The Maillé-Brézé squadron escort, the only French surface vessel of this type transformed into a museum, will leave its home port in Nantes on Saturday to reach Saint-Nazaire. This warship launched in 1955, which welcomed some 25,000 visitors last year, will undergo a major refit for two months. Painting and welding work is planned to give a second lease of life to this historic monument.
A ship with a military past converted into a tourist attraction
Built at the Lorient arsenal in the 1950s, the Maille-Brézé served in the Marine nationale until 1988.
For almost 40 years, it has been moored along the Quai de la Fosse in Nantes where it can be visited. Despite its venerable age, this 132 meter building remains a unique testimony to post-war warships, with its period equipment remaining intact.
A luxury extra for Christopher Nolan and the cinema
The imposing silhouette of Maille-Brézé also attracted the attention of directors. In 2016, Christopher Nolan used it to play a British destroyer in his film “Dunkirk“.
The escort then participated in the filming of several other productions, documentaries, clips and series. Its value as period decor is highly prized.
A major project to renovate this historic monument
Classified as a historic monument, the Maille-Brézé must be maintained regularly. This fairing has 1 million d’euros, 85% financed by the statewill allow it to be completely repainted, welded again and ensure its watertightness.
A large-scale project given the dimensions of the ship, but necessary to preserve this exceptional maritime heritage.
A ship from another time soon to return to Nantes
With its “old-fashioned” facilities, the Maille-Brézé offers a fascinating dive into the past. Wooden bridges, exposed wiring, analog transmissions…
Quite a contrast to today’s stealth buildings full of electronics. After this facelift, the museum ship should be back at the beginning of June on the banks of the Loire, to the delight of Nantes residents and tourists.
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