25 years in the national navy
Built by the Chantiers Augustin Normand du Havre at the end of the 1950s, the Espadon was commissioned in 1960. At 77 m long, it is the penultimate offspring of a family of 6 submarines: the Narval class.
During its 25 years of service (1960-1985), it spent 2,561 days at sea and 33,796 hours submerged, covering 360,547 nautical miles, equivalent to 17 times around the Earth.
In May 1964, secret mission: it became the first French submarine to dive under the ice floe, crossing the 70th parallel north with its twin brother Le Marsouin. Inside, the temperature drops to 13 °C.
An immersive and sound experience
You descend inside the steel giant for a tour of approximately 40 to 45 minutes, audio-guided. Main corridor, machinery, operations centre, chart table, officers' quarters, torpedo room: all living spaces of the 65 crew members are accessible.
The tour has been entirely restored and now offers immersive sound installations: machine hums, sonar sounds, iceberg crashes… The submarine is ready to return to service.
Audio guide available in 9 languages: French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Polish. Two tours: adult and child.
Practical information
Fortified lock
Avenue de la Forme-Écluse
44600 Saint-Nazaire
Child 4-17 years: 6.50 €
Reduced rate (students, job seekers, large families): 11 €
Free for under 4s
Closed in January and from November to mid-December.
From L'Écrin des Nymphes
Saint-Nazaire and the Espadon are located approximately 22 km from the studio. Allow 25 to 30 minutes by car via the D213. Free parking in front of the fortified lock (2 accessible spaces).
It is possible to combine the visit with the submarine base, Escal'Atlantic or EOL Wind Centre on the same site: Saint-Nazaire offers several maritime visits accessible with a Pass.
Antonin's advice
« Book in advance, the visit is time-slot based and it often gets fully booked in summer. The sound experience is truly impressive: at one point you hear the ice cracking, it's striking. If you are afraid of enclosed spaces or have mobility issues, be aware that the interior is very narrow, it's worth considering. My tip: get a Saint-Nazaire Pass if you also want to see Escal'Atlantic or EOL, it's more cost-effective. »
Frequently asked questions
Where is the submarine Espadon?
The Espadon is located in the fortified lock, avenue de la Forme-Écluse, 44600 Saint-Nazaire, next to the submarine base. Allow approximately 25 to 30 minutes by car from L'Écrin des Nymphes via the D213.
How long does the visit last?
The audio-guided tour lasts about 40 to 45 minutes. You go inside the submarine to explore the different compartments: machinery, chart table, officers' quarters, torpedo room.
What are the prices for 2026?
Adult 13 € · Child 4-17 years 6.50 € · Reduced rate (students, job seekers, large families, mini-groups) 11 € · Free for under 4s. Reservation recommended by phone at +33 2 28 540 640.
Do you need to book in advance?
Yes, the visit is time-slot based and reservation is recommended, especially during the season. Reservations can be made by phone at +33 2 28 540 640 or by email at [email protected].
What are the opening dates in 2026?
Open every day from 1st to 4th January, from 7th February to 1st November, and from 19th to 31st December 2026. Closed in January (except for the first few days) and from early November to mid-December. Detailed calendar on saint-nazaire-tourisme.com.
Is the visit accessible for people with reduced mobility and children?
The submarine features narrow and enclosed spaces, accessibility for people with reduced mobility is limited. Pushchairs and backpacks are not allowed on board (free lockers available). A children's audio guide is available. A booklet titled 'Easy to Read and Understand' (FALC) is also offered.