Visiting L'Hermione

L’Hermione was a warship in service from 1779 to 1793. This frigate is famous for having carried the Marquis de Lafayette to the United States in 1780 on his second crossing, allowing him to join the American insurgents fighting for their independence.

In 1793, while L’Hermione was stationed at the mouth of the Loire to support Republican troops against the Vendéens, the frigate sank off the coast of Le Croisic.

In July 1997, the Association Hermione-La Fayette embarked on an extraordinary adventure: the full reconstruction of the frigate Hermione.

It is currently possible to visit the frigate at Rochefort (30 km from La Rochelle) before her departure on 4 April 2019 for the Normandy coast.

We highly recommend this visit — it’s fascinating and educational. You can watch volunteers at work and have a chat with the crew.