This Friday, the three-masted ship Belem moored at the port of Nice. It’s a significant arrival for the people of Nice, who will discover a monument of French navigation over the course of two days.
The Belem is docked at the port of Nice. Over the weekend, the three-masted ship and its crew will welcome the people of Nice to explore the vessel and its history.
Christian Estrosi personally welcomed the king of the seas: “It is a ship that belongs to the history of French navigation, a training ship, a ship that exudes magic every time we see it ply the waters of the Mediterranean, especially when it comes to meet us here in this Lympia basin at the port of Nice.” In total, 13 ports will host the vessel, the sole survivor of the great sailing ships of the 19th century.
The Belem is considered an ambassador of its flag. It represents France and its maritime traditions during gatherings of great sailing ships. The 2019 season announces 3 major events including the Debords de Loire, the Armada of Rouen, and the Tall Ships Regatta between Rouen and Aalborg in Denmark.
From a Monument to a Training Ship
The Belem is above all a historical monument. It was one of the first ships to be classified as a historical monument in France in 1984. The Belem is also a school of the sea. The Belem Foundation decided in 1980 that the ship would return to sea as a civil training ship open to the general public. It is considered the oldest sailing ship in the world to host the public for offshore navigation or sailing on the open sea. Notably, the iconic three-masted ship has embarked 35,000 sailors over 30 years.
Converted into coastal trading (the transportation of goods or passengers over a short distance), the Belem offers apprentice sailor courses for those over 14. It’s an opportunity to dive into the world of navigation and participate in life on board among a crew of 16 professional sailors led by Captain Gweltaz Thirion.
In 2016, the Belem celebrated its 120th anniversary with the city of Nantes. For now, the new course for the ship and its crew is the port of Marseille.
