Musée maritime fluvial et portuaire de Rouen

About the museum

The association that runs the museum was founded in 1980 by enthusiasts who wanted to protect and publicise the maritime, river and port heritage of Rouen and its region. Little by little it gathered objects through purchases, gifts, loans and deposits.

In 1989, with the support of the Port autonome de Rouen, the collection was installed in port warehouse no. 13, on the Quai Émile-Duchemin. A first museum opened in 1994. After major works to meet the requirements for receiving the public, the museum officially opened in May 1999.

The museum is still run by the association, with the help of many volunteers. It houses several hundred ship models, many of them made by the Maquettistes navals rouennais. A shipwrights’ workshop, active since 2004, restores old and modern boats and, together with the Compagnons du Devoir, built a 1:5-scale replica of the Dauphine, the ship of the explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano. A work-integration project (chantier d’insertion), created in 2006, also contributes to the life of the museum.

Highlights

• Several hundred ship models, including the Thibault collection of more than 200 models at 1:500 scale
• The péniche Pompon Rouge, visitable with its original hold and wheelhouse
• The large engines and the history of the Chantiers de Normandie
• The history of Rouen’s bridges, including the transporter bridge
• The skeleton of a young whale stranded on the Normandy coast in 1927

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes – Ship models, engines from the Chantiers de Normandie, the Pompon Rouge péniche, and the history of the port of Rouen, its bridges, lighthouses, diving and Normandy seafarers.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Association du Musée maritime, fluvial et portuaire de Rouen

Admission & discounts

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

The museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility, except the rear cabin of the Pompon Rouge péniche and the walkways of the Thibault collection and the Chantiers de Normandie.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

“Verrazane” rally for children from 7 years old (€3 per child, up to 10 children per session, each with a parent), workshops on sailor’s knots and building small boats, an escape game and programmes for schools.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located near the Pont Flaubert and the Docks 76.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 80 guests.

Hire of the event péniche Pompon Rouge: 60 seated or 80 standing guests, for weddings, seminars and cocktail receptions. Rates on request.

Plan your visit