Charles de Gaulle

This model, kept at the Musée National de la Marine, is a faithful representation of the Charles de Gaulle. The successor to the Clemenceau and Foch aircraft carriers dating from the 1950s, it is currently the only aircraft carrier in service with the French Navy. It carries a crew of nearly 2,000 and around forty aircraft (Rafale Marine) and helicopters (Caïman Marine and Dauphin). Since its launch in 1994, it has been a powerful military, strategic and diplomatic tool.

The aircraft carrier is an air base at sea, enabling the embarked air group to take off and land, as well as firing at targets at sea and on land. It can travel up to 1,000 km a day, but it never sails alone. It is usually accompanied by a nuclear attack submarine, a multi-mission frigate, an air defence frigate and a command and supply ship. Depending on mission requirements, this composition may change. This ensemble forms the Naval Air Group (NAG).

The NAG controls the airspace, monitors the maritime zone and provides logistical support to the forces involved. The aim of this broad deployment is to deter, protect, intervene and provide information. The French Navy operates on three levels: under the sea, on the surface and in the air.