• After four months of restoration, the Espadon, the only submarine moored afloat that can be visited in France, reopens to the public on Saturday.

  • 20 Minutes had the chance to do the two new routes offered to the general public.

“Let's get on board now! "After the tour of '

Swordfish

, one of four French submarines that can be visited, but the only moored afloat, a voice urges us to get on board and experience the adventure with sixty of submariners. We look forward. The old military machine based under the fortified lock of Saint-Nazaire intrigues and fascinates by its length (77 m) and its wingspan (1,200 tons).

After four months of restoration, the

Swordfish

has had a little makeover and has everything to please visitors who will be able to rediscover it (from Saturday) thanks to a new tour route.

You can choose from: you are on a mission to the ice floe (hence the name “1964: mission under the ice floe!”) Accompanied by Marc, a reporter who came to immortalize this expedition on behalf of the national navy, or you are Jean le bidou, the youngest crew member authorized by the captain for a visit for children.

"Be careful with your head and your feet!"

"

On Wednesday morning, during the inauguration of the restored Espadon, we had the chance to do the two courses of about forty minutes each, equipped with an audio guide headset. Jean le bidou's more educational and lively adventure in “the most beautiful submarine in the world” charmed us. After having traversed the quays of the fortified lock (and adjusting the sound of our audio guide so as not to miss a bit of the explanations), here we are a few meters from the

Espadon

. The submarine is not looking its age (it was commissioned in 1960). Almost no "wrinkles" on the hull, although it was badly damaged when restoration work began at the start of the year.

“Outside, it's huge.

Inside, it's very small and full ... Pay close attention to your head and your feet!

», Advises Jean le bidou when entering the first French submarine to have plunged under the ice in 1964. There, very quickly, we realize that neither should be claustrophobic (people with reduced mobility, blind, claustrophobic benefit from a visual and auditory device), nor pivot of a basketball team (measuring more than 1.95 m) ...

The impression of being with the 65 submariners

According to the anecdotes of Jean le bidou, we wander by sneaking from one room to another. Listening, we hear snoring here, a sound of sonar there. To get a glimpse of the pack ice - to join it is the mission of our trip, we remind you - we climb the ladder in a very narrow duct. In each room, infrared rays trigger new soundtracks.

We have more and more the impression of being part of the crew and sharing the daily life of the 65 submariners.

On a large table in the crew quarters, a deck of Monopoly spread out and a deck of cards distributed.

On another, a perfectly placed cutlery.

To the right, the Commandant's room, nicknamed "the Pasha" then the officers' quarters with a small and very narrow bed (hidden by a curtain) which would almost make us prefer the SNCF sleeper car ... "The Polar Circle is approaching… ”, it smacks of the end of the adventure.

Here we are in the torpedo room, at the very front of the submarine.

A siren sounds, a red light flickers.

We jump.

The last thrill of a colorful and sound journey to the heart of the

Swordfish

.

Society

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Reopening to the public this Saturday

The audio guided tour lasts about 40 minutes.

Prices: 11 euros for adults, 5.50 euros for 4-17 year olds and 9 euros for reduced prices.

Possibility of taking packages.

For all audiences.

Website: https://www.saint-nazaire-tourisme.com/les-visites/les-sites-de-visite/espadon/

  • Culture

  • Society

  • Submarine

  • Saint Nazaire

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