The sinago Jean et Jeanne, emblem of the town of Séné, continues its heritage mission thanks to the unfailing commitment of the association "Un Sinago pour Séné". This traditional schooner-rigged sailboat criss-crosses the Gulf of Morbihan with one mission: to pass on nautical know-how and keep alive the memory of sailors of yesteryear. Jean et Jeanne is a real link between the generations, enabling younger sailors to discover ancestral navigation, while older sailors rediscover the gestures and vocabulary of seafarers. Its roots in local history have earned it a place in the Parc Naturel Régional du Golfe du Morbihan and the Bateau d'Intérêt Patrimonial label. By inviting the curious and enthusiasts on board, the association ensures that Jean et Jeanne is not just a relic of the past, but a dynamic player in the present and future of the Golfe du Morbihan.
A boat of memory and tradition
The story of Jean et Jeanne goes back to 1988, when the construction project was initiated by a group of young sea enthusiasts nicknamed "Les amis du Crabe rouge". With the support of Jean-Pierre Le Couvéour and Le Chasse-Marée magazine, they set out to rebuild a traditional Sinago based on a 1905 boat found in the Montsarrac cove.
In 1992, Jean et Jeanne won a prize in the French coastal boat competition. Since then, she has sailed the waters of the Golfe du Morbihan thanks to the "Un Sinago pour Séné" association. A strong bond now unites Jean and Jeanne with the people of Sené, themselves known as the Sinagot and Sinagotes, in reference to the fishing community of the time when men and women took part in the activities on board. As one of the last surviving traditional fishing boats, the association invited former Sinagot sailors to sail on Jean et Jeanne, in order to rediscover the nautical vocabulary used in days gone by. Thanks to its heritage value, this Sinago is part of the Parc Naturel Régional du Golfe du Morbihan and is recognized as a Bateau d'Intérêt Patrimonial.
A sinago saved by mobilization
After more than three decades on the water, Jean et Jeanne needed to be refurbished. An initial renovation project began in 2022 at the Blatrix shipyard in Baden. This work, entrusted to a team of marine carpenters led by François Blatrix, Adriana Tep, Loïc Siat and Ludovic Harruis, included renovation of the boat's structure as well as replacement of the sails. The restoration was a real collective project involving the association's volunteers and the participation of students from the Vannes IUT. To finance the work, an appeal for donations was launched, accompanied by various events: concerts, visits to the shipyard and exhibitions. This mobilization enabled the sinago to be ready for the Semaine du Golfe 2023, a key event at which it proudly represented the town of Séné.
The association invites all those, whether experienced sailors or simple lovers of Breton heritage, to join its ranks: " We're always in need of hands to help with boat maintenance, ideas for our events, and new members to carry on this fine tradition. "
A boat that brings people together and teaches
Since its restoration, the "Un Sinago pour Séné" association has been looking after Jean and Jeanne by organizing sea outings open to a wide public. Notable initiatives include the "women sailors" outings, which showcase women in a nautical world that is still all too often gendered. The association also organizes cultural events, visits and exhibitions to raise awareness of this heritage. Jean et Jeanne thus embodies a genuine link between the generations, and each sea outing takes the form of an immersion in Breton nautical history and an encounter with a disappearing craft.
Following the success of the Semaine du Golfe 2023, the association is already looking ahead to the 13th edition in 2025, to be held from Monday May 26 to Sunday June 1. Between now and then, further maintenance work is planned to ensure the boat's longevity, and a training program will be stepped up to pass on sailing and maintenance techniques to the next generation.
