Lydia, Museum ship in Le Barcarès, France
The Lydia is an ocean liner from the early 20th century that has been permanently beached on the coast of Le Barcarès since 1967. The vessel features multiple decks with original fixtures including the bridge, dining areas with Australian timber, and exhibition rooms.
The vessel was built in 1931 at a shipyard and originally operated under a different name for an Australian shipping company. It was renamed Lydia in 1955, and years later was deliberately beached and permanently anchored as a cultural landmark.
The ship hosted entertainment events in the late 1960s and became a social gathering place for visitors seeking music and performances. It represented a shift from maritime work to leisure and cultural enjoyment on the water.
Visitors reach the ship on foot from the beach using a walkway entrance, and can explore all decks independently at their own pace. Wear sturdy shoes as interior stairs are steep in places, so allow time for a thorough visit.
The ship was deliberately pulled onto the beach through an artificially dug channel and has remained there as an unusual coastal landmark. This method of beaching was remarkable for its time and made the vessel a striking feature of the landscape.
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