Duchesse Anne, Full-rigged ship at Port Museum, Dunkirk, France.
Duchesse Anne is a steel full-rigged sailing ship at Dunkirk's Port Museum with three masts and a length of 92 meters. The vessel was originally designed for training sailors and retains its characteristic sail plan with multiple yards across the deck.
The ship was built in 1901 in Germany as Grossherzogin Elisabeth and initially trained merchant sailors for the German fleet. After World War II, it came under French control and was repositioned in Dunkirk as a training vessel.
The ship represents French sailing traditions and once served as a symbol of how practical maritime skills were passed down through generations. Today, visitors can see how the vessel's sails and rigging reflect the hands-on training that young sailors received aboard.
The ship is moored at Dunkirk along the waterfront and can be visited during opening hours, with the experience varying by season. Spring through early autumn offers the most comfortable conditions for exploring the vessel and its details.
This is the last surviving French full-rigged ship and is currently undergoing restoration to participate in international sailing races. The ongoing restoration work reveals how specialists maintain and preserve the traditional sail rigging.
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