The Lapérouse Albi France Association (ALAF) is currently supporting an original work: The Odyssey of Lights, a visual and musical evocation of Lapérouse’s 1785 expedition.

Conceived by the composer Olivier Gavignaud, this work offers a visual reconstruction created with the help of artificial intelligence and an immersive staging that recreates the geographical and historical settings of this universal voyage, supported by an original symphonic musical composition.

The project is under the patronage of Laurent Petitgirard, Permanent Secretary of the Académie des Beaux-Arts.

The Astrolabe and the Boussole sailing on the waves.

A testament to the global interest in this great historical figure, the project has reached a major milestone across the Atlantic. Through the initiative of philanthropist Marc Onetto, The Odyssey of Lights has been approved by the Friends of Fondation de France à New York.

This recognition now makes it possible to bring together American donors around the humanist dimension of the expedition. It also forms part of several commemorations along the route of the expedition, notably the restoration of the Lapérouse Memorial in Maui (Hawaii), where a sequence from the work will be presented next May under the auspices of the French Embassy.

Lapérouse and Paul-Antoine Fleuriot de Langle.

By joining this initiative, you place your support within an exceptional French dynamic.

400 Years of the French Navy’ Label: the work takes part in official commemorations, with planned screenings at the major maritime gatherings in Sète and Brest.

Albi’s influence: the project aligns directly with the long-term vision of Escale Lapérouse, enhancing the city’s cultural and tourist appeal.

The Meeting at Maouna (Tutuila)

By becoming a patron of ALAF for this project, you will contribute to:

The promotion of Albi’s heritage through an innovative artistic form, combining technology and creativity.

The promotion of contemporary creation and the cultural influence of France.

The passing on of history to younger generations.

The crossing of Cape Horn.

ALAF is authorized to issue tax receipts allowing for a tax deduction:

Individuals: 66% of the donation deductible from income tax.

Companies: 60% of the donation deductible from corporate tax.

The scientists of Lapérouse’s expedition conducting scientific measurements on Mount Teide in Tenerife.

If this project inspires you and you wish to help keep the memory of the famous navigator alive, do not hesitate to join the Lapérouse Albi France association.

By joining ALAF, you will become part of a team of passionate individuals committed to promoting maritime history, exploration, and the heritage associated with Lapérouse.

Your support helps keep the memory of this great navigator alive and pass on his story to future generations.

Join the association: https://www.laperouse-france.org/en/join-renew/

You can also connect and interact with the community on the association’s Discord, recently launched as a new space for discussion and sharing for enthusiasts of history and exploration.

See you soon, sailor!

Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/qqnB7syyBQ

Lapérouse, the adventure continues…

Article written by Nicolas Gosset

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Between October and November 2023, cities such as Albi, Bordeaux and many others welcomed Masashi and Ryoco Mitani. The Albi Lapérouse France Association offered our Japanese contacts in charge of the Lapérouse memorial in the Land of the Rising Sun a chance to discover the region. It was a fitting tribute to our beloved French explorer, who was always respectful of the local customs he discovered on his travels.

We leave you to discover the article in its entirety, in French.

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By explaining the tragedy that took place on this beach, I convinced some of my colleagues to join me in visiting the monument erected in memory of our 11 compatriots who died there for science and the country.

The day before the expedition, we had inquired with the local authorities who did not know the monument well. We still managed to glean some information.

The D-day we went to the village of A’asu in the heights of the middle of the island. We understood that this village of A’asu was the new village located in the heights. The old village, bearing the same name, was previously located on the coast, down the valley, bordering the beach of the bay of the massacre.

On the spot we easily found a kind soul to show us the beginning of the path. On the spot, the owner of the land kindly indicated us the way and authorized us to borrow the path, from now on private, without any encumbers.

Then began a two-hour walk, over collapsed trunks and mud puddles in the pouring rain. We then arrived on this famous beach where almost 235 years ago, the clash of cultures carried away in confusion, I imagine it the most total, 11 of our ancestors.

