port museum (port-musee)

This is my kind of museum. No faded photographs, dressed up shop dummies or dusty rows of glass cabinets, here. Nothing preserved in aspic or stuffed with sawdust! Instead, at this working river port in a small Breton town, there is a long wooden jetty with a variety of different boats moored up alongside, all of which are floating on the water as they had during their working lives and many of which you can board and explore. Even though I would not say I am a boat enthusiast, there is something exciting about being able to stand on deck, pose in the wheelhouse, clamber down into the engine room or marvel at the ingenious use of the very limited space in the living quarters. The boats come in all shapes, colours and sizes and make a very picturesque scene.Well worth a visit. Unless you are really deeply into your boats, I would say an hour or so is enough time but there are enough attractions in the local area to combine it with and make up a full day. I, for instance, went on to visit the nearby, picturesque village of Locronan.

Can easily spend a most of a day here - museum really interesting and the outdoor exhibits are just fab -climb all over three boats and take your life in your hands on all the step ladders and steps. We had lunch at quite a reasonable creperie next door before tackling the boats.Entry fee includes audio guide if required. Outdoor boats not suitable for mobility-challenged or very young.

This kept a 6 year old and his parents entertained for an afternoon. The audio guide is really useful, if somewhat hilarious at times. The seasonal exhibits weren't on the guide and the only written explanations were in French, which was the only downside. Great value for money.

Wonderful. A great collection of boats from around the world. The main building has a real fishing boat on which our children played for over an hour (3 and 8 years old). It has all the real equipment of a working boat, including radios, GPS etc and a kitchen. There are then more boats to explore outside on the river. They are realistic, rough, dirty and great fun - not over-restored.The Sinbad exhibition (about Arab traders) and the Box exhibition (about container shipping) are brilliant. There is a massive reconstruction of a container port in Lego. I think these might be temporary exhibitions, but of very high quality.Audio tour devices in English are worth using. There is a good crepe and moules cafe next door.

We visited the Port-Musee with our two children (12 & 14) and everyone of us were captivated. It was so compelling that we went for lunch then came back to spend more time at the museum. The boats are wonderful and the text and audio-tour are fabulous, I think our 12-year-old could have spent even more time there. That said, a short visit would be most worthwhile as well. If you are in the area this medium-sized museum is well worth a visit.

Interesting maritime museum. But the ships exhibited is in a poor state.I wish they were better looked after.

We went to La Port Musee in June for a quick look one afternoon not realising how big it is and that we should have come earlier in the day. You start with the 'floating' museum on the quays which involves walking around the outdoor exhibits and the ships. Very interesting. Across the road the indoor section is huge. Allow yourself plenty time. There are boats and displays on all things maritime from all over the world. Excellent value for money and a really well designed museum. Plenty parking nearby.

I went to the museum to avoid the heat for half an hour but was still there 2 hours later! There is something for all ages and interests - history of fishing in Douarnenez, life size examples of boats from various countries and different ages, great photographic exhibition, children's interactive section, video showings (with seats and air conditioned!) and an outdoor section in the estuary where we had an opportunity on board the boats. A nice bar/crêperie next door was an automatic stop for refreshments - also recommended.

The museum is in two parts, one part s based in an old industrial unit connected with Sardine Fishing, I believe, and also has some floating exhibits. The shore based display has a range of different boats from around the world, with audio hand sets in English (and other languages) to explain them, provided for free! there are also changing displays, we saw one on the Vikings, as well a lot of information about the local (dying) sardine industry. The outside display consisted of boats in the harbour, in various stages of restoration, some of which you could inspect. The museum closed for lunch, but a ticket lasts all day, and there is a lot to see, but well presented and kept very clean, not in the dusty state some of these museums seem to get into.

Wonderful variety of things to see do photograph and explore. The St Denys tug from Falmouth is the picture I use for Trip Advisor and after several visits this museum is still a wonderful experience

We found ourselves in Dournanez by accident, but we had a great day at the Port Museum. The indoor part involved the history of the region (in particular the sardine - and the old photos really brought the history to life), some beautiful hand build wooden racing boats and then some that were just strange! The small area showing the history of french lifeboat men & their old safety & flotation equipment was thought provoking.I loved the outdoors part though, where you get to clamber in and out of old trawlers & barges. No safety net or 'elf & safety here - you explore these old girls using the same stairways & passages that the crew would have done - including the engine rooms. Amazing to see the cramped bunks, small galleys and working areas up close and personal.On the boardwalk there is a guy demonstrating rope-craft, where you can join in & compete should you feel the need - good job I know my reef knot from my bowline! For the electronics buff there is a large room dedicated to ancient marine telephony - probably would appeal to someone. For me it was a day thoroughly well spent. Loved it!

the museography, the models of the sailling boats, the historical information, all the maps, the distribution of the pieces, the architecture inside the building. light and space distribution

There is one indoor part and one outdoor part of the museum. The indoor part is very good with instructive illustrations and nice exhibits. The outdoor part is a collection of old boats in a very poor shape. Restoration work is underway on some boats, but there are so many being in such a miserable shape that they should not be exposed to the public. Almost a boat churchyard. It is a pity because the boats have probably made a proud job when in use. Being exposed in this way makes me sad. Another strange detail is that you have to go to the indoor part of the museum to buy tickets to see the moored boats at the pier. This is not logical. As both parts of the museum has to be rated as one, it has to be an average rating. Otherwise, the indoor is excellent, the outdoor is terrible.

This is a nice museum whit a great collection of boats from different cultures around the world and pictures that tell the stories. I was surprised by the inventiveness of people. Some boats were just made of tarred cloth on a frame. I wouldn't like to be on open sea in such craft, but the photo's showed what it must have looked like. Some boats can be explored on the inside as well. As a bonus there are some bigger museum-ships in the port. I think kids will love this museum as well, because it's is not to big and you can get on some of the boats. The museum is closed at lunchtime, this is something to take in account when planning your visit. But luckily our ticket was valid all day. But I'm not sure if the museum will be closed at lunchtime in high season as well.

We only had time to wander over the historical boats moored by the quay, but really enjoyed the experience. By being able to explore nearly all the nooks and crannies of the boats, one can become absorbed in some of the reality of living and working at sea in such craft. If fishing, boats or history are your interest, then don't miss this experience.Regretfully, most of the exhibits were in a very poor state of repair and some were closed to public access. So I feel that if they are allowed to continue to disintegrate, an important aspect of the Port Museum will eventually be lost.