All maritime museums to visit in France

Set sail on a journey through maritime history at 25 maritime museums in France. These museums showcase the history of seafaring, shipbuilding, and naval exploration.

Are you fascinated by the sea and maritime history? These are the top maritime museums in France

  1. Citadelle de Saint-Tropez - Musée d'Histoire Maritime1

    Citadelle de Saint-Tropez - Musée d'Histoire Maritime

     Saint-Tropez
    The majestic complex now serves as a museum entirely dedicated to the maritime history of the area. Well worth the climb!
  2. Bordeaux Submarine Base2

    Bordeaux Submarine Base

     Bordeaux
    The Bordeaux Submarine Base was designed to accommodate up to 30 submarines. It featured dry docks and two basins connected by locks. This impressive infrastructure showcases the strategic importance of the base during the war and provides a unique insight into the naval operations of the time.
  3. Naval Museum3

    Naval Museum

     Nantes
    Since 1988, the Maillé-Brézé has been a museum ship docked at the Fosse quay in the port of Nantes. It has been classified as a historical monument since 1991, making it a significant part of the city's cultural heritage.
  4. Port Museum4

    Port Museum

     Dunkirk
    The Maritime and Port Museum of Dunkirk is a unique blend of maritime and societal history, housed in a building that dates back to 1868. This building, known as the Bourdon store, was once a tobacco warehouse, adding a layer of historical significance to the museum's location.
  5. Maritime, Fluvial and Harbour Museum of Rouen5

    Maritime, Fluvial and Harbour Museum of Rouen

     Rouen
    The Maritime, Fluvial and Harbour Museum of Rouen is an associative museum that offers a comprehensive history of the port of Rouen and navigation in general. It provides an in-depth look into the maritime and river navigation, making it an ideal destination for those interested in maritime history and culture.
  6. Vieux Fort Lighthouse6

    Vieux Fort Lighthouse

     Vieux-Fort
    The Vieux-Fort Lighthouse, also known as the Pointe du Vieux-Fort Lighthouse, is a significant landmark located at the southernmost point of Basse-Terre Island, in the territory of the commune of Vieux-Fort in Guadeloupe. This lighthouse is a key navigational aid for sailors, marking the entrance to the Basse-Terre harbor and signaling the passage of the Saintes channel in its northwest limit.
  7. Maritime Museum of La Rochelle7

    Maritime Museum of La Rochelle

     La Rochelle
    The Maritime Museum of La Rochelle is a unique floating museum situated in the trawler basin of the Old Port. It offers visitors the opportunity to explore three different ships, each with its own rich history and significance. In addition to the ships, the museum also has two sections on land that host a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions. These exhibitions provide further insight into maritime history and culture, making the museum a comprehensive destination for those interested in seafaring.
  8. Musée d'histoire de Marseille8

    Musée d'histoire de Marseille

     Marseille
    The Musée d'Histoire de Marseille (Marseille History Museum) is the local historical and archaeological museum of Marseille. The museum holds a collection of archaeological finds discovered when the site it is located on was excavated and other archaeological objects related to the history of Marsei
  9. Ecomuseum of Saint-Nazaire9

    Ecomuseum of Saint-Nazaire

     Saint-Nazaire
    The Ecomuseum of Saint-Nazaire is situated on the autonomous port of Nantes-Saint-Nazaire, facing the Chantiers de l'Atlantique. This location provides a unique setting for the museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the maritime history of the region. The museum's location also allows for easy access for tourists visiting the area.
  10. Estran Cité de la Mer10

    Estran Cité de la Mer

     Dieppe
    Estran Cité de la Mer is a scientific and technical cultural center that is located in Dieppe. The center is focused on the theme of the Upper Normandy coast. It provides an opportunity for visitors to learn about the scientific and technical aspects of the sea and fishing.
  11. Lapérouse Museum11

    Lapérouse Museum

     Albi
    The Lapérouse Museum is one of the seven museums in the city of Albi. It is conveniently located near the Old Bridge, next to the Tarn. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the city. The museum is dedicated to the navigator Lapérouse and has been receiving nearly 12,000 visitors annually since 2010.
  12. Cité des Bateliers12

    Cité des Bateliers

     Longueil-Annel
    The Cité des Bateliers is a museum in Longueil-Annel, France, dedicated to the history and culture of boating. It was opened to the public in July 2000 and offers visitors a unique insight into the world of boating. The museum is located in a region known for its rich boating history, making it a significant cultural site for those interested in maritime history.
  13. Musée National de la Marine - Palais de Chaillot13

