From June 8 to 18, the Rouen Armada, the largest gathering of sailboats in the world, is held in the Normandy capital. About forty boats, from all over the world, stopped in the city’s port, along the banks of the Seine. Visitors and tourists can visit them for free. A grandiose spectacle to discover exceptional ships and an invitation to travel alongside the quay, but also through time.
It sits proudly at the foot of the Flaubert bridge in Rouen, on the banks of the Seine. Recognizable with its navy blue and white hull, Le Belem is a regular in the Armadas. This French sailboat, a three-mast, is the oldest in Europe, since its launch dates back to 1896. A piece of history that the visitors of the day discover: “ So here we are on the main deck. There are 16 professional merchant mariners and it can accommodate up to 48 trainees. Afterwards, we see the sails, so in all, there are 22 sails for a sail area of 1 200 square meters, so it’s not bad ! “says Amélie, trainee on Le Belem.
This training ship is one of the most anticipated at each edition of the Rouen Armada, since it retains a very strong bond with the public: ” It’s a bit like the boat of all French people, it embarks every year 1 200 people. It is the only three-mast in France of this scale which allows all French people from the age of 14 who can swim to be able to board with us. », explains Aymeric Gibet, the captain of the belem. Anyone can therefore come on board for a mission lasting from a few days to a few weeks to take part in the tasks involved in the maintenance of the ship and to familiarize themselves with the marine environment.
Go back in time
With more than 40 boats moored on the quays of Rouen and coming from the four corners of the globe, the Armada is an invitation to travel. So, off to 16th century Spain with El Galeon, the replica of a Spanish galleon, imposing with its massive wooden hull. Its pirate ship look does not leave Pascaline indifferent, a lover of the sea, originally from the south of France and who also owns her own little sailboat: ” It’s love at first sight, especially for old rigs like this. We really want to visit. Because it’s an old Spanish galleon and it made us dream in our childhood. So of course it makes you dream, and we travel ! »
We embark on board El Galéon with Alvaro, sailor on this ship for eight years. He takes us to the back of the ship, to the command room, where the walls are lined with old sea maps: It is here that the admirals met to define the routes to be taken and all the strategic decisions of the ship, he explains. The Galéon was a cargo ship. He carried spices from the Philippines to Spain. People who visit it take a step back in time. AT At the time, sailors lacked weather forecasts, radar and technology. Visitors realize how hard life was on board. »
” This boat is stunningly beautiful. ! »
A Mexican music escapes from another ship, The Cuauhtemoc, a huge Mexican sailboat, which takes its name from the last Aztec emperor. He is the star of the Armada, present at most editions. Even at quay and with the sails folded, this giant of the seas with its white and immaculate hull remains a spectacle. It is “the crush” of Françoise, who is in her second Armada: ” This boat has a presence, it is of a magnificent beauty ! It’s still a handsome kid they put on it, they’re not crazy ! They are nice ! she laughs, accompanying her laughter with a wink. But what she expects above all is the big parade: the departure of the boats, which one by one, go down the Seine, acclaimed by the public and reach the open sea: ” It’s to do ! Whoever hasn’t seen it must do so ! It’s time to say goodbye and thank you for coming ! The Rouen Armada will return in four or five years.