Musée maritime et portuaire de Dunkerque

About the museum

The museum occupies a warehouse built in 1835 in the Citadelle district, destroyed by fire in 1868 and then rebuilt. In the 19th century, the building was used to store bales of tobacco destined for the Lille factory. In 1974, the State handed it over to the Communauté urbaine de Dunkerque when it was threatened with demolition.

The idea for the museum came from the dockers themselves: in the 1970s, they kept their tools, which had become obsolete. The association A.C.M.A.P.O.R. was founded in 1982 to save the warehouse. Work began in 1988 and the museum opened on September 26, 1992. It has held the “Musée de France” label since 2002.

In 2022, for its 30th anniversary, the Musée portuaire became the Musée maritime et portuaire, to better reflect the collections related to the sea. The permanent circuit covers nearly 1,600 m² and presents ship models, paintings, figureheads, technical objects, dioramas and panoramic paintings.

The museum is now multi-site: it also includes ships afloat in front of the building, including the three-masted Duchesse Anne and the lightship Sandettié, as well as the Risban lighthouse.

Highlights

• Permanent circuit covering almost 400 years of Dunkerque port history
• Immersive experience about the privateer Jean Bart aboard the ship La Palme
• Three-masted Duchesse Anne and lightship Sandettié, listed as historic monuments
• Port Center on the third floor, overlooking the port of today and tomorrow
• Risban lighthouse with views over the North Sea

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours permanent du musée – Nearly 1,600 m² on the port's history: models, paintings, figureheads, dioramas, a technical gallery, the Jean Bart immersive experience and the Port Center.
• Navires à quai – Visits to the three-masted Duchesse Anne, the lightship Sandettié, the tug Entreprenant, the barge Guilde and the pilot launch Pilotine No. 1.
• Phare du Risban – Climb to the Risban lighthouse for views over the North Sea and maritime Flanders.

Founded

1992

Visitors per year

approx. 78,848

Admission & discounts

Single-site tickets are valid for one day. Free admission for members of the Amis du musée association, ICOM card holders, press card holders on professional visits, and licensed guides. Reduced rate at the FRAC Grand Large on presentation of the museum ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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 boats and the Risban lighthouse are not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. Details on the museum's accessibility are presented on the website via the PictoAccess platform.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family package, family activities in the events calendar, birthday afternoons and activities for leisure centres.

Getting there & parking

By car: A16 motorway, exit 60, then towards the city centre of Dunkerque. Discount on presentation of a day TER Hauts-de-France ticket. The Risban lighthouse is about 25 minutes' walk from the museum.

Amenities & dining

An online shop is announced on the website.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The museum hosts professional events, photo shoots (photos, weddings and ceremonies) and birthday afternoons.

Plan your visit