Maritime Museum La Rochelle

Museum in La Rochelle

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Patrick Despoix

The Musée Maritime de La Rochelle is a captivating museum located in the heart of the city’s historic port area. Established in 1988, it offers visitors an immersive journey through La Rochelle’s rich maritime history, showcasing a diverse collection of ships, exhibits, and interactive displays.

The museum features both onshore and afloat exhibits. On land, the “Galerie des Pavillons” presents the permanent exhibition “La Rochelle, born from the sea,” tracing the city’s evolution from its origins around the year 1000 to its development as a significant Atlantic port. The exhibition includes models, photographs, engravings, personal accounts, and artifacts that illustrate the maritime adventures and conquests that shaped the city.

Among the museum’s notable vessels is the France I, a meteorological frigate launched in 1958, which served until 1985 before becoming part of the museum’s collection. Visitors can explore the ship from the engine room to the commander’s bridge, gaining insight into the life of sailors and weather engineers.

Other significant ships include the Angoumois, a rear trawler built in 1969 and retired in 1992, and the Saint-Gilles, a harbor tug constructed in 1958. Both vessels are classified as historical monuments and are accessible to visitors.

The Maritime Museum La Rochelle appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting La Rochelle!

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Visiting Maritime Museum La Rochelle

Hours:

High season (June – Sept):

Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. & Sun.: open from 10am to 6pm

Saturday: open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday: weekly closing

Admissions close at 5 p.m.

Low season:

Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. & Sun.: open from 10am to 5:30pm

Sat: open from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Monday: weekly closing

Price:

€8

Address: Musée Maritime de La Rochelle, Place Bernard Moitessier, La Rochelle, France

Official Website