The Hydronautes — a citizen-science project that almost capsized over a boat theft
France 3 covers BIUTOPIC's citizen-science project and the theft that nearly derailed it.
Moored in the heart of Nantes, the city of Jules Verne,
L'Hydronaute is a one-of-a-kind solar-electric boat,
conceived as an exploration experience on the Erdre.
Here you leave the city behind for another rhythm —
slower, freer, with the current.
No licence, self-guided navigation, for a night or a longer expedition.
Every voyage becomes a rare immersion
between nature, innovation and ecological commitment.
This is no ordinary pleasure boat:
it's a pioneer, fitted with a one-of-a-kind system.
With every metre travelled, L'Hydronaute will filter the river,
capturing plastics before they reach the ocean.
Passenger · Early access
Embark
Sail the Erdre. Founder rate €190. July–October 2026.
Book a date →Researcher · Platform
Research
The boat as a field platform. Sensors, biodiversity, open data.
Propose a mission →Partner · Institution
Build
Structure · BIUTOPIC SAS · ESS / ESUS · JEI Eligible · IR-PME · Madelin scheme
See the dossier →L'Hydronaute. On the Erdre.
A 1980s barge. Transformed by a floating exoskeleton — solar, electric, no permanent modification to the hull.
On board, sensors measure microplastics, water quality, biodiversity. 10% of every booking goes to Plastic Odyssey.
Inhabit the living without weighing on it.
A solar boat on one of France's most beautiful rivers. No licence required. Open to those who want to sail, research, or build.
Values
- Regeneration
- Simplicity
- Symbiosis
- Transmission
- Responsibility
Technology in symbiosis with nature — not a utopia, a concrete demonstration.
Numbers
The boat, in numbers
Performance, sensors, navigation. Live data — some validated, some still in progress.
Energy & performance
Solar power
0 Wc
Bifacial · 4 × 500 W + 2 × 470 W
Solar range
—
100% solar · range being validated
in progressCO₂ emissions
—
Electric · zero fuel · zero noise
Filtered / 10 h
—
Microplastics · capacity being validated
in progressFilter mass
—
Filter capacity · µm threshold · validating
in progressParticle size
—
Microplastics · fibres · fragments
in progress Research & sensors
Active research axes
—
Microplastics · river retrofit · Université Gustave Eiffel
in progressTotal km sailed
—
Mission cumulative · acquiring
in progressActive sensors
—
Temp · pH · turbidity · O₂ · GPS
in progressNatura 2000 zone
0 km
Erdre · protected ecological corridor
Embedded scientist
—
Field missions · PhD · protocols
in progressOpen data
—
Citizen science · open data · onboard
Navigation & use
Propulsion
—
Rim drive · IP68 · silent · 62 kgf
Steering
—
Assisted · semi-autonomous · remote
Bird species
—
Observed yearly · Erdre Natura 2000
Max passengers
0 pax
No licence · Division 240 · Cat. C
Cabins
0 cabins
1 double bed · 1 convertible saloon
Length
0 m
Beam 4 m · with exoskeleton · Renaud 8000 barge (1987)
Press
Coverage
3 articles
Stargate — boat behind a science project — stolen, then recovered after an improvised chase on the Erdre
The Nantes river community mobilises — L'Hydronaute and Elven Villecourt at the centre of the action.
The “Stargate”, boat stolen in Nantes, recovered 24 hours later thanks to broad mobilisation
A look back at the collective effort and the river community's role in cracking the case.
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Right now, on the water
08 — Board
Board,research, build.
Early access
Book
An early voyage on the Erdre at a reduced rate, before the official opening. A 10% deposit locks your dates — donated to Plastic Odyssey on confirmation. Full refund if the outing cannot take place.
Get early access →PAMI · ESS-ESUS · JEI
Partners & funding
Municipality, investor, institution — BIUTOPIC SAS, ESS-ESUS certified, JEI candidate. PAMI dossier available. Prototype phase July 2026.
See the dossier →Research · Platform
Propose a research mission
L'Hydronaute is a research platform available on the Erdre. Microplastics sensors, water quality, biodiversity monitoring. Partnership with Université Gustave Eiffel in progress.
Propose a mission →Questions, partnerships, press: hydronaute@biutopic.com