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In 2026, the Belem will be 130 years old. An exceptional longevity for this three-master, which continues to sail in France and Europe, with a program of embarkations open to the general public. This anniversary season is also an opportunity to look back at the ship's outstanding features, life on board and the organization that keeps her seaworthy, through an interview with her captain Aymeric Gibet.
A busy coastal tour
In 2026, the Belem will embark on an extensive tour of French and European ports. From Le Havre to Sète, via Brest, Marseille, Barcelona, Lisbon, Amsterdam and Oslo, there will be numerous ports of call. The ship will visit the shores of the Mediterranean, Atlantic, English Channel and North Sea.
This ambitious program takes place over several months. It includes two complete circumnavigations of the Iberian peninsula, enabling the yacht to visit major ports and cities less accustomed to welcoming a three-masted ship of this size. These sailings will also offer embarkation opportunities to the public, notably for young people supported by the Belem Foundation's partner associations.
A stable structure and well-oiled machinery
At 58 meters long and 8.80 meters wide, the Belem displaces a significant volume, with a sail area of over 1,200 square meters. The ship's management is based on rigorous organization. The permanent crew comprises sixteen sailors, on rotation, with sailing periods of 45 days. It is completed by four shore crew members employed by the Belem Foundation.
The ship is designed to accommodate up to 48 trainees per sailing, in shared cabins. Comfort standards are modern, with hot water, heating, air conditioning, and special attention paid to food quality. Regular ports of call provide fresh supplies.
The Belem as a training ship open to all
The Belem retains its vocation as a civilian training ship. She welcomes trainees from the age of 14, with no entry requirements. The aim is to pass on maritime culture and know-how, as well as traditional sailing experiences. For the 2026 season, 130 young people selected through associations will embark to symbolize the ship's anniversary.
Life on board is organized around watches and collective tasks. The crew trains trainees in maneuvering, watchkeeping and life on board. The diversity of the profiles on board is a rich source of enrichment, creating a unique alchemy on every voyage.
Captain Aymeric Gibet: background and views
Commander of the Belem since 2016, Aymeric Gibet has known the ship since the 2000s. Having passed through every position on the bridge, from lieutenant to captain, he claims a realistic and committed approach to command. On board, he appreciates transitional moments such as the morning watch, when the boat gently wakes up.
He reminds us that port maneuvers remain the most tense moments on board. Weather conditions, currents or infrastructure can complicate docking. On the other hand, moments of wonder often come unexpectedly, such as a low-angled light on deck or entering a fjord.
A floating monument, between history and transmission
Built in Nantes in 1896, the Belem is one of the last great 19th century sailing ships still in operation. Classified as a historic monument, she has had several lives, from cargo ship to English yacht, before being acquired by the Caisse d'Épargne in 1979, then entrusted to the Fondation Belem in 1980.
This foundation oversees the maintenance and heritage mission of the ship. Sailing trips organized each year give over 1,000 people a unique experience at sea, on a three-masted vessel managed according to 21st-century standards.
The Belem can't be visited like a museum. And for those who embark, it's often a seminal experience.
