Le Soleil Royale
Craftsman Mike Horstman painstakingly built our model from a kit with great love and attention to detail.  The model features a double planked hull, and over 300 gilt or brass fittings that recreate the lavish beauty of this royal vessel.   

The Soleil Royale (Royal Sun) was a French 104-gun ship of the line, flagship of Admiral Tourville.  She was built in Brest between 1669 and 1671.  She was said to be an extremely fast and maneuverable sailing ship and her decorations were amongst the most beautiful and elaborate of all baroque flagships.  The emblem of the "sun" had been chosen by Louis XIV as his personal symbol.

The battle of Barfleur began on 19th May 1692 and lasted for almost two days. Having been badly damaged the Soleil Royale disengaged together with three others and was systematically destroyed by cannon shot and fire by the Anglo/Dutch fleet. It was reported that her destroyers were ashamed to be a part of her destruction.