Latin sails At the heart of traditions

Historical

The lateen sail is a triangular sail, with or without a jib.
It is the only form used throughout the Mediterranean basin since Antiquity. It equips the pointus, these small boats almost ignored in other seas and oceans around the world.

These are men passionate about this traditional navigation, Doctor Thomas and Raphaël Autièro who founded the Voiles Latines association in 1992.

Raphaël Autièro (1909 – 1993) is the emblematic marine carpenter of Saint Aygulf. He built a hundred boats. He combined his exceptional know-how with qualities of heart since he did not hesitate, one stormy day, to take out his sharpie to save a pregnant woman from drowning.

The conviviality of the meetings which brought together, in his workshop or in the Louvans cove, his fishing friends is in everyone's memory.

Around these two men, around fifty sea lovers mobilized to restore and maintain the pointus, these boats, coming from the dawn of time, faithful to this physical navigation, without modern instruments.

Attached to this centuries-old heritage, Doctor Thomas also wanted writings recalling the maritime activities of the past.

The association's boats: "Le Saint Aygulf", "Le Ville de Fréjus", "L'Isabelle", "l'Argens"… crisscrossed the sea during local and even national events with the consecration of the “Ville de Fréjus” in Brest in 1992.

After the withdrawal of Doctor Thomas, Christian Fradet happily resumed, “Les Voiles Latines” further developing his participation in sailing meetings, notably those of Villefranche and by publishing works such as: “Fishing and seafarers in the harbor of Fréjus – Saint Raphaël “by Marcel Foucou or “the memories of the fishermen” by the Hugues brothers.

After the departure of Christian Fradet, the association declined and when Doctor Thomas, for the second time, accepted the presidency, there remained only five members and the two pointed ones, “Le Saint Aygulf” and “Le Ville de Fréjus”. were unfit for navigation.

A small group of volunteers took on the task and, thanks to their efforts, the Saint Aygulf “quickly sailed the sea again, followed two years later by the Ville de Fréjus, after 18 months of restoration.

Madame Dany Philippot, the new president continues the work of her predecessors and thanks to a great team of volunteers bringing together all trades, maintains and restores a whole small flotilla of sharpies.

This is currently the case for “Saint Aygulf” which requires almost total renovation, with approximately 24 months of work and financial assistance from patrons.

LATIN SAILS LAUNCHES A NEW CHALLENGE: BREST 2024

The Association of “Latin Sails” of Fréjus – Saint Aygulf aims to conserve the Mediterranean maritime heritage.

For more than twenty years, Varois and summer visitors have been able to admire its pointus during local events (votive festival of Saint Aygulf, bravado of Fréjus, meeting of the pointus in Saint Tropez.)

The association even made the Var colors shine very high when in 1992 the “Ville de Fréjus” received a first prize during the Brest Maritime Festival meetings, which brought together more than 1000 boats from all over the world. He will return to Brest for the same event in July 2024.

This boat is one of the jewels of Provençal maritime heritage. Built entirely of mahogany and oak, it was the hundredth creation of Raphaël Autièro , this emblematic carpenter of Saint Aygulf. It is a gourse from Nice, one of the last to have “a mourre de pouar” or pig's nose, a term designating the spur located at the bow of the capian. This gives it a very specific and elegant silhouette.

Currently, it is “Saint Aygulf” which benefits from the most meticulous care of the Association. The aim of a restoration is to respect the original construction as closely as possible.

DIY enthusiasts can indulge in their favorite pastime in its maintenance and have the satisfaction of carrying out work worthy of a marine craftsman, as was the case during the repair of the “Ville de Fréjus”.

Recently, the latter as well as the “Mouette de Port Fréjus”, a point belonging to the Harbor Master’s Office of Fréjus and entrusted to the Association, and maintained by it, received the RIP label. They are now listed as Boats of Heritage Interest . Fair reward for the work of volunteers who count neither their hours nor their skills.

Lovers of the sea, alone or with family, will find their happiness during fishing trips, during initiations to sailing or during rowing and motor trips, along our coasts, not to mention the participation in local and votive festivals.