Audio Guide of Loire Boatmen's Museum

The museum is open from April to October: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 12:30pm and from 2pm to 6pm (closed Mondays). In winter it only opens on weekends. It is located at 1 Rue de la Marine, Sully-sur-Loire. More details on their official page.

General admission: €5. Reduced (students, over 65s): €3. Children under 12 free. Cash and card payments accepted. No advance booking required.

The average visit lasts 1.5-2 hours. It includes 3 floors of permanent exhibitions on the naval history of the Loire and temporary exhibitions.

It is the only museum dedicated to historic navigation on the Loire, preserving 500 years of batelière (river transporters) tradition, key to regional trade until the 19th century.

We recommend spring (April-June) or autumn (September-October) to avoid crowds. Wednesday mornings tend to be less busy. In July-August there are traditional navigation demonstrations.

Only the ground floor is accessible (60% of the museum). There is an entrance ramp but no lift to the upper floors. Adapted toilet available. Wheelchairs available on loan with prior reservation (+33 2 38 36 23 70).

500m away is the Château de Sully-sur-Loire, a medieval fortress with moats. We also recommend barge rides on the river and the Val de Loire Riverside Park.

Download our premium audio guide with a detailed tour and stories from former boatmen. Wear comfortable shoes and don't miss the 8m model of the boat 'La Monette' on the 1st floor.