French Navy facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids French Navy
Marine nationale
Logo of the French Navy since 2021
Founded	1624; 401 years ago (1624)
Country	France
Type	Navy
Role	Naval warfare
Size	37,000 personnel (2021) and 7,000 civilians (2021) 180 ships 178 aircraft FAN FSM AVIA FORFUSCO Marins Pompiers Gendarmerie Maritime Service de soutien de la Flotte
Garrison/HQ	Main: Brest, Île Longue, Toulon Secondary: Cherbourg, Lorient French overseas territories: Fort de France, Degrad des Cannes, Port des Galets, Dzaoudzi, Nouméa, Papeete Overseas: Dakar, Djibouti, Abu Dhabi
Nickname(s)	La Royale
Motto(s)	Honneur, patrie, valeur, discipline ("Honour, homeland, valour, discipline")
Colours	Blue, white, red
Ships	Current fleet
Engagements	See list Anglo-French War (1627–1629) Franco-Spanish War (1635–59) Second Anglo-Dutch War Franco-Dutch War Nine Years' War War of the Spanish Succession War of the Austrian Succession Seven Years' War American Revolutionary War Anglo-French War (1778–1783) French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars French conquest of Algeria Battle of the Tagus Pastry War Crimean War Second French intervention in Mexico Sino-French War French conquest of Morocco World War I World War II Indochina War Korean War Algerian War Operation Musketeer Bizerte crisis Lebanese Civil War Gulf War Yugoslav Wars Kosovo War 1999 East Timorese crisis War on Terror War in Afghanistan Opération Harmattan Red Sea crisis *Operation Aspides
Commanders
Chief of the Armed Forces	President Emmanuel Macron
Chef d'État-Major de la Marine, CEMM	Amiral Nicolas Vaujour
Major Général de la Marine	Vice-amiral d'escadre Stanislas Gourlez de la Motte
Insignia
Insignia	Ranks in the French Navy
Naval ensign
Aircraft flown
Attack	Rafale M
Electronic warfare	Hawkeye
Fighter	Rafale M
Helicopter	NH90, Eurocopter Lynx, Panther, Dauphin
Patrol	Atlantique 2, Falcon 50, Falcon 200
Trainer	Mudry CAP 10, MS-88 Rallye, Falcon 10, Xingu

The French Navy (French: Marine nationale, lit. 'National Navy'), also known as La Royale, is the part of the French Armed Forces that operates at sea. It is one of the biggest and most powerful navies in the world. The French Navy can operate all over the globe and carry out important missions far from home. It also has a strong presence in French territories overseas.

The French Navy is special because it is one of only a few navies that use fixed-wing aircraft carriers. Its main ship, the Charles de Gaulle, is the only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier outside the United States Navy. It is also one of only two non-American ships that use catapults to launch aircraft.

The French Navy was started in the 17th century, making it one of the oldest navies still active today. It has been involved in many important moments in French history, like the Napoleonic Wars and both World Wars. It also helped France build and protect its French colonial empire for over 400 years. The French Navy has also been a leader in naval technology. It created the first steam-powered ship of the line, the first seagoing ironclad warship, the first submarine powered by a machine, the first steel warship, and the first armoured cruiser.

The French Navy has six main parts: the Naval Action Force, the Submarine Forces, French Naval Aviation, the Navy Riflemen (including Naval Commandos), the Marseille Naval Fire Battalion, and the Maritime Gendarmerie. In 2021, the French Navy had 44,000 people (37,000 military and 7,000 civilian). It also had more than 180 ships, 200 aircraft, and six commando units.

The Navy uses many types of fighting ships. These include aircraft, attack and ballistic missile submarines, frigates, patrol boats, and support ships. The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is the most important ship for many of its missions.

How the French Navy Started

The history of France's navy goes back to the Middle Ages. It developed in three main areas:

The Mediterranean Sea: Here, the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem had its own navy, called the Levant Fleet. Its main ports were Fréjus, Marseille, and Toulon. This order was both religious and military. It trained knights from noble French families to be officers. This order was one of the first groups that led to modern French naval schools, like the French Naval Academy.
The Manche (along Normandy): This area has always had skilled marines and sailors from its many busy seaports, ever since the time of William the Conqueror.
The Atlantic Ocean: The navy of the Duchy of Brittany eventually became the main part of the royal Flotte du Ponant. This fleet helped France show its power across the Atlantic and in the Americas.

