The huge success of the Armadas in Rouen since 1989
Created in 1989, and held in Rouen every four or five years since, the ten-day Armada festivals for the finest sailing ships in the world attract millions of people, and figure among the leaders of the largest international events in the world.
9 million visitors in 2003
The leading event in terms of size in France with the Tour de France (which is held over a longer period), during its last edition in 2003 the Armada attracted 9 million people over the ten days of the event.
· 1989: the Sails of Liberty (4 million visitors)
· 1994: the Freedom Armada (6 million visitors)
· 1999: the Armada of the Century (8 million visitors)
· 2003: the Armada (9 million visitors: 7 million visitors on the quays in Rouen for one week and 2 million during the Parade from Rouen to the sea)
From one event to the next, the number of visitors not only increases, but they come from further and further afield.
In 2008, the Rouen Armada will be the only event in France recognized by the Sail Training International* association.
* Sail Training International is the benchmark association worldwide for supporters of sailing ships. A non-profit association, the main purpose of the STI is to support training courses for young people from every country and every religion, on board tall ships and and traditionally rigged sailing ships to enhance exchanges and friendship between nations. Sail Training International is present at most of the major meetings of sailing ships all over the world (including Rouen), and has a wide range of activities (publications, conferences, and various services etc.). In particular, it organizes the celebrated Tall Ships' Races, formerly the Cutty Sark races. The 2008 Tall Ships' Race (July 14 - August 23), will leave from Rouen for Liverpool for a prologue before sailing to Norway (Maloy and Bergen), and finishing in Den Helder, in the Netherlands.
The leading event in terms of size in France with the Tour de France (which is held over a longer period), during its last edition in 2003 the Armada attracted 9 million people over the ten days of the event.
· 1989: the Sails of Liberty (4 million visitors)
· 1994: the Freedom Armada (6 million visitors)
· 1999: the Armada of the Century (8 million visitors)
· 2003: the Armada (9 million visitors: 7 million visitors on the quays in Rouen for one week and 2 million during the Parade from Rouen to the sea)
From one event to the next, the number of visitors not only increases, but they come from further and further afield.
In 2008, the Rouen Armada will be the only event in France recognized by the Sail Training International* association.
* Sail Training International is the benchmark association worldwide for supporters of sailing ships. A non-profit association, the main purpose of the STI is to support training courses for young people from every country and every religion, on board tall ships and and traditionally rigged sailing ships to enhance exchanges and friendship between nations. Sail Training International is present at most of the major meetings of sailing ships all over the world (including Rouen), and has a wide range of activities (publications, conferences, and various services etc.). In particular, it organizes the celebrated Tall Ships' Races, formerly the Cutty Sark races. The 2008 Tall Ships' Race (July 14 - August 23), will leave from Rouen for Liverpool for a prologue before sailing to Norway (Maloy and Bergen), and finishing in Den Helder, in the Netherlands.
