French Navy marks 400 years of maritime history

The French Navy is marking its 400th anniversary, which traces its origins back to October 1626 under the influence of Cardinal Richelieu.

To commemorate this milestone, an international symposium titled ‘400 years of naval operations in the French Navy’ is scheduled for October 19, 2026, at the National Navy Museum in Paris. The event will feature academic discussions on maritime strategy, including the protection of flows during the Revolution and World War I, as well as historical naval actions such as the Battle of Chesapeake in 1781.

Additionally, France 2 will broadcast a documentary titled ‘La grande Histoire de la Marine’ on October 13, 2026. Presented by Julian Bugier, the film utilizes 3D reconstructions and footage from the Orion 2026 military exercise—including the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and nuclear submarines—to explore four centuries of maritime history and the strategic role of the Navy in shaping France.