FNRS-3, Deep-sea submersible at Toulon Naval Base, France
The FNRS-3 is a deep-sea submersible housed at Toulon Naval Base, designed to conduct extended research missions in the ocean. The vessel featured a reinforced pressurized cabin and specialized buoyancy systems to operate safely at extreme underwater depths.
The vessel was originally built by Belgium and taken over by France in 1950 for reconstruction and research purposes. Its 1954 expedition became a landmark moment in deep-sea exploration history when it reached record-breaking depths.
The name FNRS-3 references the vessel's Belgian origins before France took it over for research purposes. It represents how nations shared scientific knowledge and resources during the post-war era to push the boundaries of ocean exploration.
Visitors can examine the vessel closely and understand how early deep-sea exploration technology was constructed and operated. The location on a naval base makes planning ahead important, as access may have specific conditions or restrictions.
The submersible used an ingenious system where thousands of liters of gasoline in its float tank controlled descent rate through careful water exchange. This clever design allowed operators to adjust depth gradually rather than relying only on mechanical controls.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
