Musée national de la Marine de Toulon

About the museum

The Musée de la Marine de Toulon is the first maritime museum opened in France. It was created by a decree of 1814 that gathered wooden sculptures and ship models in the arsenal, assembled since the late 18th century. Over the decades, the collections moved several times within or near the arsenal, notably to the Tour royale.

Since 1981 the museum has occupied its current building on Place Monsenergue, next to the Tour de l'Horloge and the arsenal's monumental gate. It is part of the Musée national de la Marine network, of which it is the only site on the Mediterranean coast.

The galleries were reorganised in 2012. The first floor traces the development of the arsenal and the naval port since the 17th century, and the second floor is devoted to the 20th-century arsenal, submarines and aircraft carriers. The collections include models of ships and galleys, carved decorative elements, navigation instruments, weapons, paintings and a torpedo.

Highlights

• Ship models, including La Sultane, L'Éclaireur and the galley La Dauphine
• Figureheads and decorative arsenal sculptures, including Neptune with his trident
• History of the Toulon arsenal since the 17th century
• Area devoted to submarines and aircraft carriers
• Tactile trail with models to touch

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent : l'arsenal et la marine à Toulon – Models, relief plans, paintings and scientific instruments trace the history of the arsenal since the 17th century and Toulon's current role as a major port of the French fleet.

Founded

1814

Operated by

Musée national de la Marine (établissement public)

Visitors per year

approx. 70,978 (2023)

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits, teachers with the Pass Éducation and members of the “Le Goût de la Mer” programme. No free admission on the first Sunday of the month. The Pass Patrimoine is accepted. Annual membership from €34 gives unlimited access to all of the museum's sites. The ticket is valid for the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The entire building is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. The lift to the second floor can be used on request at reception. Two all-terrain wheelchairs and twenty folding stools are lent free of charge. Induction loop at reception and, on request, for the audio guide. Tactile trail with two models (a 74-gun ship and a galley), a torpedo to touch and a Braille booklet; magnifying glass lent. Easy-read booklets (FALC) available on site or to download. Activities can be adapted on request via the accessibility officer (toulon@musee-marine.fr).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Storytelling sessions and workshops for families, free family meetings and the activity booklet “Mon carnet de bord”. Pushchairs are admitted if not too bulky; pushchairs and baby carriers are lent at reception. Changing table on request at reception. Birthday parties can be booked online.

Getting there & parking

The museum is close to the cycle path and holds the Accueil Vélo label; bike racks are about 500 m away, at the Préfecture maritime and Place d'Armes.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Drink and snack vending machines in the entrance hall; no restaurant. Bookshop at the entrance to the arsenal, accessible without visiting the collections. Free cloakroom for backpacks; suitcases not allowed. Eating and picnicking are forbidden in the galleries.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit