From South Gironde to Saint-Paul Island in the Indian Ocean, a successful bet for the Lambert brothers

The Lambert brothers' expedition to the southern lands had one objective: pay homage to their ancestor Admiral Mouchez. 150 years ago this scientist was commissioned by the Paris Academy of Sciences to observe the transit of Venus, an astronomical phenomenon, on Saint-Paul Island.

The Lambert brothers were exceptionally authorized to disembark for a few minutes on the island in order to install a commemorative plaque. Saint-Paul is today an integral nature reserve, the presence of humans is in principle prohibited.

They had the green light from the French authorities but they kept their fingers crossed until the last moment. The islet, an 8km² rock, is one of the most hostile places in the world. Finally on Sunday morning the sea calmed down. Barthélémy and Mathias were able to reach Saint-Paul by canoe from the Marion Dufresne, the supply ship for the French southern and Antarctic bases. There, as planned, they placed a commemorative plaque in memory of their ancestor Admiral Mouchez. They stayed there for a little over 2 hours.

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The fact of treading this earth 150 years to the day after our ancestor was very moving. We were able to place the plaque, make a speech and leave a message in the guestbook in the small survival cabin on the island. – Mathias Lambert

End of the adventure, the Lambert brothers are now on board the Marion Dufresne, heading for Reunion Island.