This beach of fine sand, bordered on each side by tangled basalt rocks, is crossed by the mouth of a clear water stream. This same stream attracted the commander of Langle for a final sting, which was unfortunately fatal.

We then looked for a few minutes for the famous monument in the back beach lush with greenery in these tropical rainforests. We didn’t take long to find the cross which overhangs it, next to a fishermen’s hut, the latter being absent when we arrived.

We then cleaned the place of all the creeping vegetation which only asks to take back its rights. We made a clean place. We had brought a mouth tap from our boat that we sealed behind the monument, next to that of the Prairial, a Navy surveillance frigate that had renovated the monument in 2004

Thus, as sailors of the French Navy, we wanted to pay homage to our former soldiers who fell in the name of the colors of France.

We gathered for a few moments. Each one in silence.

The fishermen, owners of the hut next to the monument, returned from their fishing and greeted us. What allowed us to ask them to take us all together in photograph in front of the monument.

This made, I spread out cleanly a sheet of paper with the logo of the association that I had prepared and immortalized the moment. I attach 2 photos to this email.

We then discussed a few moments with the local fishermen. Today we speak a common language, we understand each other, we have a common value system, the joys of globalization …. I think of the cultural gap that must have separated the astrolabe and compass sailors from the indigenous Samoans. Impossible to understand each other for them.

We exchange some gifts with the Samoan fishermen who show us the fruit of their fishing. One of them shows us a shortcut to go back to where we came from.

A last look at the stele and it is already time to leave our new friends.

We go back to the new village by the same way we came, except for the shortcut shown by the fisherman. We talk about Laperouse’s adventure, of course. I tell my comrades what I know about it. Many sailors today know the name of Lapérouse, if only because a ship of the Navy bears his name, but few know the incredible story of his adventures in the Pacific.

However, we were struck by the Samoan vision of this massacre. We heard from several people we met that the massacre was also shared. About fifty Samoans died that day and no plaque honors them. After all, can we really hold these islanders responsible for their actions, as they were also victims, in my opinion, of an improbable clash of cultures. Two worlds that clash brutally, head-on and that do not understand each other because they do not share the same value system.

I had never asked myself the question in this way before today and it is true that the vision of some Samoans on the subject is not without meaning.

I have been long, I apologize, but this expedition has excited me and I hope to come back one day on the tracks of your ancestor in this magnificent bay with a tragic destiny.

Florian Chavagnac _ November 6, 2022

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Ce Mardi 21 juin , Hubert Furco, membre de l’ALAF, a largué les amarres sur sa splendide Goélette, « Lazy-Lady », depuis Marseillan, pour suivre le sillage de Jean-Francois de Lapérouse, en solitaire.

This Tuesday, June 21, Hubert Furco, member of ALAF, cast off on his splendid schooner, “Lazy-Lady”, from Marseillan, to follow the wake of Jean-Francois de Lapérouse, in solo.

We will be waiting with excitement for his logbook as he makes his stops.

Lapérouse …the Adventure continues

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From August 30 to 31, Australia, Japan and France conducted the maritime exercise LAPEROUSE 2022 off New Caledonia. The aim of this training was to develop interoperability between these three strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific area, in order to increase efficiency in the event of a crisis or natural disaster.

Lors de la première phase de l’exercice, les trois navires de combat ont effectué une manœuvre conjointe à la mer afin de permettre le transfert des matériels et des fluides d’un bâtiment à un autre. Lors de la seconde phase, outre des manœuvres d’évolutions en formation, les bâtiments des marines partenaires ont utilisé leurs hélicoptères pour transporter des charges par treuillage sur la Frégate de surveillance (FS) Vendémiaire.

Déposés par hélicoptère à bord de la FS Vendémiaire, son Excellence Junichi Ihara, ambassadeur du Japon en France, Mme Annelise Young, consule générale d’Australie en Nouvelle-Calédonie et le général Putz, commandant supérieur des Forces armées en Nouvelle-Calédonie (FANC) ont assisté à la première phase de l’exercice à laquelle participaient le destroyer japonais JS Kirisame et le bâtiment australien HMAS Warramunga.

