Ponant fleet
Encyclopedia
The Ponant fleet was the overall term for the naval forces of the royal French navy under the Ancien Régime designated to communicating with the New World
in general (and the French colonies at Antilles
and New France
in particular) and protecting the maritime routes between there and France. (Its counterpart was the Flotte du Levant, based at Toulon.) The Ponant fleet was principally based at Rochefort
and Brest
.
This fleet appeared in the portfolios of the secretaries of state in 1626, the same year as Richelieu was named "grand maître de la navigation". The two fleets were united in 1642, then divided again in 1661. Both fleets were placed under the control of Jean-Baptiste Colbert
from 1662, whilst he was "intendant des finances
" and "minister of state" (he only became secretary of state in 1669). From then on, right up to the French Revolution
, a secretary of state had responsibility for the whole fleet.
New World
The New World is one of the names used for the Western Hemisphere, specifically America and sometimes Oceania . The term originated in the late 15th century, when America had been recently discovered by European explorers, expanding the geographical horizon of the people of the European middle...
in general (and the French colonies at Antilles
Antilles
The Antilles islands form the greater part of the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. The Antilles are divided into two major groups: the "Greater Antilles" to the north and west, including the larger islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola , and Puerto Rico; and the smaller "Lesser Antilles" on the...
and New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
in particular) and protecting the maritime routes between there and France. (Its counterpart was the Flotte du Levant, based at Toulon.) The Ponant fleet was principally based at Rochefort
Rochefort, Charente-Maritime
Rochefort is a commune in southwestern France, a port on the Charente estuary. It is a sub-prefecture of the Charente-Maritime department.-History:...
and Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
.
This fleet appeared in the portfolios of the secretaries of state in 1626, the same year as Richelieu was named "grand maître de la navigation". The two fleets were united in 1642, then divided again in 1661. Both fleets were placed under the control of Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Jean-Baptiste Colbert was a French politician who served as the Minister of Finances of France from 1665 to 1683 under the rule of King Louis XIV. His relentless hard work and thrift made him an esteemed minister. He achieved a reputation for his work of improving the state of French manufacturing...
from 1662, whilst he was "intendant des finances
Intendant des finances
The Intendants des finances were intendants or agents of France's financial administration under the Ancien Régime.-History:The role of intendant des finances was created in 1552 as a 'commission' or committee, to manage the subsidies raised for the 'trip to Germany', though these commissaires were...
" and "minister of state" (he only became secretary of state in 1669). From then on, right up to the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, a secretary of state had responsibility for the whole fleet.