Take part in Daniel Christiaens' historical lecture: «Le voyage aux Indes Orientales d'un agenais sous Louis XIV».
The author proposes to recall the adventures of a young gentleman from Agenais, Jean-Jacques de Melet, who bourlingua for five years on both hemispheres: embarked in La Rochelle in 1670 on board the Squadron of Persia armed by Louis XIV against the Dutch he took part, at the point of his sword, at heroic actions, which ended however in a complete failure.
Melet returns to France unharmed, five years later with the survivors of the expedition, on a ship loaned by the enemies, because the royal fleet was completely destroyed. He will be keen to share his extraordinary journey with his family and will write it. His manuscript is 375 pages long. It is known by ethnologists all over the world. Indeed he addressed in Brazil, South Africa in Cape Town, Madagascar, Reunion, Ceylon, India and described the indigenous peoples. He is also a valuable witness of the battles on land and sea that Admiral Jacob de La Haye delivered to implement Colbert’s policy in this part of the world, including the establishment of France at La Réunion which took place during the expedition.