Water, wind, boats, planes… The major ingredients for thrilling visits to Saint-Nazaire.
Only in Saint-Nazaire in the Pays de la Loire can you visit a submarine afloat, restored in 2021 but authentically preserved. Well hidden in the fortified lock, you can almost go around the Espadon before embarking on a trip under the ice… Well, almost! The immersive scenography is so realistic that we live this adventure intensely, thanks to the sounds, the play of lights and two audio-guided scenarios.
The adult visitor steps into the shoes of a sailor who embarks on the 1964 observation mission, the one that led the Espadon under the North Pole. It was, at the time, the first French submersible to touch the Arctic. For children, this story is told from the point of view of a “bidou”, the youngest of the submariner officers.
Espadon spent 2,561 days at sea and 33,796 hours diving; it travelled 360,547 nautical miles, the equivalent of 17 times around the earth. By climbing aboard and discovering the daily life on mission, it is a bit of his soul, and those of the French sailors who have dived with him, which is delivered to visitors.
Espadon submarine : fortified lock, on the port. Prices: €12, €10 (reduced), €6 (4-17 years old). Reservation of a visit slot on www.saint-nazaire-tourisme.com
EOL wind farm
Inaugurated in 2019, this immersive journey around wind energy highlights the history of electricity production over time and the necessary energy transition. All this through short films, objects, playful and interactive experiences (pedalling to produce electricity, for example). It also explains in detail the construction of the first French offshore wind farm, off Le Croisic, how it has been operating since the end of 2022, and how the environmental monitoring of fauna and flora is carried out there.
Practical: Free visit by reservation on www.saint-nazaire-tourisme.com or guided visit every day at 4 p.m. (included in the ticket). Prices: €6, €5 (reduced), €3 (4-17 years old). Lock Pass (EOL + Swordfish): €16 and €8 (4-17 years old).
The Grand Maritime Port of Nantes Saint-Nazaire
We set off to discover the terminals of Montoir-de-Bretagne (ro-ro, containers, bulk, etc.), a major site of the leading French port on the Atlantic coast . July 7, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28.
Practical: Reservation required on www.saint-nazaire-tourisme.com. Departure by bus from the submarine base. Prices: €19, €17 (reduced), €9.50 (4-17 years old).
Airbus Atlantic
Welcome to one of the largest European aeronautical centres, established in Saint-Nazaire for just 100 years. Under the naves, for 2 hours, we discover the assembly of the central tips and fuselages of the planes of the Airbus family. Fascinating!
Practical: reservation required by telephone up to 2 days before the visit on 02 28 54 06 40 (21 days before for reservations on www.saint-nazaire-tourisme.com). Departure by bus from the submarine base. Prices: €19, €17 (reduced), €9.50 (4-17 years old).