Monday, July 8, 2019 - 10:45 by ce-press
Held every five to six years, the Rouen Armada celebrations are taking place to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6.
For 10 days, around 700,000 people per day are expected to line the banks of the River Seine at Rouen, Normandy where 50 ships are in port. Big sailing ships, national navy vessels, sailors and crews will light up the city and its 7km of quays until June 16.
The first Rouen Armada was held 30 years ago in 1989, which was initially a tall ships festival to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution in 1989. Since then it has become one of the largest and most important dates in the seafaring calendar. At the last Rouen Armada in 2013, ships took part from 12 different nations and 8,000 of the ships’ sailors took part in city parades, together with concerts and firework displays every night.
Cruiseships will also play a part of in the festivities. Azamara Journey is in the centre of Rouen for three days, together with Cruise and Maritime Voyages’ Marco Polo (two calls) and Hapag Lloyd’s Europa.
In addition, there will be 18 river cruiseships in Rouen and a further six ocean cruiseships at Rouen’s Honfleur terminal along the River Seine estuary.
The date for the next Rouen Armada will be announced shortly and cruiseline planners will be informed in good time.
