To the US and back: French tall ship completes historic tour honoring Revolution-era alliance
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this April 15, 2015 file photo, the three masts frigate Hermione sails at La Rochelle, southwest France, as part of preparation of a trip to America. After nearly four months crossing the Atlantic twice and visiting ports along the U.S. East Coast, the replica of an American Revolution-era tall ship is coming home to France, Monday Aug.10, 2015. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File) (The Associated Press)
After nearly four months crossing the Atlantic twice and visiting ports along the U.S. East Coast, a replica of an American Revolution-era tall ship is coming home to France.
Powered only by its soaring sails and an international crew of maritime aficionados, the Hermione is approaching the city of Brest in the Brittany region, where it is expected to arrive Monday.
The ship — 56 meters (185 feet) tall and 65 meters (215 feet) long — is a near-exact copy of the one that brought General Marquis de Lafayette from France to America in 1780 to help George Washington's troops fight the British.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It left France in April to retrace Lafayette's journey. Commander Yann Cariou praised the crew for handling the ship in rough weather during the "tough" return journey.