Maritime, Fluvial and Harbor Museum of Rouen facts for kids

The Musée Maritime, Fluvial et Portuaire de Rouen (which means the Maritime, River, and Port Museum of Rouen in English) is a cool museum in France. It tells the amazing story of the port of Rouen, which is one of the biggest and most important ports in France!

A powerful Sulzer engine from 1937, like those used in old fishing boats.

Discover the Rouen Maritime Museum

This museum is all about the history of the port of Rouen. It shows how the port grew over time and became so important. You can learn about the huge ships that sailed from Rouen and the brave sailors who worked on them.

What You Can Explore

The museum has lots of interesting things to see and learn about. Here are some of the main topics you can explore:

• The exciting history of the port, with old photos that show how it changed.
• How the port was built, including its amazing structures and buildings.
• The biggest and most famous sailing ships that called Rouen their home.
• The world of the merchant navy, which is all about ships carrying goods around the world.
• How people navigated rivers, using special boats and techniques.
• The art of ship building, from small boats to giant vessels.
• The history of whale hunting, which was once a big part of maritime life.
• The story of submarines, including a cool model of the inside of the Nautilus submarine, designed by Robert Fulton.

Hangar 13, the old port building where the museum is located.

Amazing Exhibits to See

When you visit the museum, you'll find some truly impressive exhibits. Imagine walking through a real, huge barge that is 38 meters (about 125 feet) long! You can go inside and see what it was like.

You'll also see powerful engines from trawlers (fishing boats) and barges. These engines helped move big ships and boats through the water. One of the most unique things you can see is a real whale skeleton! It's a reminder of the ocean's giants.

Where to Find the Museum

The museum is located in a really cool spot: an old hangar (a large storage building) that used to be part of the port itself. It's right by the water, not far from the city's newest bridge. This makes it a perfect place to learn about Rouen's rich maritime past.