Écomusée Travel through History

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Nestled between the Loire estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, Saint-Nazaire has experienced exceptional development around its harbour. Through models, objects, movies and historical photographs, the Écomusée explains the rapid growth of Saint-Nazaire, a city which was built twice in the same century. You will follow the unique human adventure of Saint-Nazaire from the prehistoric times to the twenty-first century. Family-friendly workshops are held throughout the year.

Welcome to the Écomusée

The great Saint-Nazaire adventure

Tucked away on the banks of the Loire estuary, the Écomusée tells the remarkable tale of Saint-Nazaire—its bustling port, thriving industries, and international connections. Through original documents and historic artefacts, you’ll discover a city shaped by its global outlook, where nearly 170 ocean liners were built. Explore impressive scale models, vintage paintings, posters, photographs, and technical items like lighthouse lenses, foghorns, and shipbuilding tools that bring the city’s maritime heritage to life.

A unique story

Saint-Nazaire’s history is a tapestry of triumphs and challenges—from the bold conquest of the sea and sky to the pursuit of social progress, alongside darker chapters such as the impact of the Second World War. This permanent exhibition takes you on a journey through time, from the founding of the port and town in the 19th century to the city’s remarkable reconstruction in the 1950s.

A permanent exhibition celebrating Saint-Nazaire’s aeronautical heritage

In 1923, the shipyards of Saint-Nazaire broadened their horizons, diving into the field of aviation. From early seaplane trials on the Loire estuary to today’s assembly of Airbus aircraft, aeronautics has been deeply woven into the city’s fabric. A dedicated gallery within the museum brings this fascinating—and often overlooked—industrial story to life. Models, historic artefacts, and a brand-new animated film vividly recount this significant chapter in Saint-Nazaire’s past.

©Module Aeronautique Ecomusee 2023|Grégoire Chauveau

Top 5 great reasons to visit the Écomusée:

Step into Saint-Nazaire’s grand transatlantic story: marvel at XXL scale models and historic artefacts that bring to life this golden era of the bustling port city.
Dive deep into Saint-Nazaire’s remarkable aeronautical journey, which began in 1923: a permanent exhibition reveals this captivating chapter in the city’s history.
Gain a new appreciation for Saint-Nazaire’s unique location: once the port of Nantes at the mouth of the Loire estuary, it stands as the gateway to the Atlantic Ocean, nestled between the Guérande peninsula and the Grande Brière marshes.
Be amazed by the towering models on display: from legendary ships and seaplanes to shipyards and Old Saint-Nazaire, these grand-scale exhibits are sure to captivate visitors of all ages — especially children!
A museum experience for the whole family: enjoy fun, hands-on activities every Wednesday during school holidays, perfect for discovering the city and the museum’s fascinating collections.

What our visitors think

“Very interesting tour! A bright space with fantastic scale models! I learned a lot about this city during the war and the evolution of shipyards”

“I spent an enjoyable time at the Écomusée while discovering the evolution of the city thanks to the maritime activity. The whole tour was really interesting”

“I liked what I saw at this museum a lot. The tour tells the story of Saint-Nazaire since the Paleolithic Era. Obviously the most detailed period is the Industrial Revolution, especially the development of shipbuilding, but that’s not all. This territory’s aircraft manufacturing industry was also moving rapidly at that time“

Visitor Info:

Self-guided tour, approx. 45 minutes.
The printed texts are available in French only.
Non-French speaking visitors will be given a free information leaflet upon arrival (available in English, German and Spanish)
More on this topic: “L’itinéraire bis de Mathilde”. Follow Mathilde from your smartphone, she reveals some of her favourites from the Collection. An interactive experience in French.
Animals are not allowed, except guide dogs for the blind.
See booking terms and conditions for groups of 20 people and more or our small groups offer from 10 adults.

Prices – Écomusée
*Full*	*Reduced*	*Children aged 4-17*
€6	€5	€3

The more you see, the more you save!

#PASS 4 sites Escal’Atlantic + Espadon submarine + Écomusée + EOL Centre Éolien
*Full*	*Reduced*	*Children aged 4-17*
€29	–	€14.50

#PASS Transat’ Écomusée + Escal’Atlantic
Full	Reduced	Children aged 4-17
€16	–	€8

#Pass Patrimoine Écomusée + 1 guided city tour OR the Dissignac Tumulus
*Full*	*Reduced*	*Children aged 4-17*
€10	–	€5

Reduced price (on presentation of proof): students, job seekers, people with disabilities with one accompanying person, small groups from 10 to 19 adults or upon presentation of a train or public transport ticket valid within the last 14 days.
Free admission:
- The first Sunday of the month (except July and August)
- Children under the age of 4
- Annual PASS holders
- Pass Nantes holders
Where can I buy tickets?
- On this website
- On site, 3 ticket offices: submarine base, fortified lock and Écomusée
Means of payment: cash, credit card (VISA and Mastercard)

Opening times

Last entrance 1h before closing time.

How to get here?

Écomusée is located at 15 avenue de Saint-Hubert, Saint-Nazaire.

It is a 10-minute walk or short bicycle ride from the submarine base (bike stands and lockers available on-site). For those driving, there are several car parks close by.

Public transportation:

Saint-Nazaire is served by both the TGV and the regional trains.
From the railway station, the nearest bus stops to Écomusée are:
- ‘Rue de la Paix’ (Hélyce line, daily) + 17 minutes walk
- ‘Ruban Bleu’ (U2 and U4 lines, from Monday to Saturday) + 14 minutes walk

Accessibility

Mobility impairment: the tour is partially accessible for mobility impaired visitors (the ground floor only)
Deaf and hearing impaired visitors: no specific arrangement
Blind and visually impaired visitors: no specific arrangement
Mentally impaired visitors: the tour does not contain any potentially problematic elements

For further clarification or information, please call +33 (0)2 28 540 640