The Duchesse Anne

Standing as one of Dunkirk’s most iconic sights, the Duchesse Anne is truly something to behold—a towering three-masted sailing ship that holds the distinction of being the largest vessel of her kind in France that welcomes visitors aboard. Built in 1901, it offers a fascinating step back in time, allowing visitors to explore life on board and see the ship’s different quarters. It’s the last surviving square-rigged tall ship in France, and rightfully listed as a Historic Monument — a true gem of naval architecture. Back in the day, it was considered innovative, both in terms of safety and the quality of life it provided for the crew. Originally part of the German fleet, the ship was handed over to France as part of post-World War II reparations. It was then renamed Duchesse Anne, in honor of Anne of Brittany, who became Queen of France in the 15th century. Before that, it had served as a training vessel, used to teach young sailors the skills of navigation and life at sea. After a stint in Brest, where it provided lodging for sailors, it was moved to Dunkirk in 1981 and later restored as part of the Port Museum. Today, more than 120 years after it first set sail, the Duchesse Anne still captures the imagination of visitors from all over the world.