JEMA – Nautical Jousting History

This JEMA exhibition at the Tribunal de Commerce site explores the historical techniques and craftsmanship used in 18th-century nautical jousting on the Seine. Deeply anchored in these jousts were a central part of the regional identity of the mariniers of Paris and were often celebrated in royal paintings. The event highlights the regional identity of the Paris islands as a historic territory where maritime skills and communal sport were deeply intertwined. Visitors can observe rare illustrations and models of the traditional boats while learning about the technical construction of the specialized jousting equipment. This initiative has a positive social impact by reconnecting modern Parisians with the river-based traditions that once defined their metropolitan life. For historians it delivers a vital laboratory for studying the material culture of medieval and early modern sporting guilds and river trade. The exhibition ensures the legacy of the mariniers’ festive culture is preserved for the general public and future generations.