Jeanne Barret: First woman to circumnavigate the globe in the 18th century disguised as a man, Monique Pariseau

On February 1, 1767, Jeanne Barret, under the name Jean Barré, embarked on the flute L'Etoile with nearly 120 men to complete the first circumnavigation of the world under the French flag. She did so disguised as a man, as a royal ordinance of April 15, 1689, forbade women from sailing on a king's expedition vessel under penalty of severe sanctions. This expedition was commanded by Count Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, accompanied by astronomers, cartographers, engineers, naturalists, draftsmen, and writers who perfectly represented the spirit of the Enlightenment that so marked the 18th century. Jeanne Barret accompanied the expedition's naturalist, Philibert Commerson, as his valet. The story of this woman and her companions is fabulous and takes us on a grand adventure. It illustrates the strength and courage of these men "and this woman" who dared to go beyond what was already known. It pays tribute to this woman who had the will to live and work as a man by masking her true identity. Audacious, curious, and daring, Jeanne Barret overcame her fears and transgressed the law to satisfy her spirit of adventure and her thirst for discovery. The captivating story of this little-known woman deserves to be celebrated by this novel, which aims to render historical reality as faithfully as possible.