A not-to-be-missed event in Normandy for sailboat and old-rigger enthusiasts, the Rouen Armada is set to return in 2027 for a ninth edition.
The Armada will be back in 2027! For 10 days, hundreds of sailors take over the city for this unique event. Every edition, thousands of visitors will once again invade the quays to admire the most beautiful and largest sailing ships in the world moored in the city's port, just a few steps from Rouen's historic centre.
As in the last edition, the 50 boats, which also include modern warships, school sailing ships, old riggings and other exceptional boats, will sail up the Seine for 120 kilometres to reach the capital of Normandy. Visits to the ships are entirely free throughout the event.
The sailors' mass, the parade of crews and the grand parade are also on the programme. The latter will take place on the closing day of the event on the quays of the Seine.
Throughout the Armada event, there will also be numerous activities on the quays: concerts, fireworks every evening and parades will be on the agenda. An event not to be missed!
An eco-responsible event
To raise awareness among the many visitors - 6 million expected - of environmental issues such as the protection of rivers and oceans, a scientific symposium with a programme of conferences aimed at the general public will be held on 8 June.
The event aims to be eco-responsible, with a number of sustainable commitments: selective sorting of waste (litter bins and ashtrays on the quays, waste water collection, guide to good practice for crews), elimination of the sale of plastic bottles. The organisers also want to reduce the event's carbon footprint by encouraging soft mobility: setting up a partnership with the SNCF to encourage visitors to come by train, use of bicycles and electric or hybrid vehicles for staff. Most of the ships will also be connected directly to the electricity grid instead of using generators.
