Musée Maritime, Fluvial et Portuaire

Rouen is a port city on the Seine, about 120 kilometres from the sea, and for centuries ships have sailed up the river to its quays. The Musée Maritime, Fluvial et Portuaire tells the story of that trade, as well as of the river boats and barges that worked on the Seine. It is housed in a former port warehouse, Hangar 13 on the Quai Émile-Duchemin, which gives the museum a suitable setting among the working docks, and it was created by a volunteer association that formed in 1980 and opened the museum to the public in 1999, during the Armada of Rouen.

The Armada is a gathering of tall ships and warships that sails up the Seine at intervals of several years and attracts huge crowds, and the museum's opening was timed to coincide with it. In many ways the museum belongs to the same spirit, with its enthusiasts who restore boats and keep the memory of the river alive. The collections include more than two thousand objects spread over about 900 square metres. Ship models are a main attraction, from cargo ships to sailing vessels, and the detail of the rigging and hulls is the draw for many visitors.

The displays follow the history of the Port of Rouen and the changes along the river. They look at the long work to make the Seine navigable downstream of the city, at the great sailing ships that once carried goods such as nickel from New Caledonia, and at the destruction of the port during the Second World War, which left the quays in ruins. The museum also highlights the craft of the bargemen, the batellerie, and the Pompon Rouge, a barge on display, together with a traditional naval workshop where wooden boats are restored. An engine-powered barge can be seen in the courtyard.

The museum has also developed activities for families, among them an escape game based on a story of a Norman privateer, Jean Fleury, and a hidden treasure in the Seine, which makes the visit lively for children. As the museum depends on volunteers and donations, opening times are limited and can change, so check them before you go.

It is a small museum, and an hour or two is enough. It suits boat lovers, families and those who want to understand the industrial and working side of Rouen alongside its medieval churches. It is easy to combine with a walk along the quays and a visit to the Musée de la Céramique or the Rouen Cathedral.