In early March 2025, an underwater drone accidentally discovered a 16th-century merchant ship wreck while monitoring deep-sea resources near Saint-Tropez.

The maritime prefecture announced the significant discovery on June 10, 2025, highlighting its importance to cultural maritime heritage.

The wreck, named 'Camarat 4', lies over 2.5 kilometers underwater, making it the deepest shipwreck found in French waters.

Previously, the deepest sunken vessel documented was the La Minerve submarine, which sank in 1968 at a depth of 2.3 kilometers.

Marine Sadania, an archaeologist involved in the project, noted that the wreck's depth has preserved it remarkably well, as if 'time froze'.

Arnaud Schaumasse, director of the Department of Underwater and Subaquatic Archaeological Research, referred to the wreck as a time capsule, emphasizing its exceptional preservation.

The site contains a cargo of ceramics, including around 200 jugs marked with the monogram 'IHS', indicating their origin from the Liguria region of Italy.

In addition to the jugs, the cargo features polychrome ceramic pitchers characteristic of 16th-century Ligurian production, along with other artifacts like anchors and cauldrons.

Additional artifacts recovered from the site include approximately 100 yellow plates, two cauldrons, an anchor, and six cannons, alongside some modern litter.

Despite the presence of some modern waste, the wreck has remained largely intact due to its depth, which has deterred looting.

Plans are underway to create a 3D digital model of the ship and to extract samples for further study over the next two years.

The destination of the ship remains unknown, adding an element of mystery to this remarkable archaeological find.