The Musée National de la Marine in Toulon explores the long naval history of one of France’s most important Mediterranean ports. The museum is located at the historic 18th-century gatehouse of the former arsenal, once the entrance to a vast naval complex that stretched across more than 240 hectares behind the harbour.

The impressive entrance is guarded by statues of Mars and Bellona, symbolizing the military power associated with the French navy. The building itself is one of the few structures in the area to survive wartime bombardments.

Inside, the museum presents a remarkable collection dedicated to French naval history and shipbuilding. Highlights include detailed model ships such as the galleons La Sultane (1765) and Duquesne (1790), historic maps, paintings of Toulon’s harbour from the 17th and 18th centuries, and decorative figureheads from famous warships.

Visitors can also see naval instruments, cannons from the 1600s, and carved wooden figures by the sculptor Pierre Puget. Another section explores the Gymnote submarine, an early electric submarine developed in Toulon during the 1880s.

Located near the harbour, the museum offers a fascinating introduction to the maritime heritage that shaped Toulon and the Mediterranean fleet.

👉 Local tip: Combine the museum with a walk along Toulon’s harbour and the old arsenal area, where you can often see French Navy ships docked nearby.