Located on the La Baule-Escoublac airfield, the Musée Aéronautique de la Presqu'île Côte d'Amour, better known by its French acronym MAPICA, invites visitors to discover almost 45 years of know-how and volunteer work in the service of aviation heritage. The museum houses a remarkable collection of aircraft from the 1930s to the 1950s, restored to the highest standards and, in some cases, kept in flying condition.

Visits allow you to get up close to the aircraft, to understand their lines, uses and technical developments. Each aircraft tells the story of an era, a historical context and major advances in civil and military aviation. Volunteers, the driving force behind the project, have been working for decades to preserve these aircraft, true witnesses of aeronautical history.

The tour is aimed at all ages. Younger visitors can try their hand at 3D simulators and pedal-powered aircraft, while enthusiasts can take time to observe award-winning aircraft and vintage engines on display. Among them, some rare models, such as a Hispano-Suiza engine that powered a Dewoitine 520 fighter during the Second World War, offer invaluable insights into the technologies of the past.

The museum currently displays nine aircraft, several of which are in flying condition, while others are undergoing restoration. One of these projects is being carried out in partnership with the Airbus heritage association "Je Me Souviens", illustrating the close links between industrial memory and transmission.

Entirely on one level, the museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Chairs are provided to facilitate the visit, and adapted equipment completes the reception area. Two parking spaces are available at the entrance, as are accessible sanitary facilities.

Recognized for the quality of its work, MAPICA has been awarded the "Atelier du Patrimoine Aéronautique Vivant" label by the heritage commission of the Aéro-Club de France and the DGAC, a rare distinction in France. Admission is free, allowing everyone to discover this heritage without restrictions.

This tour is the perfect complement to a stay in Pornichet. It offers a cultural and technical interlude, just a few kilometers from the coast, and provides a better understanding of the aeronautical history that has accompanied the area's development.