Names and Symbols of the Navy

The first real French Royal Navy (French: la Marine Royale) was created in 1624. This was done by Cardinal Richelieu, who was the chief minister to King Louis XIII. During the French Revolution, la Marine Royale was officially renamed la Marine Nationale. When France had emperors (under the First French Empire and the Second French Empire), the navy was called the Imperial French Navy (la Marine impériale française). But even with these changes, the navy has always been known by its short nickname, la Royale.

The first symbol of the French Navy was a golden anchor. After 1830, a sailing rope was added around the anchor. This symbol was put on all naval ships, weapons, and uniforms. Today, anchor symbols are still used on uniforms. However, a new navy logo was created in 1990. It has a modern design that includes the tricolour (blue, white, and red). It shows the front of a white warship with red and blue splashes, and the words "Marine nationale".

The historic "Golden Anchor" symbol

French Navy History

The 17th Century

Cardinal Richelieu was in charge of the Navy until he died in 1643. After him, Jean Baptiste Colbert took over. He created the first rules for the French Navy and built the first naval shipyards in Brest and Toulon. Colbert and his son, the Marquis de Seignelay, managed the Navy for 29 years.

During this century, the Navy gained experience in several wars. These included the Anglo-French War (1627–1629), the Franco-Spanish War (1635–59), the Second Anglo-Dutch War, the Franco-Dutch War, and the Nine Years' War.

The 18th Century

Armament of a frigate in Brest, 1773

The 1700s began with the War of the Spanish Succession, which lasted over ten years. Then came the War of the Austrian Succession in the 1740s. The hardest conflict for the Navy was the Seven Years' War, which almost destroyed it.

However, the Navy regrouped and rebuilt. Within 15 years, it was ready to join the fight when France helped in the American Revolutionary War. Even though they were often outnumbered, the French fleets kept the British busy for years until victory. After this war, the Navy became very strong.

Less than ten years later, the Navy was greatly weakened by the French Revolution. Many experienced officers were removed or executed because they came from noble families. Still, the Navy fought hard in the French Revolutionary Wars.

The 19th Century

Napoleon inspecting the fleet of Cherbourg in May 1811

In the early 1800s, more battles from the Revolutionary Wars took place. When Napoleon became Emperor in 1804, he wanted to make the Navy strong enough to invade England. But his plans were ruined by the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. In this battle, the British almost completely destroyed a combined French and Spanish fleet. This disaster meant Britain had control of the seas during the rest of the Napoleonic Wars.

After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, the long rivalry between Britain and France at sea began to end. The Navy then focused more on expanding the French colonial empire. Under King Charles X, the navies of both nations fought together in the Battle of Navarino. For the rest of the century, they generally worked together.

Emperor Napoleon III wanted France to have an even stronger foreign policy. The Navy was involved in many actions around the world. It joined the Crimean War in 1854. The Navy was also very active in the Cochinchina Campaign in 1858, the Second Opium War in China, and the French intervention in Mexico.

The 19th-century French Navy also created many new technologies. It led the way in naval artillery with its invention of the powerful Paixhans gun. In 1850, Napoléon became the first steam-powered ship of the line. Nine years later, Gloire became the first seagoing ironclad warship. In 1863, the Navy launched Plongeur, which was the first submarine in the world to be moved by mechanical power. In 1876, Redoutable was the first warship ever made with a steel hull. In 1887, Dupuy de Lôme became the world's first armoured cruiser.

Later in the century, French officers developed the Jeune École (Young School) idea. This idea suggested using small, cheap torpedo boats to destroy expensive battleships. It also suggested using long-range ships to attack an enemy's merchant ships.

The 20th Century

Battleship Richelieu, 1943

The first seaplane, the French Fabre Hydravion, flew in 1910. The first seaplane carrier, Foudre, was named the next year. However, the French Navy's overall growth slowed down at the start of the 20th century. This was because Germany and Great Britain were building many warships, trying to outdo each other.

The French Navy entered World War I with relatively few modern ships. During the war, not many warships were built because France focused most of its efforts on land. While the British controlled the North Sea, the French controlled the Mediterranean Sea. Here, they mostly watched the Austro-Hungarian Navy. The French Navy also helped fight Germany's U-boat campaign by patrolling the seas and protecting convoys.

A Cassard-class frigate

Between the World Wars, the Navy became much more modern and grew significantly. New ships included the fast Fantasque class "super-destroyers", the Richelieu-class battleships, and the submarine Surcouf. Surcouf was the largest and most powerful submarine of its time.

