• Since 2002, Christian Cardin has launched the construction of Jean-Bart.

  • This is a life-size reproduction of a first-class vessel from the time of Louis XIV.

  • Based in Gravelines, the project should not be completed for another ten years.

In Gravelines, near Dunkirk, in the North, Christian Cardin has a crazy project.

He took it into his head to build a life-size ship from the time of Louis XIV.

A vessel 57 m long, from spur to stern, and 15 m wide.

Its rear castle will culminate at 17 m.

Such a ship, with its three decks, displays nearly 1,600 tons on the scale.

Not surprising since its construction requires 1,800 m3 of oak, or 3,600 trees.

In theory, it could carry up to 700 people.

To understand this incredible challenge, you have to go back a few years.

In 1982, the Norman discovered wrecks from the time of Louis XIV off Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, in the Cotentin.

These vessels sank during the Battle of La Hougue in 1692. One thing leading to another, the idea ran through the head of the hydraulic engineer: why not rebuild one of these vessels?

Construction launched 20 years ago

Easy to say, harder to do.

At the time, such vessels were made without plans, by companionship and transmission.

“We found an album by Colbert which presented around fifty drawing boards for the construction of a first-rate vessel with 80 guns, but the problem is that the second and third dimensions were missing, says Christian Cardin.

We therefore compiled the data and were able to reconstruct the shape plan of the boat.

We then worked on a prototype before launching construction in 2002”.

At the time of Louis XIV, such a project lasted three or four years.

But Louis XIV had a thousand men at his disposal.

Christian Cardin employs three shipwrights, an apprentice and a trainee.

Hence the length of the construction site, which could only be completed in about ten years.

Especially since, as in any experimental archeology project (even if it works with modern tools), you have to solve construction challenges as you go along: learning to bend the huge pieces of wood without breaking them , find the shapes and sizes of period nails...

A real tourism economy project

Behind the palisade on the road to Calais, in Gravelines, construction has already taken on a certain scale.

Beyond a crazy challenge, the Jean-Bart, the name of the ship, is also a real tourism economy project.

You can visit the site, like enjoying the small historical park with tavern, saurisserie for salmon, small museum space, blacksmith workshop.

Moreover, a study shows that this park has the potential to reach 200,000 annual visitors, if public and private partners enter into the dance.

A report must be presented to the elected officials of the territory, at the end of April.

"Their decision can turn the project around and transform it into a structuring element of the Côte d'Opale", pleads Christian Cardin.

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  • Lille

  • Hauts-de-France

  • Ship

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