Set sail for the Rouen Armada
in 2023

The Rouen Armada is one of the largest gathering of tall ships in the world, attracting several million visitors and sailing enthusiasts to the capital city of Normandy for 10 days. Some of the most admired ships – ever build – will sail up the meanders of the Seine to take part in a momentous get together and celebration in Rouen.

The Seine waterfront, in the heart of the city, truly comes alive with sailors, musicians, artists, exhibitions, arts and crafts and food stalls, whilst the crowds discover and visit the various vessels aboard. Short excursions by boat on the Seine visit the ships so that you can have a water’s perspective of these beauties.

Exceptional ships
from various countries

The event is free for all and will run for ten days, from the 8^th to the 18^th of June in 2023 and will be the 8^th edition of this extremely anticipated event on the French calendar.

Alongside the tall ships and sailing ships, modern warships, training sailboats, old rigs and other exceptional boats from various countries will be docked on the lively waterfront in the heart of the city for all to enjoy. Regular visitors to our port include the mythological ship l’Hermione, a reconstructed 18^th century frigate, Le Belem, the last French three-masted square-rigger afloat, the Cisne Branco from Brazil, the second largest sailing ship in the world, the Krusenstern and the British aptly-named Tenacious, a three-master, constructed to be crewed by the physically disabled (the blind, visually impaired and those who are wheelchaired bound).

Festivities
and free concerts

For this new edition, we can already foresee the highlights to come as in the previous editions. The Sailors’ Mass draws in thousand of worshipers to pay homage to all sailors and crews across the globe, and was performed by the Archbishop of Rouen in 2019. The Crew Parade, when all of the visiting sailors dress up in their official uniforms and parade down the streets of the city for everyone to enjoy.

Open air concerts will be organized every evening by the Normandy Region, bringing some of the most famous stars in the world onto stage. Previous editions saw the likes of Iggy Pop, Mika and Madness warming up the excited crowds. Finally, breath-taking firework displays ends off the festivities on the quays every evening. For those who are still in the mood to party, the downtowns’ night clubs and bars’ doors and terraces will be open late to welcome all.

Lastly, but certainly the highlight after 10 days of festivities, The Grand Parade, when all the ships set sail down the Seine towards Honfleur and say their farewell to this unforgettable event. 

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