ARMADA OF ROUEN. After the 2023 poster, the world meeting of tall ships unveiled the names of the first 14 participating tall ships, one year before the event.
[Mis à jour le 10 juin 2022 à 11h51] A year before the start of the Armada 2023, its president Jean-Paul Rivière unveiled the names of the first 14 tall ships out of the 50 participants in this unique event in the world. The fifty or so boats will be open to visitors free of charge during the event. “Among these signed ships, several are particularly committed to young people in protecting the oceans, thus joining the commitments and philosophy of L’Armada Rouen 2023”, he announced.
- Atlantis (NL): Originally a lightship and cargo ship, it was transformed into a cruising sailboat in 1984. It has a large number of luxurious cabins, and a deck area that lends itself to the reception desk.
- The Atyla (VUT): Ship built in 1984 by a Spaniard whose project was to build a schooner in the traditional way, according to 19th century plans. Operated today by a foundation that offers eco-responsible cruises in connection with nature, aimed at young people to raise awareness about the protection of the oceans and the planet. With a Spanish crew, she flies the Vanuatu flag.
- Le Belem (FR): This training ship is emblematic of maritime gatherings. In just over 100 years, he has already lived 5 lives and changed nationality 3 times. She was in turn a merchant ship under the French flag, a luxury English yacht, then an Italian training ship before returning to her French flag today.
- The Dar Mlodziezy (PL): This Polish Navy training ship, built in 1981 in the shipyards of Gdansk and whose name means “Gift of Youth”, has a square stern, adorned with hunting and galleon ports. A mixture of tradition and modernity, 109 meters long, which carries more than 130 cadets and can spin up to 16 knots under sail.
- L’Etoile du Roy (FR): Replica of a privateer frigate from 1745. A real movie star, this boat has hosted numerous film shoots and the famous British television series Hornblower.
- L’Etoile Molène (FR): French pavilion emblematic of Saint-Malo. This Dundee tuna boat was originally built for tuna fishing in the Bay of Biscay and trawling in the Irish Sea.
- Le Français (FR): This ship, named after Commander Charcot, a famous polar explorer from the end of the 19th-beginning of the 20th century, housed The School of the Poles.
- Le Marité (FR): The oldest large wooden sailing ship in the French fleet and the last tricolor terra-neuva. It will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2023. It has thirteen sails and three masts weighing one ton, surmounted by an eleven meter jib mast.
- The Morgenster (NL): Steel-hulled ship built in 1919 and armed for fishing. Since its major restoration in 2008, it has been dedicated to educational sailing activities.
- The Santa Maria Manuela (PT): First equipped for fishing, this vessel was part of the White Fleet, these 3 large Portuguese sailing ships from the 1930s, dedicated to cod fishing. Painted white, it was thus identifiable and was preserved from German attacks according to an agreement between belligerents during the Second World War.
- The Tenacious (UK): Belonging to an English foundation, this ship is dedicated to helping people with disabilities sail. Its specific arrangements to accommodate many forms of disability (blindness, deafness, mobility, etc.) make it an exceptional and unique boat in the world. It is one of the largest sailing wooden sailing ships.
- The Thalassa (NL): This relatively recent vessel was originally dedicated to fishing. It has been transformed into a cruising sailboat with very comfortable interiors, a pub atmosphere, between leather and varnish.
- La Recouvrance (FR): The ambassador ship of the city of Brest, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2022. This replica of an early 19th century sloop flies the French flag.
- The Statsraad Lehmkuhl (NO): This three-masted barque will just return in June 2023 from a two-year “One Ocean expedition” mission, as part of the “Decade of Ocean science for sustainable development” program.
While waiting to see the sailboats of the Armada de Rouen 2023, here are the photos of the previous edition:
The 2023 edition of the Rouen Armada is placed under the sponsorship of the writer Michel Bussi. It is intended to be “a new invitation to discover ships steeped in history in a spirit of maritime celebration”. Beyond its festive and popular roots, this new edition aims to bring the public closer to the issues of protecting the oceans and culture. Michel Bussi organizes for the occasion:
- A short story competition for young people. Primary school pupils, middle school pupils, high school pupils and students will be invited to write the continuation of the first lines written by the famous author and which will of course have a relationship with the Armada. The key: many prizes and the beginning of a notoriety…
- A call for projects for live shows and street arts. The selected troupes will animate the quays and public spaces with their creations on the themes of the sea and the history of Rouen.
While waiting for the detailed program, the Armada de Rouen has unveiled its poster, an internal creation of the Association Armada de la liberté and the hundreds of volunteers who carry the event:
The Rouen Armada has the advantage of being a completely free event for all visitors. Only the food and goodies found on site are chargeable. Be sure to visit the event website in order to discover or rediscover the boats that have already come during the 7 previous editions and join the Rouen Armada on social networks (Facebook and Twitter).
The 8th edition of the Armada de Rouen takes place from Thursday 8 to Sunday 18 June 2023. 6 million visitors are expected on the quays of the port of Rouen for this 8th edition, in order to welcome the most beautiful and largest boats that will have gone up the Seine, from Le Havre to Paris, over 120 kilometres.
The Armada de Rouen is the most important event in the world of the sea which takes place every four to six years in Rouen. The idea for this event on the quays of Rouen was born in 1983. Two years later, the association “Les voiles de la liberté” was born by creating, in 1986, the famous “Course de la Liberté Rouen-New York”. In 1994, the first Armada was created (“Armada de la liberté”) and was followed 5 years later by “The armada of the century”. Finally, the first “Armada de Rouen” was born in 1989. It welcomed that year, for its first edition, 9 million people. Coming from the distant ports of the Baltic Sea, the Polar Seas or the Caribbean, the sailboats of the Armada are among the most beautiful in the world.