Housed in the Passy wing of Palais de Chaillot, the National Maritime Museum of Paris invites you on an exhilarating journey through over 250 years of maritime history. Officially established in 1827, its collections trace back to the Louvre’s “Salle de Marine” created in 1752 with models gifted to King Louis XV. Reopened in 2023 after a six-year renovation by Snøhetta and h2o architectes, the museum’s scenography by Casson Mann transforms the visitor journey into a true immersion in maritime worlds.

Visitors embark on a thematic course structured in three “crossings” exploring maritime past, present and future, with four “stops” showcasing the collection’s highlights. The exhibit features over 3,000 ship models—from barges and galleys to ironclads—and masterpieces like Joseph Vernet’s views of French ports. The magnificent reconstruction of the stern of La Réale and Napoleonic-era vessels provide breathtaking highlights.

The atmosphere blends heritage grandeur (restored vaulted halls) with modern immersive environments—soft lighting, curved forms evoking waves. Cutting-edge audiovisual installations, a mezzanine housing a café-bookshop, and a 220-seat retractable auditorium enrich the cultural and social experience.

The museum caters to enthusiasts (model makers, researchers, historians), families and casual visitors alike, with accessibility features for the hearing impaired, audio guides and workshops for children as young as 3 years old. Guided tours and thematic workshops are available, with workshops starting at €5. Thursday evening openings until 10 pm offer an intimate and less crowded experience.

Logistically, the museum is open daily except Tuesdays from 11 am to 7 pm (last admission at 6 pm), with extended opening until 10 pm on Thursdays (evacuation from 9:30 pm). It is closed on January 1, May 1, July 14, December 25, and closes early at 5 pm on December 24 and 31. The museum is easily accessible via metro (Trocadéro lines 6 & 9), buses (22, 30, 32, 63, 72), river shuttles (Batobus – Eiffel Tower stop), Kléber‑Longchamp parking, Vélib’ stations, and is fully wheelchair accessible.

All in all, the National Maritime Museum is a cultural hub at the crossroads of history, art, technology, and environment, offering a captivating sensory immersion for all audiences.