French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle spotted off Nice during intensive training
Early risers on the Côte d’Azur caught sight of France’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle off Nice as the Navy confirmed it is carrying out intensive training exercises in the region.
Early risers along the Côte d’Azur were treated to an unusual sight on Thursday morning as the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle appeared off the coast of Nice.
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The Marine Nationale confirmed the carrier is in the area as part of an intensive training phase with its embarked air wing.
The exercises running from 21 November to 13 December, include work with Rafale fighter pilots, some of whom were seen performing low-altitude flights over the Alpes-Maritimes earlier in the week.
The 261-metre vessel was visible in the Baie des Anges and off Villefranche-sur-Mer, offering a rare glimpse of France’s flagship.
The Navy says the training period follows the ship’s summer maintenance and its recent requalification, which involved multiple security drills, anti-air and anti-ship exercises, and operational readiness tests.
In late November, the carrier also completed an ambitious weapons-firing campaign as part of an operational readiness course, validating new onboard capabilities.
According to the Navy, the French carrier strike group is now fully prepared for future deployment.