A remarkable tall ship, crewed by passionate sailors

An exceptional ship brought to life by passionate women and men: discover the unique features of Le Français and meet the crew who sail her every day while carrying out her mission of passing on maritime knowledge and traditions.

Characteristics of an exceptional three-masted barque

Le Français is a traditionally rigged three-masted barque and the last surviving example in France of the wooden, double-hulled Baltic Traders. A legacy of her early years in the icy waters of Greenland, her solid-oak double hull gives her exceptional strength and an unmistakable silhouette. This living piece of maritime heritage combines the elegance of the great sailing ships of the past with the demands of modern navigation.

Type: Three-masted barque

Length: 47 m

Beam: 8.20 m

Air draft: 32 m

Draft: 3.80 m

Sail area: 895 m²

Special feature: Double hull in solid oak

Displacement: 460 tonnes

Propulsion: 19 sails and a 500 hp Mitsubishi engine

Capacity:

Alongside: 150 passengers

At sea: 8 crew members and 100 passengers

Meet the crew of Le Français

Lead captain

Arnaud Goron shares command of the ship on a rotating basis. Drawing on his experience aboard tall ships, he oversees navigation and supports the training of trainees with commitment and care.

Relief captain

Olivier Mesnier takes command of the ship on a rotating basis and is responsible for safety on board. An experienced sailor and dedicated instructor, he shares his passion for traditional sailing and embodies the team spirit of Le Français.

Relief captain

Tugdual Jaouen is an experienced sailor and a recognised figure in the world of traditional sailing. With an in-depth knowledge of tall ships, he has built his career through numerous voyages in France and internationally.

First officer

Gildas Charbonnel coordinates manoeuvres and oversees the maintenance of the rigging. Attentive to the trainees, he supports their learning and helps ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the ship.

First Officer

Alban Cabanes coordinates manoeuvres and oversees the maintenance of the rigging. Attentive to the trainees, he supports their learning and helps ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the ship.

Technical and operations manager

Mickaël Chevereau oversees the ship’s technical and logistical operations. He coordinates maintenance and repair work and ensures compliance with safety standards, helping safeguard the long-term future of Le Français.

Chief Engineer

Gwendal Richard ensures the smooth operation of the engine room and all onboard systems. His technical expertise helps guarantee the ship’s reliability throughout every voyage.

Cook and deckhand

Valentin Bareau prepares generous, nourishing meals for the crew and trainees. He turns every meal into a moment of sharing and conviviality, using fresh, seasonal ingredients whenever possible

Boatswain (Bosun)

Baptiste Boyard is responsible for deck maintenance and helps foster team spirit on board. He trains trainees in traditional seamanship skills and ensures the strong sense of teamwork that defines life aboard Le Français.