Cet entraînement démontre la volonté commune des trois marines de développer leur interopérabilité. Il marque surtout la volonté du Japon, dont les bonnes relations avec la France sont anciennes, de poursuivre la coopération dans la région afin de garantir la stabilité, la libre circulation et le respect des lois internationales.

La participation australienne souligne le renouveau de la coopération bilatérale d’ampleur entre les deux nations, fondée sur une approche opérationnelle commune et amorcée par la participation du détachement français à l’exercice international aérien PITCH BLACK.

In the first phase of the exercise, the three combat ships conducted a joint maneuver at sea to transfer equipment and fluids from one ship to another. In the second phase, in addition to formation maneuvers, the partner navies used their helicopters to winch loads onto the Frégate de Surveillance (FS) Vendémiaire.

His Excellency Junichi Ihara, Ambassador of Japan to France, Ms. Annelise Young, Australian Consul General to New Caledonia and General Putz, Senior Commander of the Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC), were on board the FS Vendémiaire by helicopter to witness the first phase of the exercise involving the Japanese destroyer JS Kirisame and the Australian ship HMAS Warramunga.

This training demonstrates the joint desire of the three navies to develop their interoperability. Above all, it shows the willingness of Japan, which has long-standing good relations with France, to pursue cooperation in the region in order to guarantee stability, freedom of movement and respect for international law.

The Australian participation underlines the renewal of the extensive bilateral cooperation between the two nations, based on a common operational approach and initiated by the participation of the French detachment in the international air exercise PITCH BLACK.

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Hubert wrote to us:

“The idea since I am considering this cruise is to some extent to follow part of the route taken by Lapérouse. I also understood that the association wanted to leave a trace on the places of his passage, in the form of a medal or a stele. So I propose to follow from the south of Portugal the “Atlantic” stages of the trip, Funchal, Tenerife, Trinidade and Sao Sebastiao (Saint Catherine), and then ….. I will see! I’m not from the Tarn, but I’m a resident and a sailor. If however one of these places is virgin of any official representation of its passage, I could try to put something there.“

What better symbol to celebrate the passage of Lapérouse during the scientific expedition entrusted to him by King Louis XVI (…)

In Florianopolis (St. Catherine) the Laperouse Association had established relations with a very active couple. A bas-relief of Lapérouse was brought to St. Catherine by members of our association. Since 2015 last visit to Albi the relations remained distant for rather complicated and tragic family reasons of our correspondents and friends. The health situation did not make things easier.

Ps: Here is an excerpt from a CR of our association during a trip made in 2012:
“Mr. Bérard then went to Florianópolis bringing the bas-relief and several paintings and medals that were solemnly handed over on March 20, 2012 at the Municipal Cultural Foundation Franklin Cascães (ex Portuguese fort Santa Barbara) to the Mayor Mr. Dario Elias Berger of Florianópolis, a city of 450,000 h. (known as Floripa, ex-Desterro). It was then envisaged that these objects could join in a permanent way the fort São José de Ponta Grossa, fortress recently renovated, classified as national historical and artistic patrimony by the IPHAN, the Brazilian federal institute of the patrimony, as historical value of the objects.and administered by the Federal University of Santa Catarina (because there are other regional universities, less important).”

The ALAF entrusted him to offer to his guests, during his stopovers in the same places as Lapérouse.

• 6 bronze medallions with the coats of arms of the De Resseguier / Lapérouse families
• 6 booklets Lapérouse and the Age of Enlightenment (3 in French and 3 in English)
• 3 caps Lapérouse Moussaillon of the ALAF

HUBERT will send us all along his journey his logbook with some pictures.

To be continued …

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Renovation La Pérouse monument Maui

Marc was able to involve Thierry Chaunu, president of the Souvenir Français in the USA, who has now taken the project in hand with enthusiasm and energy because the Lapérouse Memorial is at the heart of the Souvenir Français mission to promote and preserve French heritage in the USA.  He was also able to get help from the local authorities represented by Mr. Daniel Ornellas, District manager of the Department of Land and Natural Resources of the State of Hawaii.

