Musée Balaguier
Built in 1634, and reinforced by Vauban, this gun tower was used to protect the Toulon harbour when it crossed swords with the Royale Tower
In July 2022, the museum changes and turns to the underwater world.
In July 2022, the museum changes and turns to the underwater world.
Since 1970, the fort has been a naval museum focusing mainly on local maritime history, the Toulon penal colony and the life of convicts. It has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1973.
At the beginning of July 2022, we can discover the renewal of Fort Balaguier with several immersive devices and an exhibition on scuba diving.
A dedicated conviviality area and a shop will also allow visitors to make the most of this jewel.
The town is hosting the Neptune project, led by the South PACA Region, with Balaguier Fort identified as a pilot site alongside those in Marseille (Cosquer Cave Interpretation Centre), Nice (Vivier Véran), Hyères (Pradeau Fort) and La Londe les Maures.
In the pilot site of the Balaguier fort, the Neptune project is materialised by the provision by the South PACA Region of a certain number of digital tools and by partnerships with the French Navy, IFREMER and the Louvre.
Thus, an immersive device has been installed in the former Balaguier chapel.
Thanks to virtual reality helmets, the public is plunged into the heart of the underwater world, with a visit to the wreck of the Arroyo in 3D reconstruction.
An interactive terminal offers didactic routes and everyone can navigate according to their choice and/or be helped by the animators present on the site.
Discover also the Robin robot designed for the exploration of the famous Titanic.
In the lower room of the tower, a film written and directed by Gil Kebaïli, "I am the Mediterranean", evokes both the beauty of the Big Blue and the need to safeguard it at all costs.
Finally, an exhibition dedicated to the sinking of the frigate Magenta (below) which occurred in the heart of the harbour on the night of 31 October 1875 occupies the upper room of the tower.
At the beginning of July 2022, we can discover the renewal of Fort Balaguier with several immersive devices and an exhibition on scuba diving.
A dedicated conviviality area and a shop will also allow visitors to make the most of this jewel.
The town is hosting the Neptune project, led by the South PACA Region, with Balaguier Fort identified as a pilot site alongside those in Marseille (Cosquer Cave Interpretation Centre), Nice (Vivier Véran), Hyères (Pradeau Fort) and La Londe les Maures.
In the pilot site of the Balaguier fort, the Neptune project is materialised by the provision by the South PACA Region of a certain number of digital tools and by partnerships with the French Navy, IFREMER and the Louvre.
Thus, an immersive device has been installed in the former Balaguier chapel.
Thanks to virtual reality helmets, the public is plunged into the heart of the underwater world, with a visit to the wreck of the Arroyo in 3D reconstruction.
An interactive terminal offers didactic routes and everyone can navigate according to their choice and/or be helped by the animators present on the site.
Discover also the Robin robot designed for the exploration of the famous Titanic.
In the lower room of the tower, a film written and directed by Gil Kebaïli, "I am the Mediterranean", evokes both the beauty of the Big Blue and the need to safeguard it at all costs.
Finally, an exhibition dedicated to the sinking of the frigate Magenta (below) which occurred in the heart of the harbour on the night of 31 October 1875 occupies the upper room of the tower.
Built in 1634, and reinforced by Vauban, this gun tower was used to protect the Toulon harbour when it crossed swords with the Royale Tower. Since 1970 the fort has mainly been a naval museum focusing on the local maritime history, the Toulon prison and convict life. Listed with the Inventory of Historic Monuments since 1973.
Possibility of guided visits for groups.
Public transport access by busline 83 - Bus stop 'Balaguier'
Possibility of guided visits for groups.
Public transport access by busline 83 - Bus stop 'Balaguier'
Période(s) d'ouvertureFrom 03/01 to 31/12.
Closed on Monday.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st, Easter Monday, Feast of the Ascension, Whit Monday, May 1st, May 8th, July 14th, August 15th, November 1st, November 11th and December 25th.
Museum open every day except Mondays, Tuesday mornings and public holidays.
Opening hours :
- from September to June from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm
- in July and August from 10am to 12pm and from 3pm to 7pm.
Closed on Monday.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st, Easter Monday, Feast of the Ascension, Whit Monday, May 1st, May 8th, July 14th, August 15th, November 1st, November 11th and December 25th.
Museum open every day except Mondays, Tuesday mornings and public holidays.
Opening hours :
- from September to June from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm
- in July and August from 10am to 12pm and from 3pm to 7pm.
Horaires d'ouvertureOpen Tuesday from 3pm to 7 pm and from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to midday / 3 pm to 7 pm (September to June from 2 pm to 6 pm). Closed on Monday, Tuesday morning and public holydays.
General
- Type of culturel patrimony :
- Museum
- themes :
- History
- Military
- themes
- Visit :
- Guided tours
- Entertainment :
- Temporary exhibition
- Entertainment
Equipment & Services
- Parking :
- Car park
- Coach parking
- Leisure facilities :
- Picnic area
- Interior facilities :
- Toilets
- Rooms equipped for :
- Concert/events
- Exhibition/trade fair
Accessibility
- Accessibility Criteria for Mental Impairment :
- Mental disability
Chains, Labels, Charts
- categories :
- Municipal museum

Directions to :
924 corniche Bonaparte
83500
La Seyne-sur-Mer
GPS coordinates
Latitude : 43.094256
Longitude : 5.910438
- Environnements :
- Close to a public transportation
Full price: €3
under 18 years old, unemployed... : 2,00 €
Free for children under 5 years old, disabled people.
under 18 years old, unemployed... : 2,00 €
Free for children under 5 years old, disabled people.
Contact
924 corniche Bonaparte
83500
La Seyne-sur-Mer
Mob : +33 6 19 36 83 24
- Spoken language(s) :
- Spanish