The French Navy is celebrating its 400th anniversary
In 2026, the French Navy will celebrate four centuries of history. This quadruple centenary was celebrated in Saint Martin on Monday 1 June 2026, aboard the Overseas Support and Assistance Vessel (BSAOM) Dumont d’Urville, moored in the port of Galisbay.
Organised jointly by the Prefectures of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin and the Armed Forces in the Antilles, this official event forms part of a year of commemorations taking place across the whole of France. The aim is to trace the history of the French Navy, but also to raise public awareness of its missions. The Armed Forces in the Antilles (FAA) carry out missions relating to sovereignty, environmental protection and the fight against drug trafficking in the Antilles. From 1.30 pm, institutional representatives, as well as civil and military authorities, were able to board the BSAOM Dumont d’Urville. Several official speeches were delivered, notably by Navy Captain Thomas Chauveau, Acting Vice-Rector Fanny Giausseran and Prefect Cyrille Le Vély. A guided tour of the ship and a presentation of its missions in the Caribbean concluded the event.
