History of the Musée de l'Hydraviation in Biscarrosse

History of the Musee de l’Hydraviation in Biscarrosse

The history of seaplanes in Biscarrosse began in 1930, when engineer Pierre-Georges Latécoère decided to build an aeronautical base on the town's lake, where seaplanes would be assembled and tested for flight. With its ideal location close to the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding lakes, the Latécoère base was ideal for seaplanes to land on water.

The number of flights increased. Famous aviators, from Saint-Exupéry to Mermoz, alongside Bonnot and Guillaumet, took off from this base in the Landes and built up the legend of seaplanes, all while leaving a lasting mark on the twon and the region.

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A museum dedicated to bringing our historical heritage to life

For the 50^th anniversary of the Latécoère base, Marie-Paule Vié-Klaze and many of its former employees assembled a commemorative exhibition. Many objects and documents were collected to pay tribute to those who worked in the seaplane industry and to bring a piece of history to life for the public…

In response to widespread enthusiasm and out of a desire to acknowledge the importance of this heritage and of the people who helped to forge it, Roger Ducom, Mayor of Biscarrosse, decided to create a museum.

Built on the site of the old Latécoère base, by Lake Biscarrosse and Parentis, the Musée de l’Hydraviation was inaugurated in 1982, at the same time as Les Amis du Musée de l’Hydraviation (Friends of the Museum).

Seaplanes, from 1910 to the present day

Since it first opened, the museum’s team – assisted by volunteers – has been staging the various items that it has amassed, including collector’s items, photos and historical documents, to retrace the history of seaplanes, from the first flight in 1910 to contemporary models.

Seaplanes carried mail and then passengers, and provided military transportation during wartime as well as luxury transportation, before becoming a firefighting tool. Our municipal museum, which has earned the “Musée de France” (Museum of France) label, allows you to dive into the golden age of seaplanes and transatlantic journeys, thanks to the commitment of our volunteers and the support of patrons who wish to preserve the city’s heritage.

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