First female sailor to win a medal at the Olympic Games, extremely wealthy heiress; Who was Virginie Hériot, “Madame de la Mer”? A young girl from the upper middle class, she became an emblematic figure of yachting, awarded gold for the sailing events in 1928. The exhibition offers to retrace her journey agitated by the swell, from her birth, rocked by privileges, to her first exploits on the water. Photographs, paintings, medals and audiovisual programs sketch the portrait of the sailor. Come and observe the prowess of the woman who, as a child, already exclaimed: “You know, when I grow up, I will be a Marine!” ".

Did you know?

Perhaps if Virginie Hériot had lived longer, she would have been the first woman to sail solo, racing, and non-stop around the world. But this prize goes to the navigator Catherine Chabaud, also a political figure, who, in 1997, completed it in 140 days, 4 hours and 38 minutes.

PORT-LOUIS MARINE MUSEUM
Until September 30, 2024
The citadel, 56290 Port-Louis