Two old French navy ships are in Bermuda taking a refuelling break on a trek from the Caribbean to France.

Tenace and La Fougueuse have finished many years' service — 40 and 27 years respectively — and are to be disarmed and destroyed after being replaced by modern vessels. They are being transported to Brest, via the Azores, having operated most recently as high sea patrol ships off Martinique.

More than 30 sailors are on board, and they are currently patching the vessels back up after encountering bad weather en route from the south. Tenace Captain Patrick Curaudeau told The Royal Gazette about his vessel: "It will be 40 years old. She spent a long time at sea. She's a good girl, but she's got to retire."

During their stay on the Island, sailors have already met Governor Sir Richard Gozney and were due to meet Premier Ewart Brown today, as well as schoolchildren.

Capt. Curaudeau added: "It's a good opportunity for us to see a beautiful island. We are very impressed. It's like Sweden, but in the Caribbean Sea. We were very welcomed by Consul Riquette Bonne-Smith and the Governor."