Musée de l'Hydraviation, museum of seaplanes

Musée de l’Hydraviation in Biscarrosse

Why creating a museum in Biscarrosse?

“I've done and redone all of the calculations, and they confirmed what the specialists were saying: our idea is unachievable. So, there's only one thing left for us to do: achieve it!” – Pierre-Georges Latécoère

A bold engineer, Pierre-Georges Latécoère marked the history of aeronautics and Biscarrosse when, in 1930, he transformed this lakeshore into a majestic seaplane base that was envied by the whole of France.

Located where the former Latécoère base once stood, where more than 120 seaplanes were assembled over the years, the Muée de l'Hydraviation preserves this unique-in-Europe heritage and bears witness to the city’s aeronautical adventure.

It is also a reminder that, although seaplanes no longer fly their traditional air routes, they still carry out a wide variety of missions, like firefighting, coastal surveillance, search and rescue at sea, exploration of inaccessible areas, personal transportation, etc.

Visit the museum

From the Latécoère base to the creation of the Seaplane Museum

Built at the impulse of Marie-Paule Vié-Klaze and some former employees of the aeronautical base in Biscarrosse, the Musée de l'Hydraviation was initially intended to be a as a temporary exhibition only, to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the Latécoère base.

But that was before they realized the widespread interest people had in the old base and its importance in the history of aeronautics…

discover the museum's history

An indoor and outdoor museum

Honored by the label of “Musée de France” (Museum of France), the Musée de l’Hydraviation gives its visitors the chance to follow the path of these adventurers of the sky through indoor and outdoor exhibitions. You will appreciate the museum’s vast collections, its many mechanical objects and parts, and its genuine, fully renovated seaplanes.

Grumman Albatross Collection

Now managed by Biscarrosse’s City Council, the Musée de l’Hydraviation has adopted the Qualité Tourisme standard for high-quality tourism. It continues to expand its collections, thanks to the commitment of Les Amis du Musée (Friends of the Museum) and the generosity of various patrons.

If you come to the Landes region on holidays and you are unfamiliar with this aspect of Biscarrosse's history, or if you are interested in aviation, seaplanes and the extraordinary voyages of the early 20th century, why not extend your journey and attend the next International Seaplane Meeting in Biscarrosse ?

Come and share a piece of history with us and take off for a unique adventure!

USEFUL INFORMATION