Musée d'Histoire Maritime - Saint-Tropez

The museum is housed in the keep of the Citadel of Saint-Tropez , built between 1602 and 1607 at the behest of King Henri IV to protect the city from pirates and foreign incursions. Saint-Tropez was once the third-largest port in the Mediterranean , and many Tropéziens made waves far beyond the borders. The Citadel was completely renovated in 2013 and transformed into a maritime museum following extensive restorations of the keep.

The museum tells the story of Saint-Tropez's maritime tradition , from local fishermen and sailors to captains who braved the oceans. Visitors explore approximately 21 thematic areas spread across several levels:

Ground floor : focus on local activities such as the port, shipyards (including the Grammont cable factory), fishing, cabotage, and the hydrography school for captains.

First floor : international maritime history with portraits of famous Tropéan naval heroes such as Pierre André de Suffren , Hippolyte Bouchard , and Jean-François Allard . Also featured are battle stories (marines of the war), transatlantic voyages, and expeditions beyond Cape Horn.

Terrace & Towers : Spectacular panoramic views over the bay and rooms dedicated to motorboating, modern pleasure craft, and the iconic boat "Virtuelle" designed by Philippe Starck.

The exhibition is designed as an immersive experience : you imagine yourself in the living room of a sea voyager, you travel to the icy waters around Cape Horn, and you end up near reconstructions of ships or fishermen's interiors. The imagery, sound, light and objects create a modern and captivating scenography. In 2020, a new room was opened dedicated to the Battles of Vélez‑Málaga (1704) – one of the fiercest naval battles during the reign of Louis XIV.

Willem Vandenameele