Écomusée de Saint-Nazaire
Museum devoted to the history of Saint-Nazaire, its port, its shipyards and the local aviation story that began in 1923.
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About the museum
The écomusée traces the distinctive history of Saint-Nazaire, a town at the mouth of the Loire that became a major industrial port. It is located near the submarine base on the bank of the estuary and is part of the visitor offer run by Saint-Nazaire Agglomération Tourisme.
The permanent exhibition tells the story of the creation of the port and the town in the 19th century, the conquest of sea and sky, the quest for social progress, then the dark years of the Second World War and the reconstruction of the town in the 1950s. Nearly 170 liners were built in Saint-Nazaire, and large models, paintings, posters and photographs illustrate this epic.
One area is devoted entirely to aviation, which began in Saint-Nazaire in 1923 when the shipyards started building aircraft: from the first seaplane trials on the estuary to today’s assembly of Airbus planes. Models, collector’s items and an animated film present this history.
The museum holds the Musée de France label and the “Musée Joyeux” label from the association Môm’Art.
Highlights
- Large models of liners, seaplanes and shipyards
- History of Saint-Nazaire from the 19th century to the reconstruction of the 1950s
- Area dedicated to aviation in Saint-Nazaire since 1923
- Digital trail “L’itinéraire bis de Mathilde” included with admission
- Family workshops every Wednesday afternoon
- Operated by
- Saint-Nazaire Agglomération Tourisme
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Sixth-form students, students, job seekers, visitors with disabilities and their companion, large families, small groups of 10 to 19 adults, travellers with a transport ticket valid for less than 14 days. |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 3 · €3 rate for ages 4 to 17. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5Reduced rate for the visitor with disabilities and their companion. |
| Groups (20+ people) | –Special conditions for groups of 20 or more and for small groups of 10 adults or more. |
| Pass Renversant (Écomusée, Escal’Atlantic, submarine Espadon, EOL Centre éolien, unlimited access) | €30€15 for ages 4 to 17. |
| Pass Transat’ (Écomusée and Escal’Atlantic) | €16€8 for ages 4 to 17. |
| Pass Patrimoine (Écomusée and one heritage guided tour) | €10€5 for ages 4 to 17. |
Free admission: Free on the first Sunday of the month, except in July and August.
Free admission also with the Pass Renversant, with the Pass Nantes, and for holders of the Carte Éducation nationale on request 48 hours in advance. Payment by card, cash, cheque, chèques-vacances, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Pass Culture.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The site is partly accessible to visitors with reduced mobility: only the first floor is accessible. No specific facilities for hearing or visual impairments; no contraindication for visitors with an intellectual disability. Information: +33 2 28 54 06 40.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Activities and workshops every Wednesday afternoon throughout the year (boats, planes, town history); on the first Sunday of the month, a family programme in the morning and a special visit in the afternoon. The museum holds the “Musée Joyeux” label from Môm’Art. Free bottle warmer on request.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Petit Maroc · 6-min walk
From the station: HélYce line H3, “Petit Maroc” stop (about 6 minutes on foot); Ycéo line 6 Monday to Saturday, “Ruban Bleu” stop (about 14 minutes on foot). Saint-Nazaire is served by TGV and TER trains.
By car
Free parking
Parking in the immediate vicinity; the visitor brochure map shows a free car park near the écomusée.
About 10 minutes on foot from the submarine base, or a few minutes by bike; bike racks on site. Electric vehicle charging points are listed on the tourist office website.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi for visitors. Free bottle warmer on request, bike racks and a bike repair kit on request.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Self-guided visit of about 45 minutes with French-language panels and a digital self-guided trail included with admission. Visitor booklets in English, German and Spanish are available at reception. Themed tours as part of the Heritage Season. Animals are not admitted, except guide dogs for the blind. |
