Many festivities are planned for the arrival of the frigate. With the ship, the city will affirm its long history of friendship with the United States, which began with the American War of Independence in the 18th century.
When our voyage was announced in 2013, François Cuillandre, the Mayor of Brest, immediately gave us his support. It is a natural port for the return of the Hermione. Its military history, which has seen thousands of ships built in its Arsenal, its important role in the War of Independence, its maritime festivals and its harbour make Brest a natural setting for the Hermione. For her return in 2015 and as flagship during Brest 2016
adds Benedict Donnelly.
After leaving the island of Aix on April 18, it is time for the replica of La Fayette's ship to return home. While she benefited from downwind conditions on the way out, in a gentle trade wind regime, the return journey is likely to be different. On this route of the mythical Atlantic record under sail, between New York and Lizard Cape, the weather conditions are very variable. The crew may even encounter icebergs off Newfoundland. So they will have to deal with them to reach the tip of Brittany in 17 days.
"All the Hermione-La Fayette association accompanies you by the heart and the thought in this crossing of the North Atlantic. Good wind, good luck and take care of yourselves ! We will be waiting for you all in Brest on August 10th ! This is the message of support sent to the crew as they set sail from Saint Pierre by Benedict Donnelly, president of the Hermione-La Fayette Association, owner and operator of the Hermione.
Brest, a port with a common history with the Hermione
Since the 16th century, Brest has been the largest French military port and the port of departure for explorers. In the 18th century, it was one of the largest ports in the world along with London. It played a big role in the American War of Independence.
At the end of his first trip to North America, La Fayette returned to Brest on February 6, 1779. He discovered an arsenal of 12,000 people, while the city had 20,000 inhabitants. It was from Brest that the Marquis went to Versailles to plead the cause of the American insurgents before the king.
The Hermione was built in Rochefort and had been sailing for a few months when she called at Brest. She made her first entry into the harbor on September 18, 1779, under the command of La Touche-Tréville. She stayed there for 2 weeks.
La Fayette will leave for North America, from the island of Aix on April 18, 1780, on board the Hermione. A fleet from Brest will join the frigate off the coast of Brittany to sail to Boston.
Again, in May 1781, Brest played a role in the War of Independence. New reinforcements left from the tip of Brittany aboard a squadron of 6000 men under the command of the Marquis de Rochambeau. It was in this way that Washington gained the upper hand over the English in the decisive victory at Yorktown on October 18, 1781.
Once peace was signed and American independence was achieved in 1783, La Fayette's third voyage to the United States in 1784 lasted four months. He returned to France aboard "La Nymphe", a 32-gun French frigate, which left New York on December 21, 1784 and arrived in Brest on January 20, 1785. This was his last visit to the Breton city.
Many festivities to celebrate the arrival of the frigate
During its stopover in Brest, the Hermione will welcome the public from August 10 to 17. On this occasion, the first ticket of the 2016 Brest Maritime Festival will be given to Commander Yann Cariou. This will mark the opening of the ticket office to the public.
After four months of voyage, it will be the occasion for the sailors of the ship to share their memories and emotions, through a program rich in animation.
The program for the Brest stopover includes concerts, exhibitions, theater and street art, workshops for youngsters, and round tables on maritime themes in the festival village. Not to mention the ship's tours, for which tickets are on sale online on the City of Brest website.
