FRANCE-US-SAILING-HISTORY-HERITAGE

French President Francois Hollande (L), flanked by French Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy Segolene Royal (C), waves to the public as he arrives on a boat in Fouras, southwestern France, on April 18, 2015, after visiting the replica of the French navy frigate L'Hermione, which played a key role in the American Revolution, and which will set sail on its maiden voyage to the United States. The replica of the French navy frigate Hermione which brought General Lafayette to America to rally rebels fighting Britain in the US war of independence, will set sail for the United States again, 235 years after the original crossing. L'Hermione will leave its mooring on the island of Aix in the west of France, navigate up the Charente river to the naval town of Rochefort to pay homage to its birthplace, and finally head back to Aix before heading West. AFP PHOTO / JEAN-PIERRE MULLER (Photo credit should read JEAN-PIERRE MULLER/AFP via Getty Images)