French replica ship L'Hermione sails into Lunenburg

One of the largest tall ship replicas ever built sailed intoLunenburgSaturday morning.

The French ship L'Hermioneisa replica of General Lafayette's 18th centuryship that carried him to the United States from France to announce his country's support in the fight for independence.

After crossing the Atlantic ocean, L'Hermione began herjourney up the east coast of the United States in June.

More than a hundred people lined the Lunenburg dock today to welcome her. Theship was led into the harbour by another famous replica the Bluenose II.

While they seem similar, there are very important differences between the two replicas.

The Bluenose II is a modern ship that was built to look like the original fishingschooner. L'Hermione was built using 18th century materials and techniques.

The 65-metre long shipwas completed in 2014, after 17 years of construction. The project cost $34million dollars. The majority of the funds used to build the ship came from supporters and visitors to the shipyard whodonatedsmall dollar amounts at a time.

In attendance in Lunenburg today were a number of dignitaries, including the French ambassador to Canada and Nova Scotia MLA Suzanne Lohnes-Croft.

The ship leaves port tomorrow, sailingfor Saint-Pierre et Miquelon before heading back to France.