Laurence de la Ferriere

Explorer, mountaineer and speaker, after climbing several 8000 meters peaks without oxygen in Himalaya, including the southern summit of Everest (8770m), Kangchenjunga and Nanga Parbat, Laurence de la Ferrière is dedicated to polar exploration with the crossing of Greenland, Spitzbergen, Siberia, then Antarctica. Today, Laurence is the first French person to have reached the South Pole and the only woman in the world to have completely crossed the Antarctic continent alone.

2008/2010, under the aegis of the Ministry of Research and the French Overseas Ministry, she heads the French base of Dumont-d'Urville in Terre Adélie. Representing the state and the laws in the territory, guarantor and responsible for safety and scientific programs, this mission is a major turning point in her sports career.

2019/2020, as part of an educational partnership, accompanied by scientists, she leads a sailing expedition in the Antarctic Peninsula. An investigation at the heart of the scientific bases of a dozen countries, which contributes to the knowledge of the situation of the great white continent, in contact with several thousand schools. The environmental dimension becomes the focal point. Originally a mathematician and musician, she financed her expeditions by giving lectures.

Based on her experience as a polar explorer, Laurence’s stories allow her to illustrate and debate with intensity and truth around the values of our society. Officer of the Legion d’Honneur, Knight of the National Order of Merit and Gold Medal of Youth and Sport. She is the author of several books including Seule dans le vent des glaces, and Alpissima published by Robert Laffont and Antarctique, Au coeur du continent blanc published by Gallimard. Several films have been made including Alone in Antarctica and The hidden life in Antarctica.

Spoken language: French

Photo credit: © ARR