of the Hardangerfjord, the second longest fjord in Norway. At the wide mouth of this majestic fjord, gently sloping valleys offer the sight of lush meadows and fruit trees galore. Moreover, it is rightly nicknamed the “fruit orchard of Norway". As you continue sailing and move further inland, the fjord narrows and the rolling surroundings make way for vertiginous walls and high mountainous areas. Enhanced by the reflections of the light on the soft waters, at times clear, at times deep, the landscapes become wilder and reveal an uncut diamond of singular beauty.
Day 4 - Day 3 - Egersund
Like a painter’s palette, the former industrial town of Egersund unveils its colours as if to better charm its passing visitors. Its small wooden houses, among the best conserved in Norway, certainly display colourful façades that distinguish them from the other municipalities of the southern Norwegian coast, which opted for white at a time when this was a sign of wealth. Admire the façades of Strandgaten, the former main street of the town, and wander the old district of Hauen, which is now full of cafés, galleries and boutiques. Also make a detour to the Heidningeholmen Church, whose foundations date back to the 17th century, and dive into Egersund’s past.
Day 5 - Day 4 - At sea
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 centre. 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.
Day 6 - Day 5 - Antwerp
Located in the Flemish region of Belgium, Antwerp is worth a visit for its remarkable architectural heritage. In this moderately-sized, cosmopolitan city, you will be able to stroll around the ancient city centre, dominated by the most important monument in Antwerp, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The museums of the city retrace the history of Antwerp, including the home of Rubens, containing the works of the painter, and the Plantin-Moretus museum, a print works and publishing house that are UNESCO listed. From Grote Markt, the central square in the city, you will be captivated by the attractive sight formed by the unusual medieval architecture of the guild houses.
Day 7 - Day 6 - Ostend
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.
Day 8 - Day 7 - Honfleur
A treasure of the Côte Fleurie, Honfleur is located on the edge of la Crique de Rouen in Normandy. You will no doubt admire the historical ships moored in its old port. With its tall, slate-covered houses, the quays provide a great setting for a very nice walk. In the streets behind the harbour, you will see many timber houses. These picturesque places were the cradle of several pre-impressionist painters. You can see their works in the Eugène Boudin museum. Exhibited works represent scenes of medieval streets and the coastline as it used to be, as illustrated by the Butin beach and its lush green hillsides.
Day 9 - Day 8 - Saint-Malo
The mere mention of Saint-Malo’s name is enough to plunge us back into the richness of its past. The fortifications stand as testimony to the Malouins’ determination to defend their citadel, fought over by France and Britain in turn. When we drop anchor here, immerse yourself in the diversity of its heritage: the time when privateers sailed the oceans in search of trade and victories; the legendary yacht races the port city is still famous for, such as the Route du Rhum; and the final resting place of the French writer François-René de Chateaubriand, who was born here and chose to be buried here anonymously.
Day 10 - Day 9 - Roscoff
Once a city of corsairs, the port of Roscoff is now a popular seaside resort proud to have been labelled a “Small Town with Character”. From its tumultuous and fascinating past, Roscoff has preserved an exceptional architectural heritage from the 16th and 17th centuries. Its historic centre is brimming with relics from the past: the magnificent granite mansions of shipowners, the Notre-Dame-de-Croaz-Batz gothic church, and the Old Port, once the stronghold of smugglers and merchants. The town is also known for its foreshore, which boasts a rich algal biodiversity. Its study, beginning in 1872, led to the creation of the first European research and teaching centre in marine biology and oceanography, the Station Biologique de Roscoff.
Day 11 - Day 10 - Quiberon
Welcome to the Quiberon peninsula in the Morbihan, Brittany's wild and contrasting landscape. On the Atlantic Ocean side, you will see stretches of wild coastline with rugged, windswept cliffs, and on the Quiberon Bay side, long sandy beaches overlooking emerald waters. Port Haliguen, a ten-minute walk from Quiberon, is a marina that has retained all its charms of yesteryear. 
Day 12 - Day 11 - Sailing in the Gironde Estuary
Located on France’s Atlantic coast, the Gironde Estuary stretches between Bordeaux and the Atlantic Ocean. Sail through peaceful landscapes lined with traditional fishing huts, charming villages, and renowned vineyards bordering the estuary’s shores. Between shifting light and preserved nature, let yourself be carried away by the unique atmosphere of this majestic waterway, shaped by the tides and the region’s maritime history.
Day 13 - Day 12 - Bordeaux
Bordeaux stretches along the banks of the Garonne river, in South-West France. Its rich wine tradition makes it the world capital of wine. Let yourself be carried away by the history of the Port de la Lune, made a UNESCO World Heritage site for its prestigious classical architecture. On the famous Place de la Bourse, the past and the present unite: here you can observe the majestic old buildings reflected in the contemporary Miroir d’eau creation.
Day 14 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $9,670Deluxe Stateroom
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $10,170Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $16,560Privilege Suite Deck 5
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $16,560Privilege Suite Deck 6
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $17,050Grand Deluxe Suite
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $24,730Owner's Suite
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $10,470Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $10,860Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $14,560Deluxe Suite Deck 4
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $14,560Deluxe Suite Deck 5
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $14,560Deluxe Suite Deck 3
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $14,560Deluxe Suite Deck 6
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $15,660Prestige Suite Deck 5
08-07-202819-07-2028AUD $16,150Prestige Suite Deck 6

Inclusions

    • Discover the maritime regions of Europe, from Nordic landscapes to the Atlantic shores, featuring grandiose nature and fascinating cultures.
    • Landscapes of contrasting nature, with fjords and majestic waterfalls, wild coasts and cliffs.
    • Heritage treasures: historic ports (Honfleur, Antwerp, etc.), fortified cities (Roscoff, Saint-Malo, etc.) and maritime legacy.

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