ALAF will be present in Sète

ALAF will take part in the next edition of Escale à Sète, the major Mediterranean festival of maritime traditions, which will be held from March 31 to April 6, 2026.

An International Gathering

*The port of Cette “now called Sète,” viewed from the Estaque side,*
Nicolas-Marie Ozanne, 1776 — AI colorized engraving

This major event brings together sailors, maritime history enthusiasts, and associations from all over France and abroad. To learn more about the festival, please visit the official website: Escale à Sète.

ALAF will be present alongside the Association des Amis du Château de Castries(AACC) at a stand located on Quai d’Alger, where L’Hermione was moored in 2018.

An Immersive Stand

The stand, measuring 9 meters wide and 3 meters deep, will consist of three sections and will host several mediation and exhibition areas.

Throughout the event, visitors will be able to discover:

A reconstruction of the Minister of the Navy’s office,
An exhibition dedicated to the 400 years of the Navy and to the sailors of Languedoc, created in collaboration with our association.
A photographic and documentary exhibition by the AACC, possibly accompanied by one or two ship models.

Members of ALAF and partner associations will portray officers of Lapérouse’s staff, dressed in period uniforms, immersing the public in the heart of the 18th century.

Exhibition panels will also explore two major themes:

France’s participation in the American War of Independence,

The sailors of the Tarn region.

*Interior view of the port of Brest, taken from the former Intendance slipway,*
Jean-François Hue, 1795

Bringing History to Life

ALAF will offer an educational workshop for young visitors focused on the use of the sextant, using equipment owned by the association.

To make history come alive, several members will perform short historical reenactments covering:

The meeting with Louis XVI,

The Battles of Chesapeake and Yorktown.

Finally, one of our members, Nicolas Gosset, will host historical quizzes of varying levels of difficulty, with prizes to be won, allowing visitors to test their knowledge of maritime history, France’s participation in American independence, and the Lapérouse expedition.

Through its participation in Escale à Sète 2026, ALAF reaffirms its commitment to transmitting maritime history, making it accessible to the widest possible audience, and bringing it to life through reenactment, education, and shared passion.

*L’Astrolabe and La Boussole at anchor, probably in Alaska, in 1786. Drawing made during the Lapérouse expedition.*

We look forward to welcoming you to our stand!

Lapérouse, the adventure continues…

Article written by the editorial committee