Naval Museum in Nantes and Warship Maille Breze, Nantes

The Naval Museum of Nantes, centered around the warship Maillé-Brézé, offers visitors a unique immersion into the history of the French Navy during the Cold War. Moored along the Loire River, Maillé-Brézé is the only preserved surface combat ship in France open as a museum. Built in the 1950s and commissioned in 1957, this 132-meter-long T 47-class destroyer served for over three decades in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, notably escorting France’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. Decommissioned in 1988 and classified as a historic monument in 1991, the vessel now stands as a powerful symbol of France’s naval heritage.

Visitors can explore the ship's original equipment, Cold War-era weaponry, and the sailors' living quarters, offering a comprehensive look into daily life on board. The museum also organizes educational activities in partnership with the Estuarium association, making it a valuable resource for schools and youth programs. In addition to its museum function, Maillé-Brézé serves as a venue for events, film shoots, and corporate receptions, reinforcing its role as both a cultural and historical landmark in Nantes.

Named after Jean Armand de Maillé, a 17th-century naval hero and Grand Admiral of France, the ship honors a legacy of bravery and maritime excellence. This is the third French warship to bear his name, continuing a lineage that underscores the vessel’s historic significance. Its presence in Nantes is also a tribute to the city’s naval industry, as it was constructed by Ateliers et Chantiers de Bretagne, reinforcing the connection between the ship and the engineering prowess of the region’s former shipyards.