A large festive and popular maritime gathering
In 2019, the Rouen Armada coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy. This major maritime gathering is usually held every five years. But this year, it takes place six years after the previous one (2013), to fit into the calendar of Sail Training International, organizer of the Tall Ships Regatta, which will start on Monday June 17.
An anniversary edition
It will also be the 30th anniversary of the event, the first edition of which was held from July 9 to July 16, 1989. Called Voiles de la liberté at the time, it celebrates the bicentenary of the French Revolution. And there are already 21 tall ships, including the British Kaskelot and the French Belem.
10 days of celebration on the Seine and the quays
50 of the world's most beautiful sailing ships will moor from June 6 to 16 on the 7 km of quays in the port of Rouen. Tall ships, buildings, navies, sailors and crews, fireworks, concerts, exhibitions will punctuate these 10 days of festive and popular gathering that awaits hundreds of thousands of spectators.
Not to mention the highlight of the show, the great parade on the Seine, which will be held throughout the 10 days, visitors can board one of the 22 boats that cruise the Seine for various highlights: commented walk, a lunch or dinner cruise.
The arrival of large ships
Between 5 and 6 am, the Flaubert bridge will rise to leave the most beautiful sailing ships in the world, which will sail up the Seine. A new arrival salvo - for those who are late - will take place in the evening from 9pm to midnight. The Hermione will join the celebration on Friday 7 June at 9 pm.
The highlights of the Armada
The sunday June 9th will be devoted to the Sailors' Mass . Organized at 10:30 am, it brings together thousands of people and is a true seafarers' tradition.
The wednesday, June 12 is the large crew parade from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dressed in their formal clothes, they will wander the streets of the city to the rhythm of music and bands.
The saturday 15 June is a day sportive?! This is the great jogging by sailors that breaks out on the docks.
If there's one day not to miss, it's this one. The sunday 16 June - last day of the Armada - is a day of great spectacle. Starting at 10:30 a.m., all sailboats will leave the docks for the big parade along Rouen to the estuary. The Flaubert Bridge will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the French patrol will greet these large ships by flying over the Seine.
Every day, visitors will be able to visit the boats, participate in events ashore, or embark for sailing on the Seine. In the evening, concerts and fireworks will be held on the quays.
