In 2024, they plan to cross the Atlantic in a drakkar, heading for New York.
In the meantime, the Toulouse collective Bátar has set itself the challenge of building its Viking ship, 28 meters long and which should be the fastest in the world.
And to achieve this, they will set up a real shipyard in the heart of the Pink City.
But not just anywhere.
At the dry dock, near the Canal du Midi, built around 1850 to repair barges and relieve the port of the Embouchure which is overwhelmed by demand while the grain trade passes through the watercourse created by Pierre - Paul Riquet.
Over 200 volunteers
Now owned by Voies navigables de France, they are still used to repair barges in dry dock, especially in the covered one and listed as a Historic Monument.
It is in this unique space that the Bátar will set up a temporary building to build their future drakkar called Orkan, in addition to their studio which serves as a living base for all these sailing enthusiasts.
It is in this place steeped in history that they will receive the keel and begin construction.
After having already made two smaller longships, they called on volunteers for this challenge.
"Between 200 and 250 people have registered on the site, they will lend us a hand as soon as possible", explains Alex Arnaud, one of the members of the collective.
During the eighteen months of construction of the Viking ship, they all hope to be able to share the ancestral know-how that they bring up to date.
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Toulouse
Unusual
Boat
Shipyard
Challenge
Occitania
Story