From the start of World War II, the Navy was involved in many operations. It took part in the Battle of the Atlantic, the Norwegian Campaign, and the Dunkirk evacuation. After the fall of France in June 1940, the Navy had to remain neutral under the rules of the armistice. This agreement created the smaller state of Vichy France. About 100 naval ships and their crews followed General Charles de Gaulle's call to join the British. But most of the fleet, including all its largest ships, became loyal to the Vichy French Navy.

The British were worried that the German Navy might take control of these ships. So, they attacked Mers-el-Kébir, an Algerian city where many of the ships were docked. This event made relations between Britain and France very bad. It led to attacks by Vichy France and a full naval battle at Casablanca in 1942. This happened when the Allies invaded French North Africa. But these fights stopped once the Germans occupied Vichy France. The main goal of the occupation was to capture the large ships. However, before they could be seized, their own crews sank them. A few small ships and submarines managed to escape. These joined de Gaulle's Free French Naval Forces, which fought alongside the British Royal Navy until the end of the war.

The Navy later provided support for troops and fire support in the Indochina War, the Algerian War, the Gulf War, and the Kosovo War. Since 2000, the Navy has helped with the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) and the global War on Terror. In 2011, it helped with Opération Harmattan in Libya.

The French Navy as planned for the late 2030s: a Bâtiment ravitailleur de forces (fleet tanker) conducts simultaneous underway replenishment with the Future French aircraft carrier and with a Frégate de défense et d'intervention (Defence and Intervention Frigate).

How the French Navy is Organized

French navy facilities in metropolitan France (status 2015)

The head of the naval staff is Vice-admiral d’escadre Arnaud de Tarlé. In 2014, the Navy had 36,776 military personnel and 2,909 civilian staff. The Navy is divided into four main operational parts:

The Force d'Action Navale (Naval Action Force) – This is the surface fleet.
The Forces Sous-marines (Submarine forces) – This includes nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines and fleet submarines.
The Aviation Navale (Naval air force) – This includes aircraft that operate from land and sea.
The Fusiliers Marins (Naval riflemen) – This force protects the Navy and includes the Navy's special forces (Commandos Marine).

Also, the National Gendarmerie of France has a maritime force of patrol boats. These boats are under the command of the French Navy:

The Gendarmerie maritime – This is France's coast guard.

Main Naval Bases

As of 2014, the largest French naval base is the military port of Toulon. Other important bases in France include the Brest Arsenal and Île Longue on the Atlantic coast, and Cherbourg Naval Base on the English Channel. French bases overseas include Fort de France and Degrad des Cannes in the Americas. Also, Port des Galets and Dzaoudzi in the Indian Ocean, and Nouméa and Papeete in the Pacific. The Navy also shares or leases bases in other countries like Abu Dhabi, Dakar, and Djibouti.

Equipment of the French Navy

The Horizon-class frigate Chevalier Paul

La Capricieuse

The Rubis-class submarine Casabianca in 2005

A French Navy AS365 F Dauphin helicopter

Ships and Submarines

The French Navy currently has one aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle. It also operates three amphibious assault ships, ten air defence and anti-submarine frigates, and five general purpose frigates. The Navy also has six fleet submarines (SSNs). These ships, along with the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, make up the French Navy's main fighting force for ocean missions. The four ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) of the Navy's Strategic Oceanic Force are a key part of France's nuclear deterrent.

The French Navy also uses six light surveillance frigates and, as of 2024, five avisos (which are now called patrol vessels). These ships help with offshore patrols, protecting French naval bases and territorial waters. They can also provide basic escort for larger groups of ships. The Navy also has many offshore and coastal patrol vessels, ships that clear mines, and other support ships.

Aircraft

The French Naval Aviation is officially called the Aéronautique navale. It was created on June 19, 1998, by combining naval patrol aircraft and aircraft carrier squadrons. It has about 6,800 civilian and military personnel. They operate from four airbases in France. The Aéronavale has been updated with 40 Rafale fighter jets, which fly from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

Navy Personnel

Category	Strength
Personnel strength of the French Navy 2015
Commissioned officers	4,500
Petty officers	23,600
Seamen	6,600
Volunteers	767
Civilian employees	2,800
Source:

Joining the Navy

To join the French Navy, there are different requirements based on the role:

Seamen

You must be at least 17 years old but no older than 30. There is no minimum school level required.

Petty Officers

You must be at least 17 years old but no older than 30. You need at least a high school diploma that allows you to go to university. Petty Officer Candidates start their training with five months at the Petty Officer School of Maistrance in Brest.

