Rebuilding William the Conquerors Ship in Honfleur | EUROtoday

Opening later this month, La Mora's construction-show is the larger-than-life undertaking to resurrect the flagship that bore William the Conqueror from Normandy to the shores of England in 1066. France Today loved an unique preview of the positioning in Honfleur earlier than its inauguration.

It's a light-gray early afternoon within the picture-perfect city of Honfleur. The final of this morning's market stallholders are packing up their wares. Only the squawking of the seagulls might be heard and it's a really nice – and weird – view over the fishing port and the Lieutenancy from the place I stand. I'm on the fringe of a previously deserted port website the place glowing new buildings have risen and outdated ones superbly restored, their pink and beige bricks shining towards the milky white sky. The most spectacular one is a big, picket, cathedral-like hangar which stands to the aspect of the positioning and has no partitions, solely thick wooden pillars holding up a light-wood roof.

I'm right here to have a privileged sneak peek of the La Mora undertaking, a considerably mad concept that celebrates 1,000 years of maritime historical past in Normandy. Blending exhibition, efficiency and boatbuilding in actual time, the goal of the undertaking is to reconstruct La Mora, the flagship of the Duke of Normandy, often known as William the Conqueror, that led an enormous fleet of Normans to England.

An immersive step in time

The website is split into two sections. First, an immersive, staged, walk-through exhibition that makes use of cutting-edge expertise like mapping, projection and beautiful hand-built decors. Visitors step via totally different rooms, led by a voiceover telling the epic of William's accomplishment – ​​how he set sail to beat England, elevating a military and boarding 1000’s of males, horses and items onto 1000 ships. The units are superbly adorned, plunging guests into medieval Normandy, culminating into a powerful 360° show, supplying you with the sense you might be touring aboard La Mora with William.

But the star of the present is this massive hangar wherein the constructing of the ship will happen. Still in building after I visited late February, the sheer measurement of it’s testomony to the dimensions of the 34m-long ship that will likely be hand-built right here. My guides inform me that 4 carpenters, specialised in Danish boat structure, will likely be working six days per week on the boat and obtainable to reply questions from the general public who will be capable of stroll across the constructing website.

Most astonishing of all, they are going to be working with out official documentation however basing their work on the iconography of the Bayeux tapestry and analysis finished by the eminent Roskilde Museum in Denmark. The undertaking is, in different phrases, based mostly on “experimental architecture”. Period instruments from the 11th century will likely be cast on website however some trendy instruments may also be used.

By 2027, they hope to have a floating hull and goal to set it within the water, in time for the 1000th anniversary of William the Conqueror's delivery. The complete ship ought to be completed in 5 years. Plenty of time then to go to, not as soon as however a number of instances, to understand the evolution of the undertaking.

A dwelling exhibition

And that’s certainly the concept behind the undertaking. Tickets are two-fold: the walk-through exhibition expertise and entry to the constructing website. For a primary go to, a twin ticket is extremely really helpful however for subsequent visits, you should buy solely the ticket to entry the hangar.

Visits to the exhibition area are finished in teams and spaced out each 10 minutes. Several languages ​​can be found, so it is strongly recommended you verify forward when an English displaying is on the market to time your arrival accurately. I visited with household, together with one member of the family in wheelchair and the entire expertise is nicely thought-through for folks with decreased mobility. The efficiency is enthralling for young and old guests alike so kids are greater than welcome, and they’ll love to look at all the small print of every room.

A optimistic, native impression

The undertaking is the brainchild of the good Alain Bourdeaux who can also be behind the rebuilding of the Hermione tall ship. Normandy held a particular place in his coronary heart and, in Honfleur, he noticed the proper place to honor William the Conqueror's heritage. He based a non-profit in 2018 and created this splendidly hybrid, five-fold undertaking: historic restoration, medieval shipyard, experimental structure, academic efficiency and, above all, social dimension. Indeed, he insisted that the undertaking have a optimistic social impression on the area people.

While Alain has now handed away, a superb and passionate staff have taken up the torch and the mammoth activity of bringing his concepts to life.

Young apprentices – from the Apprentices of Auteuil, a corporation that accompanies girls and boys from underprivileged backgrounds or troublesome household conditions to be taught expertise and discover a commerce – constructed the forge which will likely be used on website. They have been thus in a position to not solely be taught the totally different trades concerned in constructing such a website but additionally took half in a cultural undertaking that’s distinctive on the earth.

The goal of the La Mora non-profit is to allow the coaching and employment of younger folks, providing a variety of internships on website but additionally actual help within the pursuit of a profession for younger adults.

By resurrecting this deserted location, a part of Rouen's outdated maritime port, native Honfleurois will be capable of discover part of their residence and luxuriate in a never-before-seen view of their city, which I used to be gazing at firstly of my go to. A boutique and café have additionally been constructed on website and boast two giant terraces that overlook the courtyard and the city throughout the water.

I stay up for returning, to witness the carpenters working their magic on the large tree trunks that must be introduced in from native forests. In the meantime, Honfleur has simply added yet one more draw to the vacation spot, one which celebrates a shared historical past between France and England.

La Mora

2 Quai de la Jetée de l’Est, Honfleur

Opening March 23-24 2024 – for the inauguration of the positioning, an entire host of actions will happen on website, together with a medieval camp, kids's workshops, a musical parade from Sainte-Catherine church to the positioning, an historic convention and visits from the SNSM sea rescuers.