The Call of the Deep: embark on an exploration with the National Maritime Museum's exhibition

Beliefs, fantastical tales, or scientific inquiries—the abyss has spoken of itself for centuries. From October 14, 2026 to April 4, 2027, the National Maritime Museum invites us on a brief journey into the heart of these depths that fascinate humanity...

This realm holds a premier place in our collective imagination: it has been linked to countless mythological creatures, powers, dangers, and even entire civilizations. Yet in reality we know more about the surface of the Moon than about the depths of the sea. The National Maritime Museum invites you on a small journey to the ocean floor with the exhibition The Call of the Depths, on view from October 14, 2026 to April 4, 2027.

This exhibition brings together around 280 scientific and historical objects, paintings, sculptures, photographs, contemporary installations, ship models and decorative arts. A journey that is both chronological and thematic reveals the secrets of this still very mysterious world.

The sea and the underwater world have long fascinated humanity. They are a source of nourriture, of trésors (shells, pearls...), they invite us to travel and to discover new realms... In many croyances, the marine realm is also linked to the origins of life and to the gods. Yet this vast universe remains largely out of reach.

Indeed, the human body isn’t built to roam the ocean’s depths. That hasn’t stopped the attempts: dating back to antiquity, legends speak of divers who could travel beneath the surface. Still, the physical limits are soon reached. Water pressure, cold, and scarcity of oxygen and light... this environment is brutally hostile to people. Yet humanity clings to a dream and presses on.

The exhibition itinerary traces the journey through the exploration of the underwater world, from early diving machines to the most advanced modern submarines, passing by divers in heavy diving suits and wartime submersibles. These technological advances are driven not only by industry, which is continually uncovering new resources to exploit, but also by scientists pushing into new areas of specialization.

As the exhibition unfolds, the Navy Museum reveals how this underwater world has inspired a multitude of artists across the centuries. Literature, painting, sculpture, cinema, photography, music: every artist and every medium embraces this universe. Legends are born, shared, reshaped, amplified, and they feed a growing, ever more captivating imagination.

Several themed displays recount these legends. Sirens, sunken worlds beneath the sea, octopuses or sea gods—these motifs recur across cultures worldwide.

The Naval Museum also looks to the future, posing several open questions. Environmental changes are reshaping these marine ecosystems, about which we still know so little. What will the ocean depths look like in the coming years? Will we devise new ways to explore these unknown realms? What lies at the very bottom of the seas?

The exhibition The Call of the Deep takes visitors on a gripping journey. The topics explored could each have deserved their own show, so the coverage doesn’t go into every theme in exhaustive depth. Still, you’ll encounter several striking works and surprising stories—provided you take the time to read all the room texts.

Feel free to embark on an adventure with this exhibition, sure to captivate both adults and kids alike. No swimming skills needed—just let the currents of the story carry you along!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.