The Voyages of Jeanne Baret

Long ago, there was a French botanist and adventurer that unknowingly won a place among the greatest ocean pioneers of history. Her name was Jeanne Baret. She is considered the first woman to sail all around the world, and her extraordinary voyage was not without incredible challenges.

Jeanne Baret had to face the restrictions that women of her time suffered, such as the prohibition to become part of a naval crew. She had to disguise herself as a man to be able to embark on the expedition of Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, and she had to remain like that for about three years.

That voyage took place between the years 1767 and 1776, and in this time Jeanne traveled the globe and studied fascinating new species of plants.

Jeanne achievements were not always fully recognized, and only in recent years we have come to have some insights about her adventures and outstanding life. In 2019, English historian and writer Glynis Ridley published the book The Discovery of Jeanne Baret, which digs into Jeanne’s story and proves the importance of her scientific and personal legacy.  

This set includes a representation of Jeanne and the frigate Boudeuse, one of the ships of Bougainville’s expedition.