Mr. Daniel ORNELLAS

Mr. Peter LANDON

Mr. Pat BORGE

Mr. Thierry CHAUNU

As you can see, the Lapérouse monument has suffered the ravages of time and requires restoration and landscaping.

The bronze plaque will need to be restored and cleaned. The height of the stele itself will have to be reduced, to prevent tourists from climbing on it and damaging the lava stone foundation. The restoration of the missing lava stones at the base of the stele will complete the operation on the monument itself.

The creation of an access path leading from the road to the monument will facilitate the visit of the monument.

It will also be helpful to have signage that is consistent with the other vertical metal signs located in the adjacent parking lot. The metal bollard similar to those used at the Customs House in Lahaina, will provide a contextual explanation of La Pérouse and his 1785-1788 Pacific exploration odyssey. The factual and neutral text will be submitted by ASSFI for approval.

Re-Dedication Ceremony

The rededication ceremony included a blessing of the monument by the local priest and an invocation for protection according to traditional Hawaiian customs.

The presence of representatives of the French Navy, along with their counterparts from the US Navy, is envisaged. T. Chaunu will seek an honor guard, a possible visit by a French Navy ship, and French consular authorities, along with the local French community. Local school children and their history teachers will be invited.

Le Souvenir Français

Le Souvenir Français is a French association of public utility whose president is under the high authority of the president of the Republic. It was created after the Franco-Prussian war, in 1887, in a patriotic concern to honor the dead” explains Thierry Chaunu, president of The American Society of Le Souvenir Français for one year.

With more than two hundred thousand members in France and in the world, the mission of the Souvenir Français is to honor and maintain the graves of the soldiers who fought for France. “It is in France that the majority of the soldiers who fell for France are buried – and in France that we find the most “Souvenir Français” plaques. In foreign countries, there are military cemeteries where soldiers are buried and, there, it is the local associations of the Souvenir Français that take care of the maintenance of the graves, of the flowers, and of honoring the memory of the soldiers with ceremonies” explains Mr. Chaunu.

to add, “In the United States, we are the American chapter of the Souvenir Français, with the difference that we are an American non-profit association that allows us to collect donations, which are essential to the association’s mission.

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This exhibition explores the people who led those voyages and their achievements and legacies. You might encounter one or two surprising anecdotes along the way!

French Explorers – Voyages to Australia introduces some of the great 18th century French adventurers who visited these shores. Through rare objects, stunning contemporary art, costumes, a dynamic digital map, and even a creaking ship cabin, this show chronicles the personalities of the men – and women! – who played a major part in the strong ongoing connection between France and Australia.

Note that the exhibition was organized by Roxanne Fea, with whom Joël Hakim collaborated. Carole Abela, President of the Friend’s of Lapérouse Museum, Sydney Australia, informs us that the model of the Windmill that we (ALAF) sent them has finally arrived. A celebration is being prepared for May with the donors who made this acquisition possible. A big thank you to Joël Hakim who initiated this action, which thanks to Jean-Lin Toulemonde could be realized in a remarkable way.

The Friends of the Laperouse Museum Inc. is a community organisation and a foundation member of The Laperouse International Network, dedicated to the preservation of the Bicentennial Gift from the Australian French community by way of the Laperouse Museum commemorating the voyage of Jean-François de Galaup Comte de Lapérouse.

Randwick City Council and the La Perouse Museum acknowledge the Bidjigal and the Gadigal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the Museum stands and serves. We celebrate their ongoing contributions to the life and identity of the area, and we acknowledge and pay our respects to the Ancestors and Elders past, present and emerging.

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A question may be asked. If this struggle really existed, was it really one of the issues of the Lapérouse expedition? Was Laperouse’s mission really to take possession of this land when we can read the opposite in Louis XVI’s instructions about the visited lands? Was it in Laperouse’s mind to arrive before Arthur Philip at Botany Bay? Reading his voyage report, this does not seem to be the case!

Make up your own mind! The book is available online.

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