Espadon submarine

The first French submarine to dive under the ice field

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea… do you remember? Maybe the Nautilus, the submarine in French writer Jules Verne’s famous novel, was one of your childhood favourites. In Saint-Nazaire, you can visit a real submarine. During her 25-year-long military career, the Espadon (“Swordfish”) sailed under the seven seas. She was also the first French submarine to sail beyond the Arctic Circle. So, are you ready to shiver?

In May 1964, the Espadon was sent on a secret mission to the ice fields along with its sister ship Le Marsouin, to dive into the unknown. The Espadon crossed the 70th parallel north into the Arctic, where the temperature plummeted: 13°C! But the submariners were delighted, as the Espadon was the first French submarine to cross into the Arctic Circle. This mission had several objectives for the French Navy: testing how the equipment and the crew reacted and ensuring that there was a French presence north of Iceland.

The visitors’ circuit
1964: mission under the ice field

Having been extensively restored, the Espadon now has a new, innovative circuit for all visitors, one that gets you even more involved. You’ll follow the crew on a secret mission to the North Pole that took place in real life back in 1964.

First, you’ll stroll around the quayside and go down to the surface of the water where the views are incredible and the submarine is in full view. The play of light and reflections give you an entirely fresh perspective of this mysterious vessel.

Once on board, explore the main passageway, the listening station and the torpedo room and imagine what it would be like at the depths of the sea. Here, the 65 crew members shared everything: cramped living spaces, narrow bunks and a single shower. Follow at your own pace, using a modern audio-guide to plunge you into the world of the submariners as they undertook a special mission that took them to the Arctic Circle. An additional audio-guide circuit has been especially designed for our youngest visitors, who can follow Jean – the youngest member of the crew.