A completely redesigned museum
After seven years of construction, the Musée national de la Marine in Paris, located in the Palais de Chaillot on Place du Trocadéro, will reopen its doors on November 17, 2023. From the cultural project to the architecture, from the museography to the visitor itinerary, everything has been completely rethought. The new organization and scenography make for a lively, interactive museum using the latest technologies.
An immersive visit
The tour begins by entering a life-size stylized bow, at the heart of an immersive marine environment. Visitors experience the sea through a film projected onto a hemispherical overhead screen, offering different views of the sea: in the depths, on the surface and in the air.
A thematic tour
Visitors then follow a thematic path around several galleries featuring more than 1,000 pieces, entirely restored during the construction period. The tour is structured around four "Escales" and three "Traversées . The former house the museum's flagship objects and the collection's "treasures".
These include the museum's must-see model boats, from toy boats to the largest 5 m models. The evolution of sea-keeping and navigation instruments, as well as naval sculpture, are also covered. Among the figureheads on display is the Réale, a galley that represents the aspirations of the Sun King, and one of the museum's masterpieces.
Fifteen large-format paintings depicting French ports in the second half of the 18th century are also on display in Les Escales.
The Traversées focus on themes linked to current, past and future maritime issues. The first focuses on the port of Le Havre, where visitors discover the many port activities and players, maritime routes, offshore energy, leisure activities and water sports. La Traversée "Tempêtes et naufrages" ("Storms and shipwrecks") takes visitors to the heart of a huge wave to discover the issues of solidarity linked to the dangers of the sea, through testimonies, monumental works and objects from famous shipwrecks.
Finally, the last gallery, on the theme of France's naval power, tells stories of ships and sailors, and provides an insight into the role of the French Navy and the development of the navy.
A museum for everyone
The Musée national de la Marine offers a wide range of possibilities for visitors, whatever their age, cultural background, knowledge or disability. Activities and self-guided tour tools enable visitors to discover the collections in their own way.
For families and children, the museum offers a variety of storytelling tours, guided tours, workshops and birthday activities for different age groups. A self-guided tour is also available for children and parents aged 6 and over. For 3-5 year-olds, a sailor's bag is available free of charge at reception, containing sensory material, a small logbook and a sensory map, to be used at eight points along the route.
Practical info
The museum is open daily except Tuesdays, from 11am to 7pm, with late-night openings on Thursdays until 10pm. Average length of visit: 1h30
Full price: ?11
Reduced rate for young people aged 18 to 25 and students under 26: ?9
Free for children under 18.
