Discover the history of seaplanes with the Musée de l'Hydraviation

History of the museum

History of the Musee de l’Hydraviation in Biscarrosse

The history of seaplanes in Biscarrosse began in 1930, when the engineer Pierre-Georges Latécoère decided to build an aeronautical base on the city’s lake, where seaplanes would be assembled and flight-tested. With its ideal location close to the Atlantic Ocean and nearby lakes, the Latécoère facility offered multiple options for seaplanes to make water landings.

 

More and more regular flights started to be offered. Famous aviators, from Saint-Exupéry to Mermoz by way of Bonnot and Guillaumet, took off from this base in the Landes and built up the legend of the seaplane, all while leaving a lasting mark on the city and the region.

 

Portrait of Pierre-Georges LATECOERE

A museum to bring our historical heritage to life

 

For the 50th anniversary of the Latécoère base, Marie-Paule Vié-Klaze and many of its former employees put on a commemorative exhibition. Many objects and documents were assembled to pay tribute to those who worked in the burgeoning seaplane industry and to bring a slice 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 endorse the creation of 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).

 

F-BANT Musée de l'Hydraviation

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by volunteers – has been staging the various items that it has amassed, including collector’s items, photos and historical documents, to retrace the history of seaplanes, from the first flight in 1910 to contemporary models.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, lets you relive the golden age of seaplanes and transatlantic journeys, thanks to the commitment of our volunteers and the support of patrons who want to preserve the city’s heritage.

 

A photographic history of seaplanes

 

 

Pierre-Geroges Latéocère

Pierre-Geroges Latéocère

Collection Musée de l'Hydraviation - Origine Latécoère

Usine Latécoère

Usine Latécoère

Collection Musée de l'Hydraviation - Origine Cornell

Paulin Paris & cie devant le Laté 28

Paulin Paris & cie devant le Laté 28

Collection Musée de l'Hydraviation - Origine Paris

H.Guillaumet et P.Deley

H.Guillaumet et P.Deley

Collection Musée de l'Hydraviation - Origine Latécoère

Jean Mermoz

Jean Mermoz

Collection Musée de l'Hydraviation - Origine Latécoère

 Laté 300

Laté 300

Collection Musée de l'Hydraviation - Origine Cornell

Laté 521

Laté 521

Collection Musée de l'Hydraviation - Droits réservés

Les ouvriers de l'usine Latécoère

Les ouvriers de l'usine Latécoère

Collection Musée de l'Hydraviation - Origine Moine

Laté 631 - Biscarrosse

Laté 631 - Biscarrosse

Collection Musée de l'Hydraviation - Droits réservés

Hydrobase des Hourtiquets

Hydrobase des Hourtiquets

Collection Musée de l'Hydraviation - Droits réservés

Laté 631 des Hourtiquets

Laté 631 des Hourtiquets

Collection Musée de l'Hydraviation - Origine Delhorbe

Musée de l’Hydraviation
Musée de l’Hydraviation

Contact us

Seaplane Museum
332, rue Louis Breguet
40600 Biscarrosse
05 58 78 00 65
Opening HoursJanuary : closed all month
September - June : Tuesday to Sunday
from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | closed Mondays
July - August: 7 days a week
from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Public holidays: contact us
Contact us

Informations

Partnerships

  • Ville de Biscarrosse
  • Association des Amis du Musée
  • Département des Landes
  • Bisca Grands Lacs
  • Qualité Tourisme
  • Nouvelle Aquitaine
  • MGEN
  • Un comité pour moi
  • Ministère de la Culture
  • Musée de France
  • CEZAM
All our partners