Autumn Splendours: From Lofoten to the Norwegian Fjords

Beyond the Arctic Circle, you will discover Narvik, nestling in the heart of impressive mountains that plunge into the Ofotfjord. It is on the verge of obtaining the “sustainable destination” label, a national label awarded to destinations that are committed to a sustainable approach to tourism for the long term. You will be mesmerised by its scenery. From Narvik, it is possible to take the Ofoten Line towards Sweden. This historic railway once linked the mineral-rich mines of Kiruna in Sweden to the ice-free port of Narvik.

Are you attracted by the force of the elements, by the world’s end, by untamed landscapes? Welcome to the Lofoten Islands, an archipelago moored in the Norwegian Sea, beyond the Arctic Circle. Here, you will sail in majestic decors of alpine summits, sandy coves, sharp peaks emerging from the sea and deep-blue fjords rippling with fish. The small town of Leknes is on Vestvagoy Island. All around you are the jagged shapes of mountains, and bays that empty and fill with the tides. During this port of call, you will be able to hike or partake in other open-air activities to ensure that you really appreciate all the region’s natural treasures. You will set off to meet the Vikings at the Lofotr Viking Museum and reach the small fishing port of Henningsvær, which is picturesque and lively, with its cafés, art gallery and modern art museum.

Norwegians consider the small fishing port of Reine to be their country’s most beautiful village; it seems to have been naturally set in the heart of a bay encircled by craggy mountains. Very close by, Flakstad stands out thanks to its superb white sandy beach and bronze-coloured waters, and its red wooden onion-domed church emerging from the cliffs. Other villages are scattered along the roads; they follow the rhythm of skrei (cod) fishing, which helps the region prosper. Here, the seagulls absorb the silence on the roofs of the fishermen’s houses built on stilts. A few weeks later, these rorbuers are going to welcome thousands of people from all over Norway who will take part in the “miraculous fishing” that stretches from January to April every year, continuing an ancestral tradition that goes as far back as the Vikings.

Sitting on the Torget peninsula, surrounded by water and a myriad of islands, Brønnøysund invites you to the heart of a wild natural environment. This former Viking city nestled around a narrow harbour enjoys a strategic location and centralises fishing- and trade-related activities. The lively atmosphere that reigns around the marina contrasts with the tranquillity of the archipelago. At the Norwegian Aquaculture Centre, you will better understand the global success of Norwegian aquaculture and sample its excellent products. You will also have the chance to hike along the mythical granite dome of Torghatten, the pierced hat-shaped mountain, to admire the astonishing natural hole formed in the rock during the Ice Age. A few kilometres from Brønnøysund, in Tilrem, lies a still working, 250-year-old farm comprising a glorious herb garden, a shop selling items produced at the farm, and a family-run restaurant.

A natural paradise, Smøla is an island surrounded by an archipelago of thousands of small islands, islets and reefs, all bathed in an extraordinary light. The sheep freely graze the moorland. Ocean and fresh water meet, forming bays, ponds and pools of brackish water conducive to the development of a high biodiversity. In winter, the island serves as a refuge to numerous seabird species. One of these is the sea eagle, or white-tailed eagle – a protected species of which the densest population is found here. The island’s inhabitants subsist primarily on fishing and will share their culinary traditions with you by introducing you to some local products. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even try your hand at fishing in the crystal-clear waters or you can visit the island of Hitra.

In this wild fjord topped by high mountains with snow-covered peaks, the only road that remains open in winter is called Eagle Road. Leaving the village of Geiranger, it rises sharply to 625 metres (2,000 feet) above the fjord via 12 hairpin bends. The summit offers a magnificent panorama over the Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will able to hear the rumble of the Seven Sisters Waterfall, which tumbles down into the fjord in a cloud of foam. The road then continues up Mount Dalsnibba, which rises to an altitude of 1,475 metres (almost 5,000 feet). In this region, as you will learn at the Norwegian Fjord Centre, agriculture follows a tradition dating back to the Vikings. A farm in the vicinity has been run by the same family for 300 years. With several hundred goats, it is one of the largest summer farms in the country’s mountains.

Fall under the spell of Ålesund, which is crossed by the pretty Brosundet Canal and surrounded by a string of rocky islets, fjord inlets and majestic mountains. This large herring fishing port is especially reputed for its Art Nouveau architecture. Following the 1904 fire that reduced much of the city to ashes, German architects and artisans rebuilt it in stone and brick, creating a unique homogenous ensemble. You will find out more about it at the Art Nouveau Museum. You will then be able to take to the heights on Godøy Island and climb the Godøyfjellet Mountain to enjoy a magnificent panorama. The picturesque Alnes Lighthouse also offers spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean. The relief changes sharply on Giske Island, which is flat and fertile.

Nordfjordeid is a small town nestling at the end of an arm of the gigantic Nordfjord. Featuring valleys with abundant vegetation and mountainous terrain, nature here offers a 360-degree view that was conducive to the early settlement of Viking communities, as evidenced by the large number of tombs, some of the country’s largest and richest. You will be able to deepen your knowledge of Nordic culture and traditions at the Sagastad Viking Centre, a surprising museum with interactive exhibitions, also home to the Myklebust, one of the world’s largest Viking ships, measuring 30 metres (98 feet) in length. In addition to its stunning setting, the town is known for its many breeders of Norwegian farm horses, the Fjord horse, offering the opportunity for wonderful hikes in the surrounding area.

Nestled in the heart of the fjord country, less than 200 kilometres from Bergen, the picturesque village of Flåm – pronounced Flôm – offers you an experience of authentic Norway. You can mosey around the brightly coloured streets and admire the majestic contours of the surrounding mountains. The town is also the departure point for the mythical train route Flamsbana, 20 kilometres long, whose journey offers a superb view of the scenery, as sublime as it is pristine. This attraction makes Flåm one of the country’s main tourist destinations.

Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, you will sail in the Sognefjord. This stunning fjord extends approximately 200 kilometres (125 miles) inland, making it the longest in Europe. The Sognefjord is also the widest fjord in Norway, stretching across 4.5 kilometres (2.8 miles) on average. Its depth can range from 100 metres (328 feet) near its mouth to more than 1,300 metres (4,265 feet). You will see charming villages suspended on the mountainside or nestling along the banks, and admire the waterfalls and perfectly carved wild shores. Like the great rivers with multiples tributaries, the Sognefjord branches off into a large number of arms and fjords that you will be able to glimpse during this magnificent cruise.

The small and charming capital of the Shetland Islands, with its sea front of old houses and narrow streets, offering travellers its old districts and a warm port atmosphere. Geopark Shetland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located to the north. Incredibly well-preserved archaeological sites and ruins prove that the islands’ occupation dates back to the first Neolithic colonies. The Shetland Museum and Archives recounts the Shetlands’ history of heritage and culture: Lerwick’s abundant waters were even fished by the Dutch in the past.

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.

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