Located in the heart of the docks, the historic port of Bordeaux in the 19th century, the Musée Mer Marine is a place for exchange and the promotion of world maritime heritage. Its founder, Norbert Fradin, also wished to reaffirm the link between the ocean and the city of Bordeaux.
The museum presents a permanent collection on the theme of the marine world and its interaction with the history and culture of humanity. The monumental vessel of the museum was designed by the architect Olivier Brochet and is anchored at the edge of the Bassins à flot. The Musée Mer Marine is a place of discovery, sharing and reflection on the ocean, a common heritage of humanity.
Unprecedented in its dual theme of “sea” and “navy”, the MMM deals with both the universe of the sea as a natural element, and that of the navy through the history of the relationship of men with the sea and the evolution of navigation. Its ambition is to be a space of production, diffusion and expression for all the actors and the public of the world of the sea, and more widely of the patrimonial scene.
Its massive structure, which evokes the body of a ship, is a mixture of sobriety and nobility. Its architecture, though contemporary, is timeless. Inside, there are no load-bearing walls, and the spaces are vast and wide open to create a dialogue between the outside and the inside, the pools and the museum, letting in the light.
The Musée Mer Marine is located in the heart of the Bassins à flot, a former commercial port of Bordeaux rehabilitated into a business and leisure district. The Bassins à flot were created in the second half of the 19th century to meet the growing demand for maritime transport linked to the economic development of the Bordeaux metropolis. The port buildings have been rehabilitated to accommodate shops, restaurants, housing, offices and public facilities, such as the Musée Mer Marine. The district is also known for its contemporary architecture, with buildings signed by renowned architects, such as Jean Nouvel or XTU Architects. Today, the Bassins à flot is a place to live and stroll, as well as a symbol of the urban transformation of Bordeaux in the 21st century.
As its name suggests, the Bassins à flot district is intimately linked to the sea. Since 2010, a vast development program for the entire site is underway. It is Bordeaux’s rich maritime past and “the pre-eminence of water, wherever you look”, that led Norbert Fradin to choose this area to set up the MMM. Where the Submarine Base, Cap Sciences and the Cité du Vin already stand, the Musée Mer Marine is the new driving force behind the extraordinary cultural development that is taking place in the city of Gironde, while at the same time reconnecting with the thread of its maritime memory.
With more than 10,000 marine objects (models and life-size ships, navigation instruments, maps and atlases) and works of art, the Musée Mer Marine retraces (in the tour located on the ground and first floors) the history of navigation techniques and displays in space the wealth of know-how implemented by sailors from all over the world, throughout the ages. It takes the visitor on a journey through the great discoveries, scientific expeditions and naval battles that have changed the course of history.
On the second floor, in this last part of the permanent exhibition, it is no longer a question of history but of oceanographic exploration. Visitors will discover the evolution of the oceans from their formation to the present day, marvel at the richness of marine ecosystems, and enter unknown environments while reflecting on the fragility of the oceans and the life they harbor and the solutions that can be brought to their preservation.
In addition to its two “matrix” themes of the sea and the navy, the MMM claims a privileged relationship with Art. This decompartmentalization is illustrated both within the permanent exhibition and through its temporary exhibitions.
Are you passing through Bordeaux and would you like to know its history and monuments from yesterday to today? Get on board the next red panoramic bus to follow the audio-guided tour. As you embark on your adventure in our visiotour, you will be comfortably seated in our double-decker bus to follow the tourist circuit which will make you discover the Blue Lion of Bordeaux on the right bank, the Grand Theater, the City of Wine and its belvedere, the Burgundy Gate.
During the summer period, you can visit Bordeaux in a more intimate way thanks to our convertible bus. You will discover the streets of Bordeaux full of history and anecdotes. Order now your tickets for your next visit to the city of Bordeaux.
Bordeaux is rich in history and heritage with its 350 UNESCO listed buildings. Each one more unusual than the next, don’t miss out on discovering them.
We have put together a list of the most important places in the Port de la Lune to visit…
“Jangala” is much more than just an exhibition, it’s a true sensory immersion in one of the planet’s richest and most diverse ecosystems. You’ll be transported into the depths of the jungle and plunged into a wild and mysterious world where nature reigns supreme.
Cap Sciences, as an emblematic venue for intellectual entertainment, uses its creativity to offer exhibitions, encounters, surprising activities and popular events. These experiences allow visitors to explore evolving knowledge, the latest innovations and topical issues.
The MÉCA is the the house of creative economy and culture of the “Nouvelle-Aquitaine” region.
This asymmetrical arched building is both a regional hub for creative players and a space for artistic discovery and interaction for the general public. Located at the other end of the crescent formed by the Garonne as it passes through Bordeaux, it represents the ideal complement to the Cité du Vin.