History of the Armada.

The Armada de Rouen is the world's biggest gathering of tall ships — and it grew from a single transatlantic race. Here is how nine editions turned the quays of the Seine into a global maritime festival.

The origin (1986–1989)

The idea was born after a 1986 Rouen–New York race marking the centenary of the Statue of Liberty's Atlantic crossing. Its success convinced founders Patrick Herr and Jean Lecanuet to bring the world's great sailing ships to Rouen for the bicentenary of the French Revolution.

The nine editions

• 1989 — Voiles de la Liberté. The first edition, for the Revolution's bicentenary; 21 tall ships, with Éric Tabarly and his Pen Duick as patron.
• 1994 — Armada de la Liberté. Marking the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.
• 1999 — Armada du Siècle. The "Armada of the century" closed the millennium and drew around two million visitors.
• 2003 — Armada Rouen 2003. The event cements itself as a fixture of the Seine.
• 2008. The new Pont Flaubert lifts to let the ships through for the first time.
• 2013. Held in June for the first time; the giant Kruzenshtern stuns the crowds.
• 2019. The replica frigate Hermione joins the fleet.
• 2023 — 8th edition. Ships including Dar Młodzieży and Cuauhtémoc; millions on the quays.
• 2027 — 9th edition. The next Armada, 17–27 June 2027 — see what's expected to attend.

A festival, not a ticket

From the start the Armada has been free: anyone can walk the quays and board the ships. Each edition ends with the Grande Parade, when the fleet sails down the Seine towards Honfleur and Le Havre. Organised by the "Armada de la Liberté" association and hundreds of volunteers, it now draws around five million visitors — the largest free maritime gathering on the planet.

Planning to come? Start with the 2027 dates and how to plan your visit.