Hermione on the hunt for 2.2 million

The Hermione – La Fayette association is once again doing everything in its power to finalise its restructuring plan. On 1 October, the court granted a further six-month extension, running until 14 April 2027.

Until then, the association – which was placed under judicial reorganisation in September 2025 – has set itself the target of raising 2.2 million euros: 1.5 million to resume the restoration of the frigate, which has been in dry dock in Anglet, near Bayonne, since 2021, and 700,000 euros for ongoing maintenance. A renewed appeal has been made to individuals and businesses to make (tax-deductible) donations. Once this sum has been raised, a further 3.5 million euros will still need to be found to complete the restoration of the ship’s hull, as explained by Managing Director Émilie Beau during a press conference in Bordeaux.

Mould

The association ran into financial difficulties after mould was discovered in the wooden ship, which was damaging the hull. This led to the restoration of the Hermione being put on hold; work on the ship had begun in the spring of 1997 in Rochefort (Charente-Maritime). Seventeen years have passed between the laying of the keel and the sea trials of the replica of the frigate that carried the Marquis de La Fayette to the United States in 1780 during the American War of Independence.

The construction of the square-rigged three-masted ship, 65 metres long and 11 metres wide, with a mainmast rising 54 metres above the keel and featuring 2,200 m² of sail area spread across 17 linen sails, provided work for hundreds of people, both volunteers and professionals, for many years. In 2015, the frigate undertook its maiden voyage, following La Fayette’s historic route in support of American independence.

5 million invested

Since 2022, more than 5 million euros have already been invested, enabling 50 per cent of the work to be carried out, the association states on its website. That creates obligations.
“If we were to give up now, it would not only mean that years of joint efforts would be undone and that the investments already made would be lost, but also that an exceptional ship, the result of decades of work and passion, would be left to decay.

Just as Notre-Dame de Paris has been brought back to life in five years thanks to the commitment of major patrons, in time for the 2024 Olympic Games, so too must L’Hermione, a true ‘cathedral of the seas’, must regain its full majesty. Once the ship has been restored in accordance with best practice and using French expertise, it can continue to serve our country and promote the values of transmission, solidarity, peace and freedom.”

Restructuring

Despite the considerable expenditure, the restoration is not yet complete and there were many unpaid bills, which has left the association in financial difficulties. The La Rochelle court therefore decided in September 2025 to initiate judicial reorganisation proceedings with a monitoring period. This was a positive step for the team, which was committed to managing the project. However, one year proved insufficient to raise the necessary funds, whereupon the court granted an extension until April 2027.

The association is calling on individuals, businesses and patrons to contribute to the preservation of the Hermione.

Sources: an article by Charlotte David on the Mer et Marine website and the website of the Association Hermione-La Fayette.
Image: Association Hermione-La Fayette.