Musée de l'ALAT et de l'hélicoptère

Imagine a place where all the power and grace of rotorcraft are gathered under one roof. The ALAT and Helicopter Aviation Museum is a unique treasure trove of technical ingenuity located in the charming city of Dax, in southwestern France. The museum is entirely dedicated to the history of French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) and is one of the best in Europe in terms of the completeness of its helicopter collection.

ALAT and Helicopter Museum. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The exhibition is spread across massive hangars covering approximately 6,000 m², where visitors can find more than 30 perfectly preserved aircraft, with the total number of items in the collection reaching 70. Here, you can trace the incredible path of aviation development: from fragile early 20th-century planes like the Stampe SV4C to legendary Alouette helicopters, powerful Pumas, and modern prototypes. Of particular interest are rare foreign guests, such as the Soviet giant Mi-8.

This is not just a technical exhibition, but an interactive space located on the grounds of an active airbase where future pilots are trained. Visitors can see unique prototypes that never went into mass production, as well as machines that served in the gendarmerie and customs. The museum is fully accessible for people with disabilities and is open to the public free of charge for most of the year.

To clarify visiting details or book group tours, you can use the official communication channels. Please note that museum staff are often volunteers from among aviation veterans.

At this museum, you can literally touch the history of aviation. The main part of the visit involves a self-guided tour of the vast hangars, where the machinery is arranged in chronological order. You will see the evolution of helicopters from the earliest dragonfly-like models of the 1940s to modern combat machines. Don't miss the experimental Gazelle SA 349-2 and the impressive Mil MI-8, which is rarely seen in Western European museums.

For those who want to dive deeper into the details, guided tours are held on Tuesdays and Fridays (usually at 2:00 PM or 2:30 PM). The guides are former pilots and mechanics who generously share technical details and fascinating anecdotes from their careers. The interactive experience is complemented by two flight simulators, allowing you to feel what it's like behind the controls of a helicopter.

The museum is excellent for families: it is spacious, pets are allowed, and there are demonstration stands for children. After exploring the main collection, stop by the gift shop to pick up souvenirs with ALAT insignia. Keep in mind that there is no climate control system in the hangars: it can be hot in the summer and quite chilly in the winter, so choose your clothing according to the season.

Getting to the museum is quite simple, as it is located on the outskirts of the city next to an active airfield. If you are traveling by car from Bayonne or Mont-de-Marsan, it is most convenient to take the A63 motorway and then turn onto the D459 road leading directly to the airfield. Free parking for cars and tour buses is provided for visitors right at the entrance.

For those who prefer public transport, buses run from the city center. Line 3 stops right at the gate (Musée de l'Alat stop), and line 2 will take you to the airfield, from where it is about a 350-meter walk to the museum entrance. A taxi ride from the central part of the city will take no more than 10 minutes.

The story of this unique place began about 40 years ago at the Navelet base. In the 1970s and 1980s, a group of aviation enthusiasts and veterans recognized the need to preserve France's aviation heritage. The museum received official status in 1983, when its collection consisted of only three aircraft. Since then, thanks to the efforts of the Association of Friends of the Museum (AAMALAT), the collection has grown to an impressive 70 machines.

The museum opened its doors to the general public in 1992. It became an important link in the network of 16 official museums of the French Army. A significant milestone in its development was 2023, when a new wing was opened, doubling the exhibition area to 6,000 square meters. This expansion made it possible to present the history of helicopter technology as fully as possible — from the first models of the 1950s to modern examples.

The museum's uniqueness lies in its inseparable connection to the active pilot training base. This place carefully preserves the memory of the evolution of rotary-wing aviation and the contribution of the specialists known here as "aerocombatants." The exhibition clearly demonstrates how technology and the tasks facing light aviation have changed over the decades.

For a complete tour of the exhibition, we recommend scheduling 2 to 3 hours. This time is enough to leisurely explore the main hangars, study the information stands, and take photos of the most interesting aircraft specimens.

If you plan to visit the museum on a Tuesday or Friday when guided tours are held, add another hour to your visit. Speaking with former pilots and mechanics significantly enriches the experience, as they share live stories about their service and the inner workings of the helicopters. Families with children usually need at least 1.5 hours to see the collection without rushing.

The museum welcomes guests throughout most of the year — from March to December. It is important to note that the exhibition is only open in the afternoon, which is perfect for concluding a sightseeing route through the city.

Opening Hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday – Saturday: 2:00 PM – 5:45 PM
• Sunday: Closed

A visit to the aviation museum can easily be combined with a stroll through the city's historic center. Dax is famous for its Gallo-Roman heritage and thermal springs, making a walk near the airfield an excellent addition to a technical tour.

Below are interesting sites and places located near the museum: