Keys to success
In addition to the fact that Rouen lies at the intersection of several European motorways, only one hour from Paris, the success of the Armadas can be summed up in four key factors:
1) THE LARGEST ENTRY-FREE MEETING OF SAILING SHIPS AND NAVAL VESSELS
From ocean-going sail training vessels owned and operated by foreign navies, to three- and four-masted tall ships from every sea in the world, to traditionally-rigged sailing ships, yachts and naval vessels… the Rouen line-up is always unique. Thousands of sailors peacefully invade the Norman capital for ten days, in a friendly atmosphere appreciated by all.
Unlike other meetings where the sailing ships do not always remain along the quayside, the Rouen meeting is one where visiting the vessels is easiest.
2) ENTRY-FREE
The fact that entry to the meeting is free of charge is one of the recognized advantages of the Rouen meeting. Access to the site is free as are the visits to the sailing ships and vessels present. What's more, parking is free near the site for the meeting, in the seaport of Rouen, just beside the city centre.
3) AN OUTSTANDING SITE
Unlike many other ports, the site for the Rouen meeting is outstanding. With some ten kilometres of renovated quays on either side of the River Seine along one of its most beautiful curves, the site can accommodate several hundreds of thousands of people all at the same time, every day, without any problem.
Visitors can easily cross from one bank to the other using the various bridges and ferries. One of the great innovations of the 2008 Armada will be the commissioning of a new bridge, the highest lift bridge of the world.
4) AN EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
For each Armada, the organizers and their partners (local authorities, companies etc.) draw up a programme of exceptional interest. The Rouen Armada not only has the most beautiful sailing ships in the world to offer, it also means: - a free concert with star performers and an enormous firework display every evening; - dozens of cruises to see the sailing ships from every angle; - hundreds of events and stands on the north and south banks along the quays in Rouen; - restaurants and snack bars on both banks with their own events; - hundreds of shops in the Rouen conurbation flying the flags of the countries taking part in the event; - the "Fleet of Follies", a crazy collection of Non-Identified Floating Objects (NIFOs), the crew parade, the election of Miss Armada, sports competitions with the sailors, a special disabled persons programme and, to crown it all, the Parade of ships from Rouen to the sea (120 km!)
From ocean-going sail training vessels owned and operated by foreign navies, to three- and four-masted tall ships from every sea in the world, to traditionally-rigged sailing ships, yachts and naval vessels… the Rouen line-up is always unique. Thousands of sailors peacefully invade the Norman capital for ten days, in a friendly atmosphere appreciated by all.
Unlike other meetings where the sailing ships do not always remain along the quayside, the Rouen meeting is one where visiting the vessels is easiest.
2) ENTRY-FREE
The fact that entry to the meeting is free of charge is one of the recognized advantages of the Rouen meeting. Access to the site is free as are the visits to the sailing ships and vessels present. What's more, parking is free near the site for the meeting, in the seaport of Rouen, just beside the city centre.
3) AN OUTSTANDING SITE
Unlike many other ports, the site for the Rouen meeting is outstanding. With some ten kilometres of renovated quays on either side of the River Seine along one of its most beautiful curves, the site can accommodate several hundreds of thousands of people all at the same time, every day, without any problem.
Visitors can easily cross from one bank to the other using the various bridges and ferries. One of the great innovations of the 2008 Armada will be the commissioning of a new bridge, the highest lift bridge of the world.
4) AN EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
For each Armada, the organizers and their partners (local authorities, companies etc.) draw up a programme of exceptional interest. The Rouen Armada not only has the most beautiful sailing ships in the world to offer, it also means: - a free concert with star performers and an enormous firework display every evening; - dozens of cruises to see the sailing ships from every angle; - hundreds of events and stands on the north and south banks along the quays in Rouen; - restaurants and snack bars on both banks with their own events; - hundreds of shops in the Rouen conurbation flying the flags of the countries taking part in the event; - the "Fleet of Follies", a crazy collection of Non-Identified Floating Objects (NIFOs), the crew parade, the election of Miss Armada, sports competitions with the sailors, a special disabled persons programme and, to crown it all, the Parade of ships from Rouen to the sea (120 km!)
