Charente-Maritime: “We brought 'L'Hermione' to life and she brought us to life”

The topmen who sailed on "L'Hermione" experienced a unique, life-changing adventure. They want to share their emotions with all their heart to keep the dream alive and save "their" frigate.

Who is more legitimate than the topmen to talk about "L'Hermione"? And defend her while she waits in dry dock in Anglet, eaten away by fungus since 2023? Unimaginable for them that she will not return to sea. They are not controlled by the Hermione association, still seeking 5 million euros for repairs . No, they simply want to "put the human element back into the middle of political, egotistical, and financial discussions." Together, they discuss and it is their guts that speak so much "'L'Hermione' was a slap in the face and gave meaning to our lives, it is its very essence." Meeting with Anne Renault and Anthony de Lassée, spokespersons for the 500 topmen trained on the three-masted ship.

The duo is inexhaustible with passion, enthusiasm, and hope. Even strong words cannot convey the depth of their words. "We all have memories. What we experienced is so extraordinary that we crave these intense moments of awakening to life in 360° and we wish them for everyone. We brought "L'Hermione" to life and she brought us to life; it was a symbiosis," says Anne Renault, 56, from Fouras, a sailmaker since 2004 and a topman.

"L'Hermione" completely changed the life plan of Anthony de Lassée, 32, from Paris, a topman from 2014 to 2016. "When I turned 21, I didn't know much about life. I was going to go to business school. Thanks to this unique, human, and supportive experience on "L'Hermione," I understood that my goal wasn't to make money but to make my dreams come true. And I changed direction."

The best part is that all of this fell on them without warning. “The lives of everyone who sailed on “L'Hermione” were turned upside down: new studies, divorces, marriages, babies, career changes, depression at the end of the voyage when you have to leave your bubble and reconnect with the world. The experience gave us answers to unexpected questions. It's so unique: you find yourself living 24/7 with people you don't know, but the cohesion is so strong that you end up discussing intimate subjects with them that you never share. At sea, you don't lie because others lay us bare. “L'Hermione” allowed us to anchor ourselves in reality and understand what is precious,” continues Anthony, still with stars in his eyes.

“The Hermione” allowed us to anchor ourselves in reality and understand what is precious.

And yet, the sailing wasn't always easy. "We had fun, but we struggled, it was exhausting, not exactly "The Fun Cruise" ! Standing in the middle of a storm for 24 hours, I wanted to give up everything," Anne remembers. Yet the topmen's logbooks speak for themselves: "it's the best of my life" or "my greatest pride is 'L'Hermione'" - not insignificant.

There's also solidarity on board, and it continues. "Alone on a boat, you can't do anything, neither raise the mainsail nor hold the helm. Everyone has their role. "The Hermione" is the ideal life in society: we all need each other and everyone must find their place," Anthony enthuses. Anne continues, still amazed: "It's excellent therapy, the school of real life, not of a virtual world! When I repair the mainsail with my little needle 45 meters above the ocean, I'm out of time and free, and it all still has meaning for me! I found myself a sailor when I wasn't, who would have predicted that, for goodness' sake?"

Excellent therapy, the school of real life, not of a virtual world

And now? It would be over, they would have to throw everything away? Impossible. "What to do with these accumulated treasures, this unique material that just asks to be shared? There aren't many subjects on which emotions remain intact," Anne puts it on the table. Anthony continues: "We want to make people dream and save 'L'Hermione' for all it brings. In 1997, 'L'Hermione' was born from a dream after all!" Anne continues: "Yet some predicted that it would sink. We still covered more than 22,000 miles, around the world, in other words!"

For the topmen, dwelling on the mushrooms "is fueling resentment, it doesn't move the debate forward." Despite the recent abandonment of the Rochefort Agglomeration "when "L'Hermione" needs it most," they are coming together "to do something with all our energy." "Our intention comes from the heart: we don't want to convince people to collect money. We just want "L'Hermione" to return to sea in the name of human adventure." This frigate is THEIR boat and they want others to be able to say it after them.