Impressive 65 m long ship with a 1 500m² roof, this emblem of French shipbuilding was built in the Rochefort arsenal and is known for having allowed the Marquis de La Fayette to join the American insurgents to help them conquer their independence in 1780. Let's go back to the great epic of this ship which is now enjoying a second life thanks to an incredible team of enthusiasts.
The history of the Hermione began in 1778 in a slipway near the Corderie Royale de Rochefort. At that time, the arsenal of the Charentaise city was one of the most important in the Kingdom of France.
From its birth in 1666 to the end of its activity in 1927, nearly 550 ships were built there. Among them, the Hermione, a "12-pdr frigate" equipped with 26 cannons, which took nearly 11 months of work.
On March 21, 1780, a certain Gilbert Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, embarked on board for America! After 38 days of a trying crossing, he set foot in Boston and joined George Washington to announce the arrival of reinforcements.
In 18 months the insurgents, with the help of the young Frenchman, won several decisive victories and gained their independence.
More than 2 centuries later, in July 1997, the Association Hermione-La Fayette took up the formidable challenge of rebuilding this mythical frigate in its original form, opening the shipyard to the public to present 18th century shipbuilding techniques and sailing the ship across the seas so that it could be discovered by as many people as possible. Thus, after 17 years in the shipyard and 5 navigation campaigns, the Hermione is today visible in the Arsenal des Mers in Rochefort. The tour includes 1 exhibition on the history of the ship and 5 workshops allowing visitors to familiarise themselves with the world of shipyards.
Symbol of Franco-American fraternity and a vibrant living testimony of the country's naval history, the Hermione is the most famous ship in France. If she remains forever attached to the name of a man who proved his bravery and values by fighting alongside American insurgents, she is also the embodiment of the energy and passion of those who raised her from the ashes.
Discover all the secrets of the Hermione.
Bérengère for Comme des Français
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Let's stay with the naval theme:
- The construction site of a 17th century royal ship
- A lighthouse classified as a historical monument
- The video allowing to immerse oneself in these 2 sites
