Maillé-Brézé
Escorteur d’escadre (escort destroyer) of the French Navy, moored in Nantes and open to visitors on a guided tour, from the bridge to the engine room.
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Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Maillé-Brézé is named after Jean Armand de Maillé, Marquis de Brézé (1618–1646), nephew of Cardinal Richelieu. He was appointed Grand Admiral of France at the age of 24 and was killed at the age of 27 at the Battle of Orbetello. The present ship is the seventh of the eighteen escorteurs built after the Second World War.
She entered active service on March 4, 1957, and sailed for about ten years in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. From 1967 to 1968, she was converted at Lorient into an anti-submarine warfare ship (bâtiment de lutte anti-sous-marine), and on April 3, 1968, she was assigned to the Atlantic squadron (escadre de l’Atlantique) at Brest.
After she was decommissioned, the ship was entrusted to the association Nantes Marine Tradition. She was towed to Nantes in 1988 and became the first floating naval museum of this size in France. Today, guides take visitors around the engine room, the weapons and detection systems, and the crew's living quarters: the bridge, galley, bakery and infirmary.
Highlights
- “Bord et Machine” guided tour of about 1 hour 30 minutes
- Engine room and weapons and detection systems
- Crew living quarters: bridge, galley, bakery, infirmary
- Discovery visit for ages 7 to 13
- “Mission Infiltration” escape game
Permanent exhibition
- Visite guidée « Bord et Machine » – Guided tour of about 1 hour 30 minutes of the escort ship: engine room, weapons, detection systems and the crew's daily life.
- Founded
- 1988
- Operated by
- Association Nantes Marine Tradition
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €12Students on proof and young people aged 12 to 17 |
| Children & teens | €10free up to age 3 · Rate for ages 4 to 11; free for children under 4. |
| Students & apprentices | €12On proof. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €12 per personAdult rate per person for groups of 10 or more, booked at least one week in advance; primary school pupils €8, middle and high school pupils €10, students €10. |
| Families | –Families with at least three paying children get the student rate for the parents. |
| Visit of about 30 minutes during European Heritage Days, adult | €4 |
| Visit of about 30 minutes during European Heritage Days, child aged 4 to 11 | €2 |
The visit is included in the Pass Nantes, to be shown at reception.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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 notes that there are many steps to climb and descend on board. Dogs are not allowed on board.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Child rate for ages 4 to 11, free under 4, and a reduced rate for families with three paying children. Discovery visit for ages 7 to 13 and the “Mission Infiltration” escape game (booking on the website la13emeporte.com). The site points out many steps on board.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Gare Maritime
Tram, “Gare Maritime” stop.
The ship is moored at Quai de la Fosse, in Nantes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Online shop and book sales.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Rental for events, in particular in the officers’ mess (carré des officiers) and the Salle Richelieu.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | All visits are guided. A discovery visit is offered for ages 7 to 13; a separate visit exists for groups and young people from age 14. Groups of more than 10 people book by email. A mobile app is available. |
