[1] The ship was constructed by Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre of Normandy, France and delivered on 12 May 1995; it is registered in Marseille but its base of operations is the island of La Réunion.

This has allowed for the development of integrated, multidisciplinary programs, for instance, spending several months in 1999 coring for paleo-climatic purposes in the North Atlantic.

[3] There are 31 laboratories with 650 square metres (7,000 sq ft) total surface area, plus the possibility of additional lab containers on the bridges and helicopter platform.

Calypso is a Kullenberg type round piston corer adjustable 2 to 12 tonnes (2.2 to 13.2 short tons) and 70 metres (230 ft) long.

[4] Over the stern sampling equipment includes:[5] In addition to the usual complement of scientists, researchers, technicians and construction workers, in recent years the Marion Dufresne has also played host to an increasing number of tourists (up to 14 per trip) who book passage for a period lasting about 28 days.

A 9,000-kilometre (5,600 mi) passage includes guided tours of Crozet, Kerguelen, and Amsterdam Islands – with opportunities to view the local wildlife.

[7] On 7 December 2016, the ship and its crew rescued Kito de Pavant, a single-handed French sailor taking part in the 2016–2017 edition of the Vendée Globe.

[8] His IMOCA 60 yacht had suffered significant damage to the keel after a collision with a sperm whale[9] approximately 110 nautical miles (200 km; 130 mi) to the north of the Crozet Islands.