The Exhibition - Diving into the Unknown - Underwater Adventures in the Mediterranean

As the final installment of the “Call of the Deep” series, the exhibition “Dive(s) into the Unknown” highlights the pivotal role of the Mediterranean coastline in the history of exploring the ocean depths.

From Saint-Raphaël to Marseille, via Hyères and Toulon, this region has been the birthplace of major innovations: Commander Cousteau’s early explorations, the invention of the self-contained diving apparatus, bathyscaphe expeditions, and the rise of recreational diving.

Today, this legacy has given rise to a region rich in scientific research and advancements, home to key players in both the civilian and military sectors, such as the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer), the Center for Human Diving and Underwater Operations (CEPHISMER), and the Department of Underwater and Submarine Archaeological Research (DRASSM).

Through a series of innovations and challenges, the exhibition traces the epic history of diving, from the 19th-century heavy-footed diving suits to remotely operated robots, while exploring the protection of maritime heritage, the exploitation of the seabed, defense issues, biodiversity, and scientific research.

Works of art, photographs, archaeological artifacts, pieces of equipment, models, archival materials, and even films… Nearly 150 items bear witness to the historical presence and enduring nature of underwater activities in the Mediterranean.

This exhibition is part of the “400 Years of the Navy” initiative.