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This exhibition reveals three centuries of maritime customs and secret missions

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The Editor

© Douane Vedette DF61

From April 2nd to November 22nd, 2026, the National Customs Museum will host an exhibition highlighting the often-overlooked missions of customs officers at sea. Through historical objects, archives, and immersive sound experiences, the journey showcases three centuries of maritime surveillance. It’s a captivating dive into the behind-the-scenes of those who keep watch over the seas.

If you're wondering how customs used to watch over our shores, the exhibition Customs at the Frontiers of the Open Sea is just for you. From the moment you enter, the journey takes visitors along the coastline and on board the first patrols. You'll discover the beginnings of the customs' maritime presence, from the arming of the "pataches" in 1719 to the creation of the customs administration in 1791.

As you move along the route, foot patrols, flotillas, motorboats, and aircraft retrace the evolution of a surveillance system that became structured and modern. Uniforms, objects, and postcards illustrate the everyday life of the agents and the challenges they faced over the centuries.


High-Stakes Missions

The exhibition also shines a light on the contemporary missions of the National Coast Guard Directorate. Control of ships and cargoes, combating drug, tobacco, or arms trafficking, rescue at sea, and environmental protection... These are all often invisible yet essential actions, even crucial.


© Vincent Lajus / Rupilly & Franco Mordehai on board the DF 32 Seudre

Visitors discover how these professions combine rigor, technical skill, and humanity, contributing to maritime safety and the preservation of our territories and heritage.


© Customs / Customs Divers 1995


A Unique Sensory Experience

And what could be better than an original sound creation to make the everyday lives of customs officers super tangible? With marine sounds, voices of the agents, and port atmospheres captured aboard the DF32 Seudre speedboat, the soundtrack blends throughout the exhibit with electronic music for a total immersion.


© MND / Customs airplane Dornier 1969

Linked to objects and archives, this sensory storytelling takes visitors close to the missions and activities at sea. Created in partnership with the local maritime community, the exhibition offers a unique perspective on a discreet yet strategic institution that has been watching the horizon for three centuries. This will completely change how you see these sentinels of the sea. To be among the first to discover this new exhibition, join us on Thursday, April 2, 2026 from 6 PM to 9:30 PM or on Saturday, April 4, 2026 for a discovery day, featuring creative workshops and guided flash tours to explore the exhibition in a fun and immersive way!

The customs at the frontiers of the sea
National Customs Museum
1, Place de la Bourse — 33000, Bordeaux
From April 2nd to November 22nd, 2026
Launch on April 2nd from 6 PM to 9:30 PM, free entry, subject to available space
Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM
More info