Espadon, Attack submarine museum in Saint-Nazaire, France
The Espadon is a French military submarine from the late 1950s now open to visitors as a museum. Inside, you can walk through the tight spaces where crews worked and lived while the vessel traveled underwater.
The vessel was built in 1958 and entered service in 1960 during France's naval modernization. After decades of active duty, it was converted into a museum in Saint-Nazaire where it now serves as a reminder of maritime history.
The submarine reflects how France rebuilt its navy after the war and developed its own underwater technology. You can see the engineering solutions and craftsmanship that made this vessel work.
Access to the vessel is through a former German bunker structure now serving as the museum site. Wear comfortable shoes since the stairs and corridors inside are narrow and steep.
In 1964 this submarine became the first French one to sail beneath pack ice, reaching far into Norwegian waters. This expedition proved that French naval vessels could operate in extreme polar conditions.
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