After Marseille, the Hermione continues its journey in the Mediterranean. Since 20 April, she has been in Port-Vendres, in the eastern Pyrenees. Fortified by Vauban and named "port of war" by Louis XIV, the port would have already had a link in the past with the famous frigate. Indeed, even if this is the first time that the replica of La Fayette's ship comes here, historians explain that the link between the port and the ship would date back to the American War of Independence. In the city, a monument erected under Louis XVI pays homage to the alliance between France and America, and bears the design of a frigate that strongly resembles that of the Hermione .
As everywhere she arrives, the Hermione was greeted with fanfare on the water, by dozens of boats that came to celebrate her arrival, before being guided by the pilot to the Republic quay, to music! A 3-day stopover, punctuated by visits, free activities organised on the quays (rope and seamanship workshops led by the former fishermen of Port-Vendres, the National Navy podium, the Accrovoile [to climb into the shrouds like the Hermione's gabiers!], the antiques fair [17th century and marine trend], exhibitions, a book and rose festival, the producers' market [on 21 and 22 April]...).
The highlight of this stopover on the Hermione: the evening of Saturday 21 April with a proposed mapping at 9.45 pm, 10.30 pm and 10.45 pm, projected on the church of Notre Dame de Bonne Nouvelle, a sound and light show "Port-Vendres, Histoire en images" and an exceptional fireworks display on the lake at nightfall.
On Sunday 22nd April, at the end of the day at 6 pm, the famous three-masted ship will set sail again. Heading for Nice (April 25th) then Bastia from April 27th to 29th.
