Machines of the Seas: The (Extraordinary) Inventions of Henri Dupuy de Lôme

Presented at the Citadelle de Port-Louis from 22 May to 15 November 2026, the exhibition Machines of the Seas. The (Extraordinary) Inventions of Henri Dupuy de Lôme opens the “Call of the Deep” cycle, a series of exhibitions presented for the first time across the musée national de la Marine network.

Echoing the 400th anniversary of the French Navy, this exhibition offers an immersive journey into the major innovations that transformed the French Navy in the 19th century and helped establish France’s naval power.

Born near Lorient in 1816, Henri Dupuy de Lôme was a leading figure in maritime engineering. A graduate of the École Polytechnique, engineer and later politician, he was behind some of the most remarkable ships of his time.

He notably designed:

• the Gymnote, the first operational French electrically powered submarine
• the first French ironclad warship
• innovations related to steam propulsion and shipbuilding 

His research, notably informed by travels to England, contributed to the lasting transformation of the French naval fleet.

The 19th century was a period of profound transformation driven by the Industrial Revolution: the development of steam power, electricity and the telegraph.

Naval warfare also evolved:

• gradual replacement of sails by steam power
• introduction of the propeller  
• development of more powerful artillery
• emergence of ironclad warships, designed to withstand attacks 

This major transformation was partly driven by Henri Dupuy de Lôme, whose innovations accompanied the navy’s transition into the industrial era.

Installed in The Grande Poudrière of the citadel, the exhibition brings together around forty original works and facsimiles, mainly from the collections of the musée national de la Marine, as well as from private collections.

This exhibition pays tribute to a “gifted” yet still little-known engineer, whose 210th anniversary of birth is celebrated in 2026.

The exhibition is part of a broader reflection on underwater exploration.

Within the permanent galleries, the section “Ocean Treasures” invites visitors to discover shipwrecks and cargoes from maritime trade routes in the Far East. These objects — porcelain, artillery pieces and everyday items — highlight the essential role of underwater archaeology in our understanding of history.