Espadon Submarine

The submarine Espadon

The Saint-Nazaire audio-guided tour invites you to board the submarine Espadon, a museum ship moored in the fortified lock.

The first French submarine under the ice pack

The Espadon is the last representative of the Narval class, submarines built in France in the 1950s. In service for twenty-five years for observation and training missions, it marked history by becoming the first French submersible to dive under the ice pack. In May 1964, during a mission accompanied by its twin, the Espadon and its sixty-five crew members crossed the polar circle, despite a difficult internal temperature, in order to test the equipment and the reaction of the men on board. Decommissioned in September 1985, this steel giant seventy-seven metres long is today a museum ship. Deeply restored in 2021, it offers an immersive visiting route, carried by realistic sound effects, which immerses the visitor in the demanding daily life of submariners.

What there is to see

The visit of the Espadon takes one through the gangways, the command post and the cramped living spaces of a real submarine. Sound effects and staging bring back to life the mission under the Arctic and the daily life of the crew. It is an immersive and striking experience, in encounter with the history of the French navy.

Practical information

The submarine Espadon is moored in the fortified lock, on the port of Saint-Nazaire. The visit, subject to a charge and lasting about forty-five minutes, is accompanied by an audio guide available in several languages; the hours are to be checked on site.

What is exceptional about the submarine Espadon?

It was the first French submarine to dive under the ice pack, during a mission beyond the polar circle in May 1964.

Can one visit the interior of the submarine?

Yes, the Espadon is today a museum ship that can be visited with an audio guide, through an immersive route.