The Armada

They say all roads lead to Rome, right? Well, then, you could also say all oceans lead to Rouen – but only for about ten days every four to six years. And why is that? That’s how long it takes for the Armada to make its comeback to the capital of Normandy. But what is Armada exactly? Let’s start by saying it’s a major, must-see event in the region. Imagine a parade of the finest ships and sailboats from all over the world right here, on the banks of the Seine. But how did this spectacular event come to be? Well, to answer this, we have to backtrack to the previous century. That’s right, we won’t go that far back! It all started with Rouen’s mayor, Jean Lecanuet, who wanted to breathe new life into the city’s neglected docks. His deputy, Patrick Herr, had a crazy idea: a transatlantic race from Rouen to New York to commemorate the centennial of the stopover of the Statue of Liberty in Rouen in 1986. Who would have thought it would be such a massive hit? Crowds flocked to the streets and riverbanks to watch the boats sail away and enjoy the parade of majorettes and American-style convertibles. Thus were born the “Voiles de la Liberté,” followed by the “Armada de la Liberté” in 1994, the “Armada du Siècle” in 1999, the “Armada de Rouen” in 2003 and finally the “Armada tout court” in 2008. And each time, there are more and more different types of vessels. Today, you can marvel at everything from sailboats and ships to submarines and barges. Plus, you can hop aboard for free on one of the guided tours offered during the day. The city truly comes alive with some 8,000 French and foreign sailors mingling with locals and tourists. The best part? It’s completely free! Countless ships, concerts, fireworks … Frankly, what more could you ask for?