Musée national de la Marine

Integrating classical collections with spectacular scenography, sculptural elements and state-of-the-art technology, the new Musée national de la Marine brings the power of the sea to Paris. Situated within the historic Palais de Chaillot in the heart of Paris, Casson Mann has transformed this museum into a bold visitor experience, where audiences can encounter maritime stories that feel fresh, personal, and relevant to their lives.



Casson Mann’s scheme includes huge, sculptural ‘landmarks’ that complement the heritage architecture and draw visitors through the galleries. Visitors begin the experience passing beneath a huge ship’s hull, where they enjoy an immersive film about the sea. Further landmarks punctuate their route – a stack of yellow shipping containers, the gilded ornamentation from La Réale, and a 20m-long, 8m-high wave, animated by a spectacular wave projection. These innovative installations act as chapter markers: they create separation between thematic galleries without the use of walls, minimising touchpoints that might disrupt the building’s curved interior. Physically and dynamically immersive, the landmarks serve to make this a museum truly memorable for a modern audience.



Emotional and multisensory moments prompt audiences to consider their personal relationship to the ocean. Olfactory exhibits and soundscapes cut visitors off from the outside world and foster their total immersion in each maritime environment: within the Wave landmark, the visual drama of the wave projection is enhanced by a subtle soundscape that captures the deep rumble of the sea and the smell of oil, evoking the impact of spillages. The museum is peppered with interactives which carry engaging stories and aim to make the maritime world accessible. The Art of Navigation gallery is a jewel-box of finely-engineered maritime devices, which visitors can appreciate more deeply after engaging with the digital and physical ‘Sextant’ interactive. Visitors move the physical sextant model to trigger action on the screen and learn how sextants are used to find one’s bearings at sea.



The result is an original and unforgettable museum, suitable for the 21st century.