Tintin in Saint-Nazaire

“Billions of blue blistering barnacles!”—what on earth is Tintin doing in Saint-Nazaire? If you’re a fan of the famous quiff-haired reporter, you might remember that in The Seven Crystal Balls, Tintin, along with his loyal dog Snowy and the ever-exasperated Captain Haddock, travels to Saint-Nazaire in search of the kidnapped Professor Calculus.To honor this unexpected but memorable stop in Tintin’s adventures, a local association of die-hard fans decided to bring the story to life. They installed six giant enamel panels—each five meters tall and nearly five meters wide—on the very locations featured in the comic. It’s more than just a fun literary reference. Hergé’s iconic illustrations also echo a time when Saint-Nazaire was still a major departure point for voyages to Central America. So, whether you’re here for nostalgia or just curious, these larger-than-life panels offer a playful way to dive into the past—through the lens of one of the greatest comic book classics of all time.