Initial opening 1962 (≈ 1962)
First opening in the dungeon.
1972
Temporary closure
Temporary closure 1972 (≈ 1972)
Closure for disrepair of the building.
1975
Project launch
Project launch 1975 (≈ 1975)
Reflection around the Museum of the Sea.
1978
Opening of the arsenal
Opening of the arsenal 1978 (≈ 1978)
Space transformed into a place of exhibition.
2002
Inauguration of *Oceans*
Inauguration of *Oceans* 2002 (≈ 2002)
Exhibition on underwater archaeology.
2005
Inauguration of *Rescue at sea*
Inauguration of *Rescue at sea* 2005 (≈ 2005)
New permanent exhibition.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Philippe de Kerhallet - Saviour at Sea
Owner of the exposed canoe.
François-Edmond Pâris - Admiral and collector
Masks exposed to the museum.
Origin and history
The Port Louis National Marine Museum is located in the citadel of Port Louis, Brittany, opposite the Compagnie des Indes Museum. It opened its doors in 1962 in the dungeon, before closing in 1972 due to the disrepair of the building. In 1975, a project for the Atlantic Sea Museum was launched, including a cultural part in the citadel and a museum floating on the past. Work began around 1980, aimed at restoring the revolutionary aspect of the citadel by demolishing recent structures.
The initial project of the Museum of the Sea is abandoned, and the interior space is recovered by the National Museum of the Marine. It opens rooms with models, boats and artillery elements, especially in the powder box, where parts come from the Gâvres DGA test centre. The arsenal became an exhibition space in 1978. In 2002, the exhibition Treasures d'Océans, dedicated to underwater archaeology, was inaugurated, followed in 2005 by Rescue at Sea, both located in the southern wing of the Loumel barracks.
The museum's collections revolve around two main themes: rescue at sea and the Far East maritime routes. The first part highlights ancient objects, ship models and audiovisual testimonies, such as Philippe de Kerhallet's canoe, restored in the late 1970s. The second part explores trade through navigational instruments, models of Admiral François-Edmond Pâris's collection, and objects from wrecks, including junk porcelain and Dutch ship Mauritius, shipwrecked in 1609.
The museum also offers temporary exhibitions such as Immersion (2023-2024) and Virginie Heriot. A navigator at the top of the Olympia (2024). These events complement permanent collections and attract a diverse audience, interested in maritime history and ocean explorations.
