Museum Hydraviation — Attraction in Mont-de-Marsan

Honestly even better than I expected. I learned so much and there's so much fascinating history. A lot of it is models of planes but really good ones, some of which blew my mind to learn that such insane contraptions actually flew. Also if you're a Porco Rosso fan you'll like some of the models near the entrance. Towards the end of the visit of course you get to see some real historical planes too and it was a very moving experience for me. The gift shop is very nice too. Well worth the slight detour! A very moving experience if you're a plane nerd.

Also, if you're a pilot bring your license for a small discount on the ticket price. I forgot mine but I showed them my flight club membership online which...

The museum delivers an immersive and well-curated experience. It succeeds in blending technical depth with engaging storytelling—bringing alive the pioneering spirit of Seaplane legends like Saint‑Exupéry & Mermoz. The Albatross alone is worth the trip, as it’s not only photogenic but also educational, especially for water-rescue and firefighting aviation history. Visitor reviews praise the thoughtful layout, good English translations, and friendly staff . It pairs beautifully with a coastal tour: from Normandy’s beaches to Landes’...

Fascinating history of (predominantly) French flying boats and seaplanes, but always with reference to international developments. Very interesting and educational especially for those of us brought up only on UK/US planes. Plenty of relics, photos, documents etc. Well laid out with English translations to many exhibits plus multilingual explanatory sheets...