Musée d'Histoire maritime de Saint-Tropez

About the museum

The citadel of Saint-Tropez was built from 1602 by the engineer Raymond de Bonnefons on the orders of Henri IV, to defend the coast against a possible Spanish invasion. It lost its strategic role in 1873, when its walls could no longer withstand modern artillery. The town bought it back in 1993; the building is listed as a monument historique.

The Musée d'histoire maritime is housed in the keep, which was thoroughly restored before opening in 2013. It tells the story of the seafarers of Saint-Tropez on all the world's seas: fishing, coastal trade and the merchant navy, as well as the town's role as the third most important French port on the Mediterranean in the 18th century. It also covers sailors in the service of the Ottoman Empire and whaling voyages that went as far as Cape Horn.

The circuit is organized into 15 themes with objects, short texts and staged displays: an imaginary captain's parlor, images of early 20th-century sailing ships and the excavation of a 16th-century tartane. On the first floor, eleven rooms present local activities (fishing, coastal trade, shipyards, torpedo and undersea cable factories). The upper floor is devoted to long-distance voyages and three personalities: General Allard, the Bailli de Suffren and Hippolyte Bouchard. The collections were bought by the town, loaned or donated.

Highlights

• Museum in the keep of the 17th-century citadel
• History of the seafarers of Saint-Tropez, from fishing to long-distance voyages
• Imaginary captain's parlor and images of historic sailing ships
• Excavation of a 16th-century tartane
• Remarkable view of the coast from the site

Permanent exhibition

• Exposition permanente : l'histoire des marins de Saint-Tropez – Circuit in 15 themes on fishing, coastal trade, the merchant navy and the long-distance voyages of the seafarers of Saint-Tropez.

Founded

2013

Operated by

Ville de Saint-Tropez

Admission & discounts

No reduced rate is listed. Free admission for ICOM card holders, with proof. Payment in cash, by check, by bank card (except American Express) and with ANCV holiday vouchers (chèques vacances).

Accessibility

• 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

Access for wheelchair users is reported as possible. The site holds the Qualité Tourisme label.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop and toilets on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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