École Navale

The École Navale is the French Naval Academy in charge of the education of the officers of the French Navy.

The academy was founded in 1830 by the order of King Louis-Philippe. Originally the academy was based on ships, anchored in the harbour of Brest, such as the Borda (previously named Valmy), hence the nickname of "Bordache" given to the students.

In 1914, the École Navale was transferred ashore in Brest. The school was destroyed by Allied bombing raids during World War II, and was moved to nearby Lanvéoc-Poulmic, on the opposite side of the bay of Brest (Rade de Brest). The academy remained in this location, and was officially inaugurated by Charles de Gaulle in 1965.

Famous alumni

 * Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza
 * Henri Bretonnet
 * Jacques-Yves Cousteau
 * Philippe Tailliez
 * François Darlan
 * Félix du Temple
 * Émile Gentil
 * Matila Ghyka
 * Paul Groussac
 * Paul-Louis-Félix Philastre
 * Henri Rivière
 * Michel Serres