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Museum

Duchess Anne

Dunkerque, Opal Coast

About this place

If you’re passing through Dunkirk… come aboard the Duchesse Anne.

This three-masted square-rigged ship will take you on a journey through its history, allowing you to discover its ingenious structure, featuring 25 sails surrounding the mainmast, which rises 48 meters above the deck.

Built to train officers and crew for the German merchant marine, this training ship sailed the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, and also made its way to the Caribbean and South America.

Formerly known as the Grossherzogin Elisabeth (in honor of the Duchess of Oldenburg), the Duchesse Anne was launched on March 7, 1901, from Esfleth, its home port, with approximately 150 cadets and apprentice sailors on board, supervised by a highly skilled crew.

Already damaged by a fire and then by a major collision in 1931, the three-masted ship was unable to withstand the ravages of World War II.

Now under French ownership, the ship served various purposes, including as a naval barracks, a dormitory, and a pontoon. Abandoned in Brest for many years, the ship—which had become a wreck—was restored by residents of Dunkirk who purchased it.

Thanks to the support of the association “Les Amis de la Duchesse Anne,” the former German flagship was designated a historic monument on November 5, 1982.

Today, as France’s only and last three-masted square-rigged ship, the Duchesse Anne welcomes you to discover its authentic character as a training ship. You’ll have the opportunity to experience life as a cadet and immerse yourself in their maritime world while admiring the magnificent sails and masts.

What to do nearby?

Upcoming events in Dunkerque.

Culture 1 August → 30 September

Traditional Shipbuilding on the Opal Coast

Dunkerque

Traditional shipbuilding from the Opal Coast awaits you in Dunkirk on August 1, 2026. This exhibition immerses you in the world of traditional boatbuilding along our coastline, particularly the flobart and the dundee. You’ll discover the different stages of building a boat, from design to launch. The exhibition offers you the opportunity to explore the skills and techniques used by boatbuilders on the Opal Coast. This will give you a deeper understanding of our region’s history and culture. This cultural event is a unique experience not to be missed by enthusiasts of maritime history and local heritage.
Culture 1 August → 30 September

Shipyards: A Photographic Archive of Dunkirk's Industrial History

Dunkerque

Shipyards are an important part of the past and present of the Port of Dunkirk. The exhibition “Shipyards: Photographic Archives of Dunkirk’s Industrial History” brings together photographs from the museum’s collections and highlights several major shipyards: Ziegler, Ateliers et Chantiers de France, and Béliard & Crighton. The exhibition continues with contemporary photographs taken during the restoration of the three-masted ship Duchesse Anne at the Damen shipyard.
category.Découverte 6 August

Walking Tour of the Port

Dunkerque

Walking Tour of the Port On August 6, 2026, explore the port of Dunkirk on foot with this 2.5-hour guided tour. The 6.3-kilometer route takes you through the East Port, offering impressive views of port activity. You’ll pass close by the Trystram and Watier locks, walk alongside the Risban Lighthouse, and pass in front of the Damen floating dock. This walking tour will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the Port of Dunkirk. Admission fee applies; reservations required.

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