You’ll be immersed in France’s maritime history from the moment you enter the museum—the entrance is designed to resemble a ship's prow. Thanks to the recently renovated galleries’ undulating shapes and video installations, you might even feel like you’re at sea. The museum’s permanent exhibitions cover everything from the art of navigation and maritime carving to shipwrecks and France’s history as a naval power, all while centuries-old model ships, gilded figureheads, and sculptures offer visual splendor.
Housed in the Palais de Chaillot and located in Paris’ museum-packed Trocadéro district, the National Marine Museum is an excellent choice for visiting culture lovers, families, and history buffs as part of an educational day out.
Don’t forget your camera: The National Marine Museum is across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower and offers exceptional views of the Paris icon.
The National Marine Museum is fully accessible to disabled visitors, and wheelchairs, seats, and strollers are available to rent.
Stop at the museum’s restaurant, Le Carré de l’Amiral, which serves fresh meals throughout the day.
Visit the museum’s gift shop and concept store for souvenirs.
The National Marine Museum is located in the Palais de Chaillot, in the heart of the city’s Trocadéro complex. It’s just steps from Trocadéro station (served by Métro lines 6 and 9) and a short walk from the Champs de Mars Tour Eiffel and Pont de l’Alma stations, served by line C of the RER commuter train. Numerous bus lines frequent the area, while taxis and rideshare services offer another way to visit.
The National Marine Museum is open every day except Tuesday, from morning until evening (with extended opening hours on Thursday evenings). It is closed every year on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. For the calmest viewing experience, avoid weekends, summer, and other school holidays.
Few areas of Paris offer such a heavy concentration of historical and cultural landmarks as the Trocadéro. The Palais de Chaillot alone is home to the Museum of Man (Musée de l’Homme) anthropology museum; the City of Architecture and Heritage (Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine); and the Chaillot National Theater of Dance (Chaillot Théâtre National de la Danse). Then there’s the Aquarium de Paris and the Trocadéro Gardens, with their views of the Eiffel Tower.
