The event

Reliving a great heritage story !
30 years ago, in 1979, Belem returned to France, two thirds of a century after she lowered her native colours.
30 years ago, the Caisses d'Epargne took into their charge the sole remaining flagship of France's great 19th century sailing fleet.
With their support, the Belem Foundation turned the old ship into a symbol of France's naval heritage and ensured her immense popularity by opening her up to a wide public.
2009 was therefore a perfect occasion to celebrate the outstanding heritage story of one of the oldest ships at sea!

Paul Le Bihan
President of the Belem Foundation

1979: Belem returns to France

1976: “Giorgio Cini”, once the Cini Foundation's school ship, was put on sale by Venice Shipyards. ASCANF, an association dedicated to the safeguard of old French ships, launched a campaign for the return to France of this particular three master, having recognized the ship as being in fact the last French 19th century sailing ship who exchanged her original colours for the British ones 60 years earlier when she was bought by the Duke of Westminster.

1980-2009: Belem, a figurehead of French naval heritage

Belem left Paris and the banks of the Seine in early 1980 for a trial journey along the Normandy and Brittany coast to Nantes. In 1986, Belem took to open sea for the first time since her return: she crossed the Atlantic to New York where she flew the flag for France in the Statue of Liberty's 100th anniversary celebrations.
Following a stay in Caen where the trainees' quarters in the battery were fitted out, in 1987 Belem was ready to take on her new career as a school ship sailing under French colours.
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