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Faster, higher, stronger. Built at the end of the 19th century, Belem is no longer old enough to adopt the Olympic motto.
The record that can still boast of this “old lady”, as her commander Aymeric Gibet affectionately calls her, is that of longevity.
And at more than 125 years old, the famous French three-masted barque, classified as an ancient monument in 1984, is doing well in this area.
To the point of being selected to carry the Olympic flame (1) from Athens to the spring in Marseille!
“It’s a compliment and a recognition,” says Christelle Hug de Larauze, general delegate of the Belém-Caisse d’Epargne Foundation. “It’s a source of pride,” adds Aymeric Gibet.
But before being caught on camera around the world, following its arrival in the Phocaean city on May 8, the last major French ship is being renovated at La Seyne-sur-Mer.
There is no secret: in order for the Belem to continue sailing, so that future generations can still appreciate it in a hundred years’ time, it will be necessary to maintain it.
“The annual budget for sailing the ship is €3 million, part of which is financed through the Caisse d’Epargne. It’s the biggest sponsorship in France,” says Christelle Hug de Larauze, whose mission is to reach the other million and beyond.
Fortunately, this year the maintenance paints are lighter. Nothing to do with the “courtyard of the century”, built in Saint-Nazaire in 2022-2023, whose keel component, at the height of the engine room, had to be replaced!
“This year, it’s all about ensuring that the boat is as beautiful as possible for the big parade planned in Marseille. Of course, there are mechanics on board who take care of the overhaul of the pumps, engines and turbines, but we particularly value the merit. “We took advantage of the good Mediterranean weather to bring out the paintings and varnish the paintings (seven layers). The carpenters also redid the old caulking of the bridge. Finally, we unrig the sails to check them and, if necessary, fix them,” explains the captain.
If we are still waiting for the resumption of sailing (foreseeably on March 11), “the tension is starting to increase,” acknowledges Aymeric Gibet, who still does not fully know what the Olympic flame will bring.
Christelle Hug de Larauze is completely in favor of the symbolism of the games. “In just a few weeks, the occupancy rate of our sailing legs has reached 60%. I’ve never noticed it before!”
On the way to Athens, the stages from Sète to Olbia and from Catania to Olympia are already full. But I don’t even want to dream of going up to the Bethlehem while it brings back the flame. This 12-day non-stop sailing is marketed.
“The Belém – Caisse d’Epargne Foundation aims to help society. And in this adventure between Athens and Marseilles, in addition to the guardians of the flame, we will participate in fifteen explorers, young people from the priority neighborhoods who have completed their integration. stages, adding a young Greek, a young user from Marseille and a young user from Seine-Saint-Denis, the birthplace of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” explains Christelle Hug de Larauze, who enjoys the existing Belem-mania.
“The Foundation has been fighting for this shipment for more than 40 years. The enthusiasm it arouses gives meaning to this choice. “
1. La France métropolitaine ne sera pas la seule à accueillir la flamme olympique. Ses Outre-mer en profiteront également. Et c’est un autre voilier – le maxi-trimaran Banque Populaire XI – qui y apportera le symbole des Jeux de Paris 2024.
Before setting sail for Greece, the three-masted French ship will welcome the public on March 16 and 17 at the Quai de los Angeles Corse in Toulon (commercial port), and then on March 23 and 24 in Antibes.
At the same time, from 26 to 31 March, the Belem will take part, in neighbouring Occitania, in the meeting of maritime traditions in the Mediterranean: a stopover in Sète.
Il faudra alors attendre le 8 mai, et l’arrivée de la flamme à Marseille, pour voir cette “cathédrale de toile” fréquenter à nouveau les rivages de Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
Finally, for those who will not be able to walk on the bridge of this historic monument, the Chasse-Marée, a magazine committed to the maritime world, prepares a special factor entirely dedicated to Belém.
Site Information fondationbelem. com
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