Contract Officers

Contract officers sign an initial eight-year contract, which can be renewed for up to 20 years.

Operational officers must be 21 to 26 years old. They need at least a Bachelor of Science degree or have completed special preparatory classes for engineering or business schools.
Staff officers must be 21 to 29 years old. They need an honors degree or master's degree in a field that matches their military job.

Career Officers

If you are less than 22 years old, you need to have completed special preparatory science classes. After four years at the École Navale (naval academy), you will graduate as a commissioned Enseigne de Vaisseau with an engineering degree.
If you are less than 25 years old, you need an honors degree in science. After three years at the naval academy, you will graduate as Enseigne de Vaisseau with an engineering degree.
If you are less than 27 years old, you need a master's degree. After two years at the naval academy, you will graduate as an Enseigne de Vaisseau.

Customs and Traditions

Ranks

Commissioned officer ranks

Other ranks

The rank badges of the French Navy are worn on the shoulders of shirts and white jackets. They are worn on the sleeves for navy jackets and coats. Until 2005, only commissioned officers had an anchor on their badge, but now enlisted personnel also have them. Commanding officers have the title of capitaine, but they are called commandant.

Addressing Officers

Unlike in the French Army and air and space force, you do not say mon before the rank when talking to an officer. For example, you say capitaine, not mon capitaine.

Uniforms

Winter Uniform (22)
Summer Uniform (26)
Overseas (25)
Light Duty Firefighter Suit
Gendarmerie Maritime personnel

Military Music

The Toulon band in Brest.

The main military music group of the French Navy is the Military Band of the Toulon Fleet (French: La musique des équipages de la flotte de Toulon). It was started on July 13, 1827. The Bagad Lann Bihoue, which is based on the bagad bands in Bretagne, is the only pipe band in the French Navy. It uses bagpipes and bombards.

Future of the French Navy

A FREMM multipurpose frigate

EDA-R landing craft

Barracuda-class submarine

France's financial challenges have affected all parts of its military. The 2013 French White Paper on Defence and National Security canceled plans for a new aircraft carrier and a possible fourth Mistral-class amphibious assault ship. The main ships of the fleet will be the Aquitaine-class FREMM anti-submarine frigates. Plans to buy 17 FREMMs were reduced to 11, and then to eight.

Construction has begun on the first of six Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarines. The Suffren was put into service in 2020. These nuclear attack submarines will be followed in the 2030s by a new class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), which began construction in 2024.

In October 2018, the French Ministry of Defence started a study for a new aircraft carrier to replace the Charles de Gaulle after 2030. President Emmanuel Macron decided in 2020 to build the new carrier. It is expected to start construction around 2025 and enter service in the late 2030s. It is planned to be in service until after 2080.

Famous French Naval Officers

Here are some important people who served in the French Navy:

Privateers

Lieutenant général des Armées navales du Casse
Lieutenant général des Armées navales Duguay-Trouin
Chef d'escadre Jean Bart
Surcouf

Explorers

Lieutenant général des Armées navales Bougainville
Chef d'escadre Dumont d'Urville
Chef de Division Lapérouse
Captain Samuel de Champlain
Captain d'Iberville
Captain Nicolas Baudin

Other Important Officers

Admiral Florent de Varennes—the first admiral of France.
Admiral Jean de Vienne—admiral of the French fleet during the Hundred Years' War.
Admiral d'Estaing—admiral of the French fleet that helped the United States gain independence.
Admiral de Grasse—commander of the French fleet at Chesapeake Bay during the American Revolutionary War.
Vice-Admiral Tourville—commander of the French fleet at the Battle of Beachy Head.
Vice-Admiral Villeneuve—commander of the French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Other Notable People Who Served in the French Navy

Jacques-Yves Cousteau - a famous ocean explorer.
Philippe de Gaulle - the son of General Charles de Gaulle.
Alain Delon - an actor, who served as a marine rifleman.
Jean Gabin - another major French actor, who joined the Free French naval force during World War II.
Paul Gauguin - a famous painter.
Albert II, Prince of Monaco - a reserve Lieutenant Commander.
Pierre Loti - known for his literary works.
Eric Tabarly - a famous yachtsman.

Images for kids

The French Navy as planned for the late 2030s: a Bâtiment ravitailleur de forces (fleet tanker) conducts simultaneous underway replenishment with the Future French aircraft carrier and with a Frégate de défense et d'intervention (Defence and Intervention Frigate).