FRANCE-US-SAILING-HISTORY-HERITAGE

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 is seen on the Charente river in Rochefort, southwestern France, on April 18, 2015. 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 / XAVIER LEOTY (Photo credit should read XAVIER LEOTY/AFP via Getty Images)