Maillé-Brézé, Museum ship in Nantes-Saint-Nazaire sea harbour, France
The Maillé-Brézé is a steel destroyer extending 132 meters with multiple decks containing military equipment, crew accommodations, and technical installations throughout the vessel. The ship has been preserved to allow visitors to explore different areas, from the command center to the engine rooms.
The vessel was commissioned in 1955 and served the French Navy until 1988, when it was transformed into France's first floating naval museum. This conversion made it a significant monument preserving the country's maritime military history.
The ship displays how sailors and officers lived and worked on board, with galleys, sleeping quarters, and workspaces that remain visible today. These spaces tell the story of daily life and routines during the vessel's years of active service.
The easiest way to reach the ship is by tram line 1 to Gare Maritime station, from where you can easily walk to the harbor. Guided tours are regularly offered and provide a structured overview of the different areas of the vessel.
The ship retains its original combat systems, including radar equipment and artillery pieces, showing visitors genuine naval technology. These weapons and systems remain in their operational condition, offering a rare look at equipment used during active service.
Location: Nantes
Capacity: 347
Length: 132 m
Made from material: steel
Operator: Nantes Marine Tradition
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 15:00-16:30; Wednesday,Saturday,Sunday 14:30-17:30; Monday,Tuesday,Thursday,Friday 14:30-17:30; December 25,January 1 off
Website: https://maillebreze.com/fr
GPS coordinates: 47.20667,-1.57167
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
Nantes combines mechanical monuments, botanical gardens, a medieval castle and museums. The historical quarters, old squares and notable architecture reflect its maritime and commercial past. The city features parks, walks along the Loire and cultural institutions like the Art Museum and Natural History Museum. The Machines de l'île presents mechanical animals, including a 12-meter-tall elephant.
Machines of the Isle of Nantes
656 m
Les Anneaux
438 m
The Grand Elephant
565 m
Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery
567 m
Notre-Dame de Bon-Port
379 m
Carrousel des mondes marins
303 m
Anne of Brittany Bridge
470 m
Blockhaus DY10
561 m
Planetarium of Nantes
661 m
Quai Ernest-Renaud
185 m
Quai des Antilles
504 m
Parc des Chantiers
260 m
Hôtel Durbé
288 m
Salons Mauduit
672 m
Maison des Hommes et des Techniques
461 m
Hôtel de la Marine
644 m
Hôtel Garreau
474 m
Hôtel O'Riordan
525 m
Hôtel Allard
608 m
Immeuble, 8 place Mellinet
578 m
Hôtel Philippe
589 m
Immeuble, 6 place Mellinet
623 m
Immeuble, 3 place Mellinet
674 m
Immeuble, 5 place Mellinet
608 m
Immeuble, 8 rue Aregnaudeau
485 m
Général Mellinet
637 m
Amiral du Chaffault
109 m
Bourse du Travail
607 mReviews
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