French submarine Alose, Submarine memorial in Marseille, France

Alose is a Naïade-class submarine launched in 1904, now resting on a metal cradle outside the COMEX headquarters on boulevard des Océans in Marseille. Its light-grey hull, 23.7 metres long and 2.3 metres in beam, is streaked with rust and pierced by a large black opening on the side. A raised sail and a tubular fitting run along the top, both with railings.

The submarine was launched in 1904 at Toulon Arsenal and served the French Navy until 1914. It then became a target ship and later sank near Fréjus.

The boat is named after the alose, the shad, following the French Navy's practice of naming submarines after fish. It is the oldest surviving French submarine and has been listed as a monument historique since 21 February 2008. It stands outdoors beside the COMEX headquarters on boulevard des Océans in Marseille, not inside a museum.

The submarine stands outdoors at the entrance to the Comex headquarters on boulevard des Océans in Marseille, not in Toulon. It is visible from outside without entering the building, and the hull can be examined up close on foot. Look for the large black opening cut into the rusted grey side.

Alose is the oldest surviving French submarine. It was raised in 1976 by COMEX after 15 days of dredging work, bought from the Domaines, then sandblasted and repainted before being placed outside the company's Marseille headquarters. It has been listed as a monument historique since 21 February 2008.