A unique immersion aboard the Saint-Nazaire submarine

Saint-Nazaire is home to a rare jewel of French maritime history: the first submarine to have dived beneath the polar ice cap, and the only floating submarine open to the public in France. Thanks to the Soundguide automatic audio headset, visiting it becomes a sensory dive into the daily life of the sailors of yesteryear.

A historic treasure of the French Navy

This former French Navy vessel offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the interior of a submarine and discover the daily life of the sailors who lived and worked in this confined, emotionally charged space.

The visit, lasting around 45 minutes, is by reservation, with the audio guide included in the admission price. The route is organised in a single direction of travel, with capacity limited to 60 people per visit: an arrangement that preserves an intimate atmosphere, respects the submarine's narrow spaces and avoids any crush.

The Soundguide: an automatic audio headset for total immersion

To make the exploration even more captivating, the town of Saint-Nazaire chose the Soundguide, an automatic audio headset designed for complete sound immersion. Beyond traditional commentaries, it envelops visitors in an authentic soundscape that recreates the atmosphere of the submarine in operation: the noise of the machinery, the sailors' conversations, the lapping of water against the hull.

The Soundguide is particularly well suited to the constraints of a submarine visit. Worn hands-free, it lets visitors move easily through the cramped spaces, where you sometimes need to hold on to pass from one compartment to the next. The built-in infrared technology ensures automatic, precise triggering of the commentaries as soon as the visitor approaches a point of interest, without any handling of the device.

The headset is available in nine languages — French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian and Polish — and the routes offer different content for adults and children.

A technical installation met with ingenuity

Installing the audio guide system in the submarine was a considerable technical challenge: the complex structure and confined spaces demanded perfect sound coverage and precise triggering at every point along the route.

The infrared emitters, which synchronise the commentaries with visitors' progress, had to be positioned at strategic locations after meticulous planning. The technicians even used a rowing boat to place the emitters in the right spots all around the submarine, guaranteeing high-quality sound immersion wherever the visitor is on board. The automatic triggering also regulates the flow of visitors in a natural way, with each person receiving the information at the precise moment they need it.

An unforgettable exploration

Whether you are passionate about maritime history, a fan of new technologies or simply curious to discover a treasure of the French Navy, a visit to the Saint-Nazaire submarine promises an adventure rich in discoveries and emotions. Book your visit and get ready to embark on a unique journey through time and across the oceans.