At the mouth of the Loire, facing the ocean, Saint-Nazaire occupies a position that was bound to give it an extraordinary destiny. The ecomuseum invites you to discover the major stages of this history, in a privileged setting where river, sea and collective memory meet.

Built twice in one century, the town has lived through contrasting periods. Its history bears the marks of dark times, notably those of the Second World War, but also those of the impulses that have shaped it: the conquest of the sea, the industrial boom, aviation, social struggles and openness to the world. Saint-Nazaire was built to the rhythm of shipyards, ports and encounters.

The tour is based on a collection of objects, films and archive photographs. These documents tell the story of the city's human and industrial adventure, showing the daily lives of its inhabitants, the major urban transformations and the economic changes that have left their mark on the region. The scenography, accessible to all, allows visitors to understand the historical stakes without ever losing sight of individual trajectories.

The tour lasts around 45 minutes and is timed to suit the visitor's schedule. It offers a concentrated time of discovery, adapted to a wider exploration of Saint-Nazaire and its emblematic sites. Reservations are recommended to ensure a smooth experience.

This historical tour is the perfect complement to a stay in Pornichet. It sheds essential light on the neighboring area, providing the keys to understanding how a city turned towards the ocean rebuilt itself, reinvented itself and opened up to the world over the course of the XXᵉ century.