Binnenvaartmuseum
Museum of the De Binnenvaart association aboard the pusher vessel René Siegfried in Dordrecht, covering the history and technology of inland shipping.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Since its founding in 1990, the De Binnenvaart association had wished for a museum of its own devoted to inland shipping. The opportunity came in 2004: the pusher boat René Siegfried, built in 1963 at the De Biesbosch shipyard in Dordrecht and used until then as a floating Rhine shipping museum in Nierstein, was offered for sale. The association bought it, had it thoroughly refurbished and set up in it the first and so far only Dutch inland shipping museum.
At first the exhibition occupied only the engine room and the fore peak; in large display cases, models, photos and everyday objects show the history of inland shipping. Owing to lack of space, in 2008 the association additionally bought a former LASH barge, which now serves as an exhibition space and tells the story of the development from wooden sailing vessels to modern push-barge shipping. In 2018 the motor vessel Marot, a ship of the "Franse motor" type, and the historic ferry Veerdienst 3 were added.
The museum is part of the association's Binnenvaartcentrum, which also includes a documentation centre, a reading room and a bookshop. A new theme is added every year.
Highlights
- First and only inland shipping museum in the Netherlands, aboard a pusher boat of 1963
- Display cases with ship models, photos and everyday objects
- Exhibition in the former LASH barge on the development of inland shipping
- Museum ship Marot (Franse motor) and historic ferry Veerdienst 3
- Virtual tours on the website
Permanent exhibitions
- Dauerausstellung Binnenschifffahrt auf der René Siegfried – Models, photos and everyday objects show the history of inland shipping in the engine room and fore peak of the pusher boat; a new theme is added every year.
- Ausstellung im LASH-Leichter – In the former LASH barge, the development of inland shipping is shown from wooden sailing vessels to modern push-barge shipping.
- Founded
- 2004
- Operated by
- Vereniging De Binnenvaart
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Maasstraat
From Dordrecht Centraal station take bus line 4 towards De Staart to the Maasstraat stop (directly behind the Prins Hendrikbrug on the Wantij), then cross the Maasstraat.
By car
Parking available
According to the website, plenty of parking at the mooring.
By car via the A15 (exit 23 Papendrecht/Dordrecht) towards Dordrecht Centrum, then into the Maasstraat before the Prins Hendrikbrug; after about 200 metres turn left to the René Siegfried's mooring.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Bookshop on board with new and second-hand shipping books, DVDs and flags.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum is located below deck on the René Siegfried; the Binnenvaartcentrum also includes a documentation centre and reading room. The association offers introductory programmes on inland shipping to upper primary schools in the Drechtsteden region. The website offers virtual 3D tours. |
