Musée maritime de La Rochelle

About the museum

The Musée maritime de La Rochelle grew out of a desire to save the maritime heritage of the region's ships. When the weather ship France Ⅰ ended its service on 31 December 1985, the city decided to acquire it as the flagship of a future museum. It entered the collections in 1988, was listed as a historic monument in 2004 and restored in 2004 and 2005.

The museum is housed in the trawler basin of the Vieux-Port. Its heritage fleet comprises nine boats, three of which can be visited afloat: the France Ⅰ, built at Le Havre in 1958, the trawler Angoumois and a third vessel of the fleet. Around 90% of the France Ⅰ is open to the public, from the engine room to the wheelhouse. Other notable vessels include the ketch Joshua, linked to Bernard Moitessier's solo round-the-world voyage, and the tug Saint-Gilles.

On land, a permanent exhibition tells the story of the port and the city, and the former Halle de l'Encan, a former fish auction hall, houses a collection of small pleasure boats as well as temporary exhibitions. The institution is part of La Rochelle's municipal museums.

Highlights

• Visit to the weather frigate France Ⅰ, from the engine room to the wheelhouse
• Trawler Angoumois and a heritage fleet of nine vessels
• Permanent exhibition “La Rochelle, née de la mer”
• Collection of small pleasure boats in the former Halle de l'Encan
• Sailors' games for everyone: palet, line throwing, sailor's knots

Permanent exhibitions

• La Rochelle, née de la mer – The permanent exhibition presents the history of the port of La Rochelle and its link with the ocean, with objects and testimonies.
• Flotte patrimoniale : France Ⅰ et Angoumois – Several historic ships can be visited afloat, including the former weather ship France Ⅰ and the trawler Angoumois.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Ville de La Rochelle

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month, except in July and August.

Free admission also applies to job seekers, recipients of the RSA (French minimum income) or holders of the CMI card (with a companion for the CMI card), group leaders and members of certain associations and of ICOM and ICOMOS. The ticket gives access to the heritage fleet, the permanent exhibition, the former Halle de l'Encan and part of the Petite Plaisance collection.

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

All ground-level spaces and exhibitions are accessible. Access on board the ships may be limited or impossible for visitors with reduced mobility. Pushchairs cannot go on board but can be left under supervision at reception. The museum recommends contacting it in advance for specific needs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

A discovery booklet for ages 5 to 8 accompanies the exhibition “La Rochelle, née de la mer”, and a ship's logbook for ages 7 to 10 for the visit to the France Ⅰ. During school holidays, hands-on and playful workshops about the sea and ships are organised for younger children. A birthday treasure hunt (1 hour 15 minutes, €35) is possible on board the France Ⅰ for ages 7 to 12, on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, by reservation. Pushchairs cannot go on board the ships.

Getting there & parking

The ferry runs from 07:30 to 22:00 in May and from 07:30 until midnight from June to September.

Amenities & dining

A picnic area is available near the museum; independent restaurants are located nearby.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Spaces for hire during or outside opening hours: Salle Lübeck, auditorium, the aft deck of the France Ⅰ, the forecourt of the Encan and the picnic area. All are wheelchair-accessible except the France Ⅰ. The three main ships can be visited as an addition to a private event.

Plan your visit