SHE soars up dramatically against the bright blue sky, towering masts stretched to full height with a taut network of rigging and a gigantic flag proudly bearing her country’s red, white and blue colours.

Rows of large black cannons emerging from her port and starboard are menacing enough to strike fear into any sea-hardened sailor’s heart.

Below her gaze, the quayside is an explosion of colour with swaying crowds of seamen in smart white-pressed naval uniforms, jostling pirates squinting through eye patches, posturing lords and ladies in flamboyant dresses and suits and wenches in revealing skirts.

Roaring cheers and the clang of beer-filled tankards being clashed together ring in the air.

You could be fooled that we have stepped back into the 1700s – but this is 21st Century France.

The Hermione warship’s homecoming is the stunning climax of a 22-year adventure to bring the past back to life and resurrect a French town to its former seafaring glory.

Now those spearheading the €25million historic mission are urging Southampton and other cities across the globe to follow them on the journey and become beacons in their own right.

The reconstructed Hermione frigate is the largest and most authentically built tall ship developed in the last 150 years.

The magnificent vessel is a replica of legendary French military leader General Lafayette’s 18th Century warship which helped turn the tide in the American War of Independence.

The frigate’s arrival on American shores from her home port of Rochefort in 1780 helped General Washington defeat the British and signalled the beginning of the Franco-American partnership.

Fast-forward more than 200 years and Rochefort’s golden days of maritime might have significantly waned.

The town, tucked on a meander of the River Charente in the Poitou-Charentes region 20km inland of the Atlantic coast, was one of the country’s most important naval dockyards but went into decline in the 20th Century.

But the town’s buildings still tell the story of its past with grand houses once home to naval chiefs, old industrial buildings and wharves and the Jardin des Retours featuring exotic plants brought back from naval expeditions.

Now it is back on the map in a renaissance showing the world the town is back in businesses.

The Hermione-La Fayette Association launched the project in July 1993, beginning construction in the town’s arsenal in 1997 following drawings of its sister ship La Concorde which were stored in Britain.

More than 4.5million people helped fund the project as the ship took shape using original techniques and materials used two centuries ago, including carpenters, riggers, blacksmiths and sail makers.

After her re-floating, a series of celebrations following her completion last year and a rigorous recruitment drive to select her 78-strong crew she finally set sail from Rochefort in April on a 13,000KM (8,080miles) journey across the Atlantic.

The four month voyage featured a 13-stop tour of the American east coast with visits to New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk, Yorktown, where Lafayette won a pivotal battle in his campaign.

Her homecoming celebrations are one of the region’s biggest ever parties and follow a dramatic sailing past Ile d’Aix, a former French military stronghold and where Napoleon spent his last days on French soil before being banished into exile following defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Hermione regally eases her way along the spectacular coastline with the dark outline of the towering Fort Boyard forming an imposing backdrop.

Back in Rochefort throngs of people gather at the quaysides to catch a glimpse of the vessel and her adventurous crew who braved the Atlantic crossing using traditional navigational equipment.

Hundreds have dressed in period costumes and mingle with groups of camera clutching tourists filling the streets.

Men are decked full military regalia carrying swords or dressed as gentlemen in horsehair wigs.

Ladies float around town in beautiful dresses with girdles and flower-topped hats.

Daily Echo:

PICTURED: Hermione homecoming celebrations

The grounds of the town’s flagship Corderie Royale (Royal Rope Factory) are transformed into a bustling series of tents and marquees displaying traditional crafts, beers, wines and salted meats, while families picnic on the grass.

Restaurants were thriving with smells of cooked meats wafting into the streets, where laughter ripples from crowds entertained by jesters, stilt walkers and street performers.

I am dressed as legendary 18th Century soldier and musician Chevalier St George – the mixed-race son of a white slave plantation owner – who was welcomed into French high society due to his skills as a champion fencer and talented violinist and conductor.

The costume, fitted for me at the home of local theatre director Laurence Martineau, features a heavy fabric suit, felt boots and a swishing sword and holster.

Striding through the town in the sweltering heat I feel exhilaration at being a part of the patriotic celebrations joining scores of fellow townsfolk for a grand parade winding its way through the streets.

Every echelon of society is here from Popes and Cardinals to bakers, maids and stumbling drunken pirates, while aristocracy ride in large wooden carts.

Rochefort Mayor Herve Blanche is at the head of the parade with his wife Isabelle, both looking immaculate in majestic orange outfits and him tipping his huge tricorne-style hat topped with feathers.

Later, after leading the crowds in a thundering rendition of the French national anthem, he told the Echo the celebrations were all about honouring the crew and said: “When Hermione came to USA she was honoured and we wanted to do the same.

"We promised that when she came back to Rochefort there would be a feast.

"It’s been extraordinary the fervour of the people.

“We have seen a rebirth of the dockyards, the people here appreciate these things and its good for the economy and tourism.

“People could do the same in Southampton and we could work with the city if they need help.”

More than 250,000 a year have visited the ship, boosting the town’s economy.

During the homecoming weekend the crew showed revellers around the frigate and posed for photographs on deck next to Hermione’s rigging and huge wheel.

Ship superintendent Bruno Gravellier (pictured) praised the crew, many who were young people without previous seafaring experience, for their skill and dedication during the journey and said: “It’s been a good reminder of the days of Lafayette.”

“The Americans were very thankful to see us and we were always welcomed.

“One of the most memorable parts of the journey was when we saw a pod of many whales in the Atlantic.”

But he said one of the most difficult things about being away from home was judging modern weather conditions.

The day climaxed with an electrifying fireworks display – cracking, fizzing and exploding across the night sky and illuminating the ancient buildings in a ghostly light.

It was the moment when the past and present seemed to co-exist as one and live and breathe together.

Hermione in Figures

  • 65m long and 47m high.
  • Three masts with 39 sails measuring 2,200sq m in total.
  • 47m of beams.
  • 400,000 pieces of wood and metal used in construction.
  • 2,000 oak trees sourced from various French forests.
  • 1,000 pulleys - One tonne of hemp used for the calking.
  • 24KM rope used for the rigging.
  • 26 cannons capable of firing 12KG cannon balls.
  • Eight cannons capable of firing 6KG balls from the bridge.
  • 4.1million visitors since 1997 – 250,000 a year.
  • 78 crew
  • 15 professional sailors – four French Navy, 57 volunteers and six on standby.
  • 4.5million people helped fund the project and the ship attracts 250,000 people a year.