Etoile and her sister, Belle Poule, are training vessels for the French navy. They were built in 1931-1932 and the Etoile was launched in July of '32 at Chantier Naval de Normandie at Fecamp. Etoile is identical to the Iceland fishing schooners of the late 19th and early 20th century. Etoile is a topsail schooner whose square sail on the foremast has a unique roller furl system that can be set, reefed and furled from the deck.