Café Maritime: Bougainville and his companions, on the edge of the Pacific

Louis-Antoine de Bougainville was the first French navigator to sail round the world in the 18th century. To pay tribute to him, a Chinese junk sets sail in his footsteps at the dawn of the 21st century. Named La Boudeuse, the sailing ship is transported through space and time to an era when Western navigators and explorers were converging on the Pacific. During the Age of Enlightenment, it was believed that this oceanic region had yet to be scientifically discovered. However, Cook realised that the Polynesians had preceded him and had mastered the geography of the Pacific for centuries.
The quest for maritime knowledge brought the explorations of Western sailors and scholars to a close. Today, solo ocean voyages have given rise to a new myth of circumnavigating the globe, as exemplified by the Vendée Globe. Epilogue: the junk La Boudeuse sank on its return journey. Only Île au Coffre preserves, in its sands, the memory of its passage, not far from Bougainville Island…
This maritime café will therefore provide an opportunity to imagine ourselves in the Pacific, thanks to a talk by Patrick Féron, a researcher in maritime science and history. A Q&A session with the audience will follow.
This Maritime Café, organised by the Caen Yacht Club, will take place on Thursday 19 November 2026 from 6.30 pm to 8 pm at the Bertrand-Génard Water Sports Centre, Quai Gaston-Lamy, Caen. A contribution of €3 will be requested, and drinks will be served after the presentation.

• Free for all