We dreamed up an intimate expedition ship for you: one able to explore the deepest coves and the narrowest fjords and to get as close as possible to icebergs and sea ice, so that a dozen guests can share a true polar adventure.
Latitude Blanche, a different kind of expedition
Every voyage to the Far North should be a unique adventure, shaped by nature, the encounters along the way, the conditions and everyone’s wishes. Four principles guide each of our departures.
Here, nature rules: each day is written by the ice, the weather and the wildlife. Our goal is to let you experience the Arctic the way the scientists and explorers who made history did.
Zodiac outings beneath the glaciers, hikes, wildlife watching: activities are chosen to suit everyone’s curiosity and wishes.
A comfortable, welcoming ship, carefully prepared meals and the warmth of a small group: on board, it feels like a family home at the ends of the earth.
At the crossroads of French and Scandinavian cultures, Latitude Blanche combines the strengths of both mindsets, with a young, forward-looking crew.
A young shipping company that champions an authentic polar experience while supporting French seafaring jobs.
Its founders met as students at the École nationale supérieure maritime (ENSM), the French maritime academy. On July 22, 2015, at a reunion in Marseille, they swapped stories of their polar voyages, their discoveries and the challenges they had faced, and imagined a kind of voyage that would truly reflect who they are: the idea of a French company took shape.
Latitude Blanche is still led by its co-founder, Yann Le Bellec, an ENSM graduate with a passion for the polar regions who has sailed as a captain and ice pilot.
Driven by a deep passion for the polar regions and their untouched nature, we chose to show them in a different way: every voyage lets you explore these extreme lands while understanding how fragile they are. By sharing our commitments, our guests in turn become ambassadors for these unique regions.
The Polarfront crew are involved alongside us: they apply our charters and are encouraged to suggest improvements, whatever their role on board.
Regulations are a baseline; our ambition is to go beyond industry standards.
Rather than scrapping a ship with such an exceptional structure, we modernized her propulsion and power generation: quiet electric propulsion and 35% less fuel.
The repoweringWe work with local French suppliers and small, responsible producers, favoring short supply chains and quality.
Our partner producersAll our staff, ashore or at sea, enjoy the best social protection: the French flag guarantees that French labor law applies on board.
Respect and non-discrimination for everyone, guests and crew members alike, regardless of sex, gender, background or beliefs.
Polar navigation trainingIce AcademyTraining and consulting for seafarers and shipping companies, from the first French ship operator certified for polar navigation.
An artist’s eyeArtist residencyLike the great expeditions of the past, we invite artists to come aboard and bear witness to the voyage.
In the newsPressThalassa, Le Marin, Mer et Marine, Paris Match… the reports and articles about Polarfront since 2018.
Join the crewCareersDeck, engine, hospitality and galley: seafaring careers under the French flag, at the ends of the earth.
An intimate expedition ship: twelve guests, an ice-strengthened hull, electric propulsion.From the world’s last weather ship to expedition ship: fifty years, one hull.Upcoming small-group departures aboard Polarfront.
Ship’s biscuits
At sea, cookies are called ship’s biscuits, and our polar bear loves them. A few are essential to sail this website; the others, such as YouTube’s for our films, only come on board with your consent.
Ship’s biscuits · Ship’s manifest
Every biscuit is listed on the manifest, and the bear on watch awaits your orders: you decide which ones embark. Your choice is kept for six months and can be changed at any time.
Without them the ship would not float: the website language, form security and remembering your choices. They do nothing else and never follow you around.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
lb_cookies | Latitude Blanche | Remembers your cookie choices | 6 months |
wp-wpml_current_language | Latitude Blanche | Remembers the website language | 1 day |
Our films are hosted by YouTube (Google). Letting them on board means accepting that YouTube sets its cookies when a video is shown. Otherwise they wait on the quay and open on YouTube.
| Name | Set by | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
YSC, VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE… | YouTube (Google) | Plays videos, measures their audience | Up to 6 months |
— | 360player | 360° tours of the ship | Session |
