The ship is on a five-month mission during which it will hold, in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, a number of military exercises with the navies of the countries it will visit. Its final destination in Jibuti and Split is the first stop on its journey.
Before the ship and the frigate leave Split they will be boarded by six Croatia Navy officers, who will sail to Jibuti and take part in military exercises as part of a programme of international military cooperation.
On the first day of the visit, five Croatian commissioned and non-commissioned officers were presented with French national defence medals at a ceremony held on the helicopter carrier.
The Jeanne d'Arc, the fifth in a series of war ships named after the French national heroine, was built 42 years ago. Apart from military purposes, it serves for the education of cadets.
Apart from 642 crew members, aboard the carrier are 135 cadets from 17 countries who will end their three-year-long military education with the five-month journey around the world.
The helicopter carrier last visited Split in 1971.
The Georges Leygues frigate has a crew of 170, including about 20 women.
During their stay in Croatia, members of the French Navy will take part in the 12th Christmas regatta on Saturday and Sunday and organise a round table discussion on the protection of sovereignty at sea.