Diver observing the naval architecture in place (2006-07-24) by Teddy Seguin & ADRAMARAdramar
Archeological sites protected by the law
Wrecks and objects lying on the seabed are considered to be cultural property. This is why they are protected by law, and deemed to be the property of the French State.
Discovery of an intact violin pulley on the site (2005-06-29) by Teddy Seguin & ADRAMARAdramar
Diving prohibited at historical sites
It is against the law to dive at the sites of ancient shipwrecks. On the one hand, this avoids unscrupulous divers plundering the site, whether to resell an object or merely to keep it as a souvenir of their dive, and on the other hand, this also avoids anyone disturbing the site's archaeological setting.
Launching from the ship Hermine Bretagne (2011-10-19) by Teddy Seguin & ADRAMARAdramar
Excavation of the ZI 24 wreck
The ZI 24 wreck (which stands for "exclusion zone 24" in French) was discovered in 1989. It was surveyed in 2011 and excavated in 2012 by ADRAMAR.
A wreck at the foot of the La Rance tidal barrage
The wreckage was named ZI 24 because it is located close to buoy 24, which marks out the exclusion zone around the La Rance tidal power station, which generates electricity using energy from the tides. This makes diving procedures for the site more complex
Taking measurements on a cannon (Excavation of the wreck of the ZI 24, Saint-Malo, 18th century) (2011-10-18) by Teddy Seguin & ADRAMARAdramar
A wreck dating from the 17th and 18th centuries
Eleven cast-iron cannons, laid out nose to tail and side by side, have been studied. These are not part of a battery of artillery, but were used as ballast for the ship. The remains of the hull can be found underneath the cannons.
3D model of the pewter cover discovered on the wreck Zi 24 (2017-07-01) by ADRAMARAdramar
So few artifacts were found at the site, a pewter bell was taken and restored in the laboratory
Excavation campaign on the wreckage of the ZI 24, ADRAMAR (2012-10-05) by J. Le Lay & ADRAMARAdramar
Watch the video of the ZI 24 excavation
For now, wreck ZI 24 remains a mystery, with no sign of any formal identification, despite the field and archive research carried out.
Choice of site for re-immersion, the rock of Bizeux Saint-Malo (2016-01-01) by Nicolas Job & ADRAMARAdramar
A recreated archeological site?
In order to allow everyone to dive down to experience an archaeological site, ADRAMAR has installed a recreation of an archeological site at the foot of La Rance de Bizeux. The site of wreckage ZI 24 served as a model for the creation.
Bizeux Rock
Located in the estuary of La Rance, the Bizeux site is ideal for diving, with its location sheltered from the ocean swell.
Re-immersed archaeological objects (2015-01-01) by Anne Hoyau & ADRAMARAdramar
Genuine artifacts re-submerged
Genuine cast-iron cannons and a giant anchor have been made available and studied by ADRAMAR for this project. These objects were discovered on sites off the coast of Saint-Malo, but hadn't found a place in museums. So, they were re-submerged.
Map of the reconstructed archaeological site of Bizeux (2015-06-22) by ADRAMARAdramar
Recreation of a shipwreck site
The Bizeux archeological recreation site reproduces all the elements of an 18th-century shipwreck before archeological investigations.
Recreation of a shipwreck site
Two cannons, fitted as ballast to weigh down the ship, have found a bed among the stone ballast. Marking the axis of the ship's keel, they are implanted in the same way as those which were discovered a few hundred meters away on the ZI 24 wreck.
Recreation of a shipwreck site
Three cannons are located on the flank of the wreckage. They were in defensive battery positions at the sides of the ship.
Recreation of a shipwreck site
A giant anchor marks the bow of the ship.
Implementation of the reconstructed archaeological site of Bizeux - artillery pieces, Saint-Malo (2016-01-01) by Nicolas Job & ADRAMARAdramar
Here, you're the archaeologist!
The re-submerged remains allow you to explore a shipwreck, just like an underwater archaeologist would.
Briefing before diving on the reconstructed site of Bizeux (2016-09-18) by Nicolas Job & ADRAMARAdramar
A site open to all
A briefing, explanations and discussions before diving down to the underwater site.
Bizeux, an archaeological site reconstituted for all those who can swim (2016-01-01) by ADRAMARAdramar
Site exploration by snorkel
Marked out by a buoy, the site can be accessed by snorkeling when tides are low in high coefficients.
Start of the dive on the reconstructed wreck of Bizeux, Saint-Malo (2016-01-01) by Nicolas Job & ADRAMARAdramar
Dive (quite literally) into archeology
The Bizeux site can give you not just one, but two firsts: discovering diving and discovering underwater archeology.
Diving on the anchor of the reconstructed archaeological site of Bizeux (Saint-Malo, France) - 1 (2016-01-01) by Nicolas Job & ADRAMARAdramar
The giant anchor
The anchor boasts impressive dimensions, measuring 3.5 meters high and 2.19 meters wide, and weighing in at 600 kg.
Diving on the cannons of the reconstructed archaeological site of Bizeux (Saint-Malo, France) - 3 (2016-01-01) by Nicolas Job & ADRAMARAdramar
As close to the remains as you can get
The benefit of a recreated site lies in the option to explore it without the restrictions and constraints of an archeological site.
Diving on the cannons of the reconstructed archaeological site of Bizeux (Saint-Malo, France) - 2 (2016-01-01) by Nicolas Job & ADRAMARAdramar
A unique way to discover maritime heritage
You can even touch the remains!
Dive down to the recreated Bizeux archeological site for a fun, sensory-packed experience as you explore our heritage.
End of the dive on the site of Bizeux (2016-08-31) by Sophie Le PollesAdramar
End of a dive at the Bizeux site
A diver enjoying a well-earned rest in the sun after exploring the Bizeux recreated archeological site.
The ADRAMAR association would like to thank everyone who supports these projects, with particular thanks to the Brittany Region, the departmental council of Ille et Vilaine, the city of Saint-Malo and DRASSM (Department of Sub-Aquatic and Marine Archeological Research, of the Ministry of Culture) for their financial support.
