A Gabare steeped in history
Built in 1945 at the Keraudren shipyard in Camaret-sur-Mer, Notre-Dame de Rumengol is a sturdy 21.70-meter-long dundee-rigged gabare. Named after a famous Marian shrine located in the commune of Le Faou in Finistère, she is cut out to tackle the seas of Brittany and carry any cargo useful for coastal needs.
In her early days, she sailed between the Atlantic shores, carrying wood from the Monts d'Arrée, wine from the Algerian hillsides to Port-Vendres, pink onions to England, and crunchy salt from the Noirmoutier marshes. She soon specialized in "sand fishing": the crew maneuvered the "crapaud", a trailing bucket, to scrape the bottom of roadsteads and estuaries. The sand is then dumped into the vast hold and unloaded on the quays of Brest, Châteaulin or Landerneau. She also loads maerl, the calcareous seaweed used by Breton ploughmen to amend the soil.
From scuttling to rebirth
In 1980, the old gabare's trading career came to an end. The engine still purred, but the deck creaked and abandonment loomed. However, in 1981, a handful of passionate sailors founded the association "An Test" (Le témoin in French) to give her a new lease of life. Saved, Notre-Dame de Rumengol left the industrial docks to devote itself to yachting and the transmission of seafaring know-how.
Her classification as a historic monument in 1991 marked official recognition of her heritage value. In 1996, she underwent a major refit at the Guip shipyard in Brest: a rejuvenating treatment that made her fit to sail again.
A living sailboat, an embarked memory
Since then, Notre-Dame de Rumengol has taken to the sea again each season. Three professional sailors man the boat, and passengers take an active part in navigation: hoisting the canvas, easing the sheet, steering to leeward. Each cruise becomes a suspended moment, a plunge into life aboard the old coasters.
The vast central hold, now modular, can be transformed into a reception area, reception hall or transmission center. Far from a simple floating décor, the gabare embodies a living part of Brittany's maritime heritage.
2024: A major overhaul to set course for the future
As she approaches her 80th birthday, Notre-Dame de Rumengol has been undergoing a major restoration program at the chantier du Guip since 2024: dismasting, rudder overhaul, replacement of tired planking and ribs, rework of living and dead parts. On deck, volunteers are repainting, caulking and pampering.
La Semaine du Golfe 2025: Women at the helm
From May 26 to June 1, 2025, Notre-Dame de Rumengol sets sail in the Gulf of Morbihan for the 13th edition of the Semaine du Golfe. On board, a 100% female crew: Inès Garcia at the helm, assisted by Gwenaëlle Glotin and Chrystelle Bernard. Together, they assert the place of women in the traditional navy, without folklore or demonstration, but with the simplicity and mastery of those who know how to sail.
An anniversary afloat and ashore
On Saturday June 28, 2025, the gabare will blow out its 80 candles at a major maritime festival in Plougastel-Daoulas. More than 70 old rigs are expected to take part, and the quays will vibrate to the rhythm of binnacles, sea shanties and clanging hulls.
The day's events will combine entertainment on land and parades at sea. Fans of old riggings will find misainiers, goémoniers, yoles, langoustiniers and exceptional sailboats in a great nautical ballet.
Technical specifications
- Type : Gabare
- Rigging : Dundee (5 sails, 200 m²)
- Total length: 21.70 m
- Hull length: 18.77 m
- Main beam: 6.54 m
- Draft: 2.20 m
- Engine: Baudouin DK6 (120 HP)
- Cruising speed: 8 knots
- Crew: 1 skipper, 2 deckhands
- Capacity: up to 27 day passengers, 11 cruise passengers, 80 dockside passengers
- Home port: Brest
