Musée de la Vilaine maritime

About the museum

The Musée de la Vilaine maritime is in La Roche-Bernard in Morbihan, in a former mansion called the Château des Basses-Fosses. The building dates mainly from the 16th and 17th centuries, its most recent part going back to 1604, and it has cellars cut into the rock. The town bought it in 1983, and the museum opened there in 1987.

The collections comprise around 1,500 objects: shipbuilding tools, ship models, old everyday objects and traditional costumes. The route tells the story of the river and of the people who used its resources, the successive bridges of La Roche-Bernard, the Vilaine boats such as the chasse-marée, as well as the Bataille des Cardinaux of 1759 and the ship La Couronne, built in 1632.

The museum is run by the Association des Amis du Musée de la Vilaine maritime, in partnership with the Arc Sud Bretagne community of municipalities. Temporary exhibitions are held every year. Part of the premises has been closed to the public pending refurbishment.

Highlights

• History of the Vilaine and its boats, including the chasse-marée
• Shipbuilding tools and ship models
• History of the bridges of La Roche-Bernard
• Bataille des Cardinaux (1759) and the ship La Couronne (1632)
• Former Basses-Fosses château from the 17th century

Founded

1987

Operated by

Association des Amis du Musée de la Vilaine maritime

Visitors per year

approx. 11,000 (2023)

Admission & discounts

Admission of €2 to €4 according to the tourist office (categories not specified). Payment by cheque or cash.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the old quarter of La Roche-Bernard, rue du Ruicard.

Amenities & dining

Dogs and other animals are accepted according to the tourist office.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit