Since September 12, the Hermione was stuck in the commercial port of La Pallice in La Rochelle. The cause was a defective engine preventing the start of the regatta and keeping her in port. Engine tests were carried out after the installation of the two prototypes, which proved to be conclusive. Towed by two boats of the harbor, she joined the lock to begin her exit to the waves, with Jean-François Fountaine, the mayor of La Rochelle and Benedict Donnelly, the president of the Hermione-Lafayette association on board. She will now be able to resume her sea trials before reaching Bordeaux, where she is expected to make her first stop on October 7. But for the moment, engine tests are scheduled and will last at least 24 hours and will continue until October 2 under the control of the Maritime Affairs.
A stopover in Bordeaux to visit the frigate
The Hermione will therefore call at Bordeaux on October 7 instead of October 9 as initially planned. The frigate will therefore arrive in the Port of the Moon two days earlier. For five days, from October 8 to October 12, the people of Bordeaux will be able to visit the ship. The visits will last about 20 minutes, during which 100 people will discover the replica of the Lafayette frigate, for the modest sum of 5 euros.
