Frigate "L'Hermione"
Highlights
Produced by:
© 2023
Produced by:
© 2023
Maritime history enthusiasts founded the Hermione-Lafayette association in 1992 with a visionary goal: to faithfully rebuild a late 18th-century frigate in the heart of Rochefort’s historic arsenal.
Years of intense preparation followed: gathering historical sources, the painstaking reconstruction of plans, and the search for the right craftsmen. The reconstruction of this symbolic ship is far more than technical—it is the reclamation of a maritime heritage that has shaped the identity of an entire region for centuries.
The historic arsenal in Rochefort – Home port of the L'Hermione.
At the end of the 18th century, France’s fleet competed fiercely with the Royal Navy for colonial supremacy. The uprising of the 13 American colonies provided the perfect opportunity to weaken England. During this time, the military industry in Rochefort was in full swing—in 1779 alone, four frigates were commissioned, laying the foundation for a fleet of 13 ships of this class.
Today, a new future is being built in Rochefort. At the "L'Hermione" shipyard, programs have been established to revive ancient shipbuilding skills and make them useful for the seafaring of tomorrow. For us, it is a fascinating discovery of our neighbor’s history.