All you need to know about the Maritime Museum de La Rochelle

A nautical city par excellence, La Rochelle has a strong link with the coast and the ocean. Dive into the heart of a fascinating marine world at the Maritime Museum of La Rochelle and learn more about the history of the city and its heritage!

A brief history of the Maritime Museum of La Rochelle

The Maritime Museum was created in 1988, at the initiative of the association of Friends of the Museum of the Merchant Navy, Pleasure and Fishing of La Rochelle. The objective: to promote the maritime identity of the city to the general public. 

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Over the years, fabulous boats (some of which are classified as Historic Monuments) have joined the museum's fleet: 

• the meteorological frigate France 1, which became the museum's flagship;
• the Saint-Gilles, a deep-sea port tug;
• the steam dredger TD6;
• the classic trawler Manuel Joël dating from 1954;
• the frigate captain Leverger, an all-weather lifeboat;
• L’Angoumois, a former Dieppe stern trawler; 
• Joshua, the mythical ketch on board which Bernard Moitessier was the first navigator to complete a world tour and a half alone;
• L’Amiral Duperré, a major boat belonging to an escort ship of the French National Navy; 
• Damien, a light ship in molded wood aboard which Janichon and Poncet went to Antarctica by going up the Amazon river.

In 2015, the museum moved to dry land. New exhibitions are installed in the Galerie des Pavillons, a set of buildings covered with colorful sails. These new museum spaces offer both interactive and photographic exhibitions, permanent or temporary.

Located on the port of La Rochelle, a stone's throw from the La Rochelle aquarium, it is today one of the most visited La Rochelle museums.

What to see at the Maritime Museum?

Ships of the Maritime Museum of La Rochelle

The heritage fleet of the maritime museum is a unique collection in France. Of the 9 ships belonging to the museum, 8 are classified as Historic Monuments and 3 can be visited:

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On board the France 1, you will have access to the decks, the engine room, the wheelhouse and many other fascinating places. This NMS (Stationary Meteorological Vessel) can be visited at 90%!

Stroll on the deck of the Angoumois and visit the bridge of this impressive trawler!

On the Saint-Gilles, you can visit the captain's cabin and its small kitchen. Observe the superb DEUTZ engine from the deck of this courageous tug!

The museum spaces

On dry land, go under the pavilions to visit the large exhibition “La Rochelle born from the sea”. Tracing both the history of fishing and the relationship between the people of La Rochelle and the ocean, this exciting journey features portraits, tools, models and testimonies. Travel through time between the creation of the city in the year 1000 and the discovery of contemporary sea life and trades…

The Climate Ocean exhibition, the first major French interactive exhibition on the subject, is the result of a collaboration with the natural history museum. It makes visitors aware of the effects of pollution, overfishing and climate change on the oceans. A fun and moving experience.

Great photographers regularly take possession of the premises: Yves Salaün, Robert Doisneau and Yann Arthus-Bertrand have been exhibited there. 

What to do around the museum?

There is always something to do in La Rochelle!

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The Maritime Museum is located in the immediate vicinity of the city center. Take advantage of your visit to stroll on the quays of the Old Port or go shopping in the pretty cobbled streets of the city! Admire its many historical monuments, some of which date from the Middle Ages: 

• the Grosse Horloge;
• Saint-Louis Cathedral;
• the Saint-Nicolas Tower, the Chain Tower, the Lantern Tower…

Commercial, cultural and musical events enliven the city throughout the year: stay tuned to the cultural agenda so you don't miss the famous fairs and festivals of La Rochelle (Francofolies de La Rochelle, Grand Pavois, etc.). 

A little hungry? Direction the old La Rochelle market: under its picturesque halls, taste the local products or fill your basket for a delicious picnic on the pretty La Rochelle beaches or at Charruyer park, the green lung of the city. Do you prefer to eat on the terrace? The restaurants of La Rochelle welcome you for a quick lunch or dinner in a gourmet establishment. There is something for all tastes and budgets.

If you are staying in the region, do not miss to visit the islands of the Charente archipelago: Oléron, Aix and Ré are magnificent in any season!

Your hotel near the Maritime Museum of La Rochelle

Are you looking for a hotel in La Rochelle to stay for a family, solo or romantic stay? Discover our selection of establishments at the best price! Open all year round, they welcome you for a stay under the sign of comfort and tranquility.

Close to La Rochelle-île de Ré airport and La Rochelle train station, our hotels have an ideal location to explore the city and its region by car, bicycle or public transport. We provide you with private and secure parking to visit La Rochelle at your own pace…

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