It goes without saying but we shall say it nonetheless: Belem's four-day trip to Cork at the end of June was an unmitigated success! Well, to be absolutely and totally honest, it was more like 99% unmitigated – we could have done with a few more members of the public on board during visiting days but the absentees had a good... well, let's say credible, excuse: they were in Waterford goggling at the boats competing in the Tall Ship Race...
But apart from that, everything went swimmingly, from Belem's leaving Lorient on June 27th to her arrival in Cork harbour and her subsequent departure for Roscoff on July 1st. Trainees of all ages got on together like a house on fire, including well-known French authors, Maylis de Kérangal and Olivier Sebban, who came on board at the invitation of the Belem Foundation to participate in a Franco-Irish literary event – a book reading - organised in Cork by the Alliance Française. Preceding this event, a reception on board Belem was the occasion for Captain Jean-Alain Morzadec and his crew (which included three young women, Charlène, Delphine and Marine) to greet a guest of honour, the Lord Mayor of Cork, CllirTerry Shannon.
Another memorable event took place a few days later, when Belem, upon her return to France, sailed to Royan, north of Bordeaux, to take part in the celebrations organised for the 400th anniversary of the very beautiful Cordouan lighthouse; the most moving moment was when Belem was greeted and accompanied by the complete flotilla of Pen Duick sailing boats (they were conceived and created by Eric Tabarly, one of France most famous record-setting yachtsmen). After which, Belem continued her way to the south, heading the Mediterranean and the next lap of her season.
And last but not least, we are delighted to announce the publication by the French Museum of Maritime History and the Belem Foundation of the latest and most well-documented book on the history of France oldest sailing ship: “Belem. Un trois-mâts de légende”.
Even if your French is not totally fluent, you will definitely enjoy the beautiful photography, especially the charming and lively pictures illustrating Belem's British period (1914-1951) many of which were kindly offered by descendants of cruise members and guests on board the ship before the Second World War.
For photographs of Belem's stay in Cork,
click hereFor a presentation of the book “Belem. Un trois-mâts de légende”,
click here
Chez ceux qui connaissent et apprécient le Belem comme ceux qui ont envie de le découvrir, « Belem, un trois-mâts de légende » trouvera tout naturellement sa place sur les rayonnages de leurs bibliothèques. Né d'un partenariat entre le Musée de la Marine et la Fondation Belem, ce joli livre aux dimensions très maniables offre au lecteur un récit aussi vivant et passionnant que les images qui l'accompagnent.
Le Belem a terminé en beauté sa saison sur les côtes ouest avec une navigation à caractère de quasi rituel vers les côtes d'Irlande, puis 2 stages pour rejoindre Royan qui fêtait un monument du patrimoine maritime mondial : le phare de Cordouan a 400 ans cette année. 
