Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The project of a Marine Museum in Port Louis was born in 1973, with the aim of creating a space dedicated to the sea and the Atlantic. Two years later, in 1975, the Minister of Defence made available the citadel of Port Louis, accompanied by the necessary funds for its restoration. The works, carried out in agreement with the Historical Monuments, allow to open from 1976 dedicated spaces, including a room presenting heritage boats in 1978, as well as an arsenal and a powderbox exhibiting ship models and the contemporary marine.

The citadel, originally a dungeon retracing local history, had been closed in 1962 for being outdated before its conversion. In 2003, the boat hall gave way to the Treasures d'Océans course, focusing on the archaeology of the Far East maritime routes, then in 2006 to the Rescue at Sea route. However, the arsenal and the powder box close in 2015 for renovation. The museum is distinguished by its unique collections, such as navigation instruments, ship models, and a porcelain linked to the maritime universe.

The site, classified as Musée de France, enjoys an exceptional setting: the citadel, perched on a rocky escarpment, offers a panorama of the island of Groix, Gâvres and Larmor-Plage. Its themes cover archaeology, fine arts (print, painting), military history, and technical sciences (navigation, fishing), with objects ranging from weapons to traditional costumes. The official address, Avenue du Fort de l'Aigle, confirms its anchoring in the Morbihan, in the heart of Brittany.

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