Explore to inspire, a PONANT podcast
PONANT's cruises
At the crossroads of Northern Europe and the Arctic, Norway offers remarkable diversity: fjords, mountains, islands and vast polar expanses make up a unique territory. Travelling in Norway allows you to discover one of Europe’s best-preserved natural environments.
Norway: explore fjords shaped by ice and sea
Travelling in Norway means exploring raw and powerful nature, as exemplified by its thousand fjords with breathtaking cliffs, mainly located along the west coast. High mountains stretch to the south, while to the north, the midnight sun and northern lights bathe the peaks and tundra in their glow. The islands, from Lofoten to Vesterålen, add their wild charm. Not forgetting the Svalbard archipelago with its vast polar and mineral landscapes. It is home to Spitsbergen, the northernmost inhabited island in the world.
Spitsbergen: explore the shores of a polar sanctuary
Above the Arctic Circle, Spitsbergen is home to exceptional wildlife that has adapted to extreme conditions. This is the territory of the polar bear, the emblematic predator of the Far North, as well as the elusive Arctic fox and the Svalbard reindeer, which can be seen roaming the tundra. At sea, nutrient-rich waters attract ringed seals, walruses and beluga whales, as well as seabirds – Arctic terns, snow buntings, etc. – which come to breed in the northern hemisphere during the summer.
Geirangerfjord
Svalbard reindeer
Fisherman’s hut in Oslo
Tromsø and its Arctic Cathedral
Ut på tur, aldri sur
(Out on a walk, never grumpy)
Norwegian proverb
Experiences to enjoy in Norway
On a journey through historic Norway, amid the breathtaking landscapes of the fjords or under the fabulous lights of the northern lights, discover some of Norway’s most beautiful facets.
Hunting for the northern lights
North of the Arctic Circle, the region around Tromsø, Finnmark and the Vesterålen Islands are the best places in Norway to witness the spectacle of the northern lights. From September to April, the night sky transforms into a theatre of green and purple waves that move like a blast of light.
Learn about the traditions of the Sámi people
The lands of the Sámi in northern Norway offers an immersion into the culture of Europe’s last indigenous people. For these reindeer herders, traditions rooted in their communion with nature remain alive and well. They share their stories around the fire, telling tales linked to the cycle of the seasons, sometimes accompanied by a joik, their ancestral song. A way of life guided by a sense of hospitality and imbued with spirituality.
Hiking in the fjords of Norway
Hiking is a national sport in Norway, as nature is everywhere and so quickly accessible. The fjords and mountains of the south are an ideal playground, from Geirangerfjord to Nærøyfjord, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, via Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord. Thousands of trails through forests, green valleys and steep cliffs guide you on a journey of discovery through unspoilt wilderness.
Take the Flåmsbana railway
This is one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world: tunnels carved into the rock, steep-sided valleys, majestic waterfalls and dizzying ravines line this legendary train line from the Myrdal plateau between Bergen and Oslo to Flåm on the shores of the Aurlandsfjord. It’s an hour’s journey to be enjoyed in the brightness of summer or in winter amidst snow-covered landscapes.
Strolling through the villages of Lofoten under the midnight sun
A feeling of being at the end of the world awaits you in the Lofoten Islands. Reine, Henningsvær, Leknes, Hamnøy: in these small fishing villages, the red huts on stilts facing the rugged mountains paint an almost unreal picture. As you walk along the small harbours where traditional boats bob up and down, the maritime spirit of the archipelago is revealed. On summer evenings, the midnight sun bathes these landscapes in an absolutely magical golden light.
Visit Bergen and its Hanseatic houses, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Nestled among the fjords, the country’s second-largest city is the ideal starting point for a nature getaway. But you’ll also want to visit the iconic Bryggen district, the historic quayside lined with colourful wooden facades, a reminder of the era when the Hanseatic League controlled part of the Nordic trade. Today, visitors can stroll through its small craft shops and trendy restaurants.
Witness Europe’s longest dog sled race
Finnmarksløpet is held every winter in northern Norway. Across the frozen plains of Finnmark, mushers and their dog sled teams brave the polar cold and northern nights over a distance of 1,200 km. An extraordinary race that highlights the unique bond between humans and animals.
Area: 385,203 km²
Population: 5.5 million
Oslo
700,000 inhabitants in the city and over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area
The stave church from Gol at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo
Stave churches
Like small cathedrals built entirely of wood, these medieval buildings feature complex architecture, combining ornamentation inspired by Christianity and Viking myths.
Trollstigen scenic route
Friluftsliv
Friluftsliv: “outdoor life”, a Norwegian way of life that celebrates harmony with nature and the well-being it provides. A simple philosophy, but one deeply rooted in the country’s culture.
Snow-capped peaks of Spitsbergen