    Musée National de la Marine - Palais de Chaillot

     Paris
    The National Marine Museum is the national navy museum in Paris that was founded in 1827. The museum is currently located in the Palais de Chaillot where a collection is exhibited that has the collection of Henri Louis Duhamel du Monceau from 1748 at its core, who was a French physician, naval engin
  14. Cité des Sciences et de L'Industrie14

    Cité des Sciences et de L'Industrie

     Paris
    Cité des Sciences et de L'Industrie is Europe's largest science museum, located in Paris. Cité des Sciences tries to promote science and uses interactive ways of spreading knowledge. Here visitors can explore some of the permanent exhibitions such as Light Games or The Great Story of the Universe. P
  15. Museum Hotel Dubocage Belville15

    Museum Hotel Dubocage Belville

     Le Havre
    The Dubocage de Bléville Museum is a significant cultural institution located in the city of Le Havre, in the Seine-Maritime region of France. The museum is housed in the former Dubocage de Bléville mansion, a historical building dating back to the 17th century. This provides a unique setting for the museum, adding to the overall experience of visiting.
  16. Maritime Museum of New Caledonia16

    Maritime Museum of New Caledonia

     Noumea
    The Maritime Museum of New Caledonia is a significant institution that focuses on the history of French colonial exploration in the Pacific. It provides a comprehensive insight into the maritime history of the region, making it an interesting destination for those interested in history and maritime exploration.
  17. Museum Of The Sea17

    Museum Of The Sea

     Sète
    The Museum of the Sea is a prominent feature of the city of Sète, situated in a prime location facing the Mediterranean Sea. It is nestled between two other significant landmarks - the marine cemetery of Sète and the Sea Theater. This strategic location offers visitors not only a rich cultural experience but also stunning views of the surrounding seascape.
  18. Musée des Docks Romains18

    Musée des Docks Romains

     Marseille
    The Musée des Docks Romains (The museum of Roman docks) is a museum in Marseille, displays 'in situ' the remains of one of the few known Roman commercial warehouses in the world. The Museum illustrates the port activity of Marseille and features large storage vases or dolia preserved in situ that sh
  19. Lake Museum19

    Lake Museum

     Sanguinet
    The Lake Museum, also known as the musée du lac, is situated in the charming town of Sanguinet, nestled in the French department of Landes. This museum is a hub of archaeological discoveries made by the volunteer divers of CRESS (Centre de recherches et d'études scientifiques de Sanguinet), who conduct underwater excavations of the submerged villages of the Cazaux and Sanguinet lakes.
  20. Musée de la Marine et de l’Economie20

    Musée de la Marine et de l’Economie

     Marseille
    Musée de la Marine et de l’Economie is a small museum in Marseille, housed in the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Marseille. The museum holds a collection of paintings and documents that illustrate the time when Marseille was the main port of France.
  21. Ephèbe Museum and Underwater Archeology21

    Ephèbe Museum and Underwater Archeology

     Agde
    The Ephèbe Museum, situated in Cap d'Agde, Hérault, France, is a unique institution dedicated to the exploration and preservation of underwater archaeology. Established in 1984, the museum houses a vast collection of artifacts discovered in the sea, river, or Thau lagoon, reflecting Agde's geographical position at the crossroads of waters. The museum's collections span from the end of the Bronze Age to the first third of the 19th century, offering visitors a comprehensive look at a wide range of historical realities.
  22. Paul Valéry Museum22

    Paul Valéry Museum

     Sète
    The Paul Valéry Museum is a significant cultural landmark in the city of Sète. It is situated on the slope of Mount Saint-Clair, overlooking the marine cemetery where the renowned poet Paul Valéry is laid to rest. This location not only offers a rich historical context but also provides visitors with a picturesque view of the surrounding area.
  23. Agathois Jules Baudou Museum23

    Agathois Jules Baudou Museum

     Agde
    The Agathois Jules-Baudou Museum is a municipal museum situated in the heart of Agde, a city in the French department of Hérault, Occitanie region. The museum specializes in arts, popular traditions, and fine arts, offering a rich cultural experience to its visitors.
  24. Musée de la Marine24

    Musée de la Marine

     Étaples
    The Musée de la marine d'Étaples is a museum dedicated to the maritime history and culture of Étaples, a town in the Pas-de-Calais department of France. It is part of a network of museums in the Montreuillois region, which includes museums in the towns of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, Étaples, Montreuil, and Berck. The museum provides a glimpse into the lives of sailors and their wives, the local maritime habitat, traditional costumes, and various fishing techniques.
  25. La Maison de la Pêche25

    La Maison de la Pêche

     La Turballe
    La Maison de la Pêche is a museum situated in the picturesque town of La Turballe, nestled in the French department of Loire-Atlantique. This location offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the rich maritime history of the region while enjoying the scenic beauty of the surrounding area.