Musée de l’Aéronautique Navale

Visitor Information

Location: Rond Point Albert Bignon, 17300 Rochefort, France.
Opening Hours:

Open on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The ticket office closes at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m..
On Tuesdays, hours are 9 a.m.–11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m..
On Saturdays, hours are 1:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m..
Admission Fee: Varies depending on whether it’s a guided tour or a group visit. Guided tours cost €10 for adults and €5 for children. Admission for children under 8 is free.

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By Dino van Doorn | GMAP.NL Team | July 2023

Naval Aviation Museum in Rochefort, France

An essential stop for military aviation fans and maritime history buffs

Located in the historic coastal town of Rochefort in southwestern France, the Musée de l’Aéronautique Navale (Naval Aviation Museum) offers a unique perspective into the fascinating world of French naval aviation.
It’s housed on the grounds of a former French Navy airbase and holds the largest collection of naval aircraft in France.
For aviation enthusiasts, military historians this museum is more than just a stop—it’s a deep dive into the technology, history, and legacy of the Aéronavale, the French Navy’s air wing.

The museum was founded in 1988 and later managed by the nonprofit ANAMAN (Association Nationale des Amis du Musée de l’Aéronautique Navale). Since 1990, it has grown into a rich, volunteer-driven institution with a strong focus on preservation, education, and public access to historical naval aircraft.
It’s spread across two large hangars — “Dodin” (exhibition space) and “Saint-Trojan” (restoration area) — on a site that once formed part of the active naval air base. The military ambiance still lingers, adding to the authenticity.

From Airships to Jets

The site’s aviation history dates back to 1916, when it operated as an aeronautical station using dirigibles (airships) for coastal patrols during World War I. Over time, Rochefort became a key training and operational base for the French Navy’s aviation branch.

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

Aircraft Collection

The museum boasts over 30 full-size aircraft, numerous helicopters, and more than 1,500 scale models, alongside engines, instruments, uniforms, and documentation.
Most of aircraft are in excellent condition and are displayed with informative panels in French, with some English translations available.

Here are some notable aircraft on display:

Dewoitine D.520 – One of France’s main fighters during WWII.
Étendard IV M & Super Étendard – Carrier-based strike aircraft central to French naval operations for decades.
F-8P Crusader – A naval fighter jet used by the French Navy from U.S. origins.
Bréguet Alizé – An anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
SA 321G Super Frelon – A large naval transport and rescue helicopter.
Panther & Alouette helicopters – Used in modern maritime operations.

Restoration Workshop

What makes this museum extra special is its on-site restoration hangar, where volunteers actively work on aircraft maintenance and reconstruction. Visitors can often observe these activities, giving them a behind-the-scenes look into aviation heritage preservation.
also the storage area outside the hangars is very interesting with some nice planes but in serious bad condition, but hopefully these will be restored soon or maybe only used for spare to preserve other models.