Exhibition "Fishing Beyond the Stereotype – Unseen Pieces from the Collection" Maritime Museum starting 05/14/2025

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Explore the maritime world through 70 never-before-seen photographs revealing the lives of fishermen from the 19th to the 21st century. The exhibition showcases diverse perspectives, from rare archives to forgotten masterpieces, offering an authentic dive into the visual memory of seafarers.

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€15

Exhibition Ticket

Entry Ticket

70 previously unseen photographs from the museum’s archives, revealed for the first time
An authentic look at the lives of fishermen from the 19th to the 21st century
Rare and moving works, blending art, memory, and social testimony
A visual dive into the maritime world, between poetry and harsh reality
Major photographers such as Anita Conti, Lucien Chauffard, and Serge Lucas
An immersive experience at the Palais de Chaillot, facing the Eiffel Tower
Accessible to all, with reduced rates, free admission for under-18s, and late openings every Thursday
A unique temporary exhibition, on view from May 14 to August 17, 2025 only

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What to expect

From May 14 to August 17, 2025, the National Maritime Museum in Paris invites you on a unique visual journey with the exhibition “Fishing Beyond the Cliché: Unseen Works from the Collection”. Designed as a sensitive and well-documented exploration, this exhibition unveils little-known photographic treasures—silent witnesses to a harsh, deeply human world rooted in our history: that of fishermen and maritime life, from the mid-19th century to the early 21st century.

Conceived as a stroll through time and perspectives, the exhibition brings together nearly 70 rare photographic works from the museum’s extensive collections. For the very first time, original prints, negatives, old photo albums, printed brochures, and slides are showcased together to reveal the diverse representations of the sea and those who dedicate their lives to it. These exceptional pieces, long hidden from view, are finally displayed under the spotlight in a prestigious setting: the Palais de Chaillot, in the heart of Paris.

Photographing the Sea: Between Reality and Imagination

“Fishing Beyond the Cliché” is part of an ambitious artistic and historical approach. It questions how fishing has been documented, imagined, and at times idealized by photographers through the ages. Far from static or folkloric depictions, the exhibition highlights a plurality of viewpoints, where each photographer—renowned or lesser known—has tried to capture the soul of the sea and its people.

Artists such as Anita Conti, France’s first female oceanographer, or Lucien Chauffard and Serge Lucas, managed to capture the tension between wild beauty, daily labor, and maritime solitude. Others, less known in traditional circuits, offered equally powerful visions, presenting us with a sensitive and authentic panorama of the maritime world. The subjects chosen, the photographer’s position during the action, the evolution of shooting techniques—all these aspects challenge our gaze and our relationship with imagery.

Visitors are thus invited to rethink the photographic act—not merely as a recording of reality, but as a visual testimony filled with intention, emotion, and context. The exhibition also addresses issues related to photography in colonial contexts, and the idea of cultural heritage documentation at a time when these professions are rapidly evolving.

An Iconic Venue for an Immersive Experience

Facing the Eiffel Tower, the Palais de Chaillot hosts the exhibition in a majestic and welcoming setting. Recently renovated, the National Maritime Museum offers a space that is both modern and warm, ideally suited to showcasing these memory-laden works. The exhibition path is designed to allow for a smooth, sensory, and educational immersion, whether you’re an art enthusiast, a history lover, or a curious visitor eager for discovery.

The museum is open daily except Tuesdays, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with late-night openings until 10 p.m. every Thursday, letting you enjoy the exhibition at the end of the day. Last admission is one hour before closing, allowing you to take your time and fully enjoy the visit. To extend the experience, the museum’s restaurant is open continuously, offering a calm and elegant setting.

Why Book Now?

This is a temporary and unique event: most of the works presented have never been shown before and will only be on display during this limited period. By booking now, you ensure privileged access to an exhibition that is both rare and deeply moving, already drawing interest from the general public, photography lovers, and maritime heritage enthusiasts.

As high attendance is expected, early online booking is strongly recommended to secure your preferred time slot, especially for late-night openings and weekends.

Admission & Practical Information

🎟️ Full price: €12
🎟️ Reduced price: €9 (students, seniors, job seekers, large families, etc.)
👧 Free for visitors under 18
📅 Exhibition period: May 14 to August 17, 2025
📍 Location: National Maritime Museum, Palais de Chaillot, 17 Place du Trocadéro, 75016 Paris
🕚 Opening hours:
– Daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays)
– Late-night opening on Thursdays until 10 p.m.
🚪 Last admission: 1 hour before closing
♿ Accessibility: exhibition adapted for visitors with disabilities (mobility, hearing, visual, mental, psychological)
🍽️ Restaurant: open continuously during museum hours

A Journey Through History and Emotion

Beyond clichés—literally and figuratively—this exhibition is an invitation to contemplation, reflection, and rediscovery of a changing world. Blending visual poetry, valuable documentation, and raw emotion, “Fishing Beyond the Cliché” pays tribute to the often-invisible men and women of the sea, through the eyes of those who captured them with empathy and insight.

Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to discover a standout exhibition in one of Paris’s most iconic museums. Book your ticket now and let yourself be carried away by the images and stories of those who live by the rhythm of the waves.

Schedule

- On Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 11:00 am, 11:30 am, 12:00 pm, 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:00 pm

- On Thursday: 11:00 am, 11:30 am, 12:00 pm, 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:00 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:00 pm

Dive into the world of fishermen as a group – A cultural outing like no other!

Organizing an event for a group of more than 10 people?

Offer your group a rare experience around the sea and photography. Guided tour, discovery of unseen archives, and a sensory immersion await! Fill out our form now to organize your visit to the National Maritime Museum.

Feel free to contact us at +33 1 48 74 05 10 for any requests.

Common questions

What is this exhibition about?

The exhibition offers a unique perspective on fishing and maritime communities through nearly 70 rarely seen photographic works, spanning from the 19th to the 21st century.

What makes this exhibition unique?

It showcases, for the first time, prints, slides, and rarely shared archival materials from the rich collections of the French National Maritime Museum.

Where is the exhibition taking place?

At the Palais de Chaillot, 17 Place du Trocadéro, Paris 16th arrondissement.

Is this exhibition accessible to everyone?

Yes, it is adapted for people with disabilities (hearing, motor, mental, psychological, and visual).

Who are the photographers featured?

Well-known names such as Anita Conti, Lucien Chauffard, and Emmanuel Ortiz, alongside lesser-known artists.

What is the central theme of the exhibition?

It explores the photographic perspectives on the sea, fishermen, and fishing techniques, focusing on their historical and aesthetic evolution.

Is the exhibition suitable for children?

Yes, the artworks are accessible to a broad audience and are likely to spark curiosity in younger visitors about the maritime world.

Is there a restaurant on site?

Yes, the museum’s restaurant is open continuously during museum hours.

Is this exhibition connected to another?

Yes, it runs in parallel with the exhibition “Jean Gaumy and the Sea”, creating a dialogue between two complementary visions of the maritime world.