Aquarium de La Rochelle A unique journey to dream and understand the sea

A dive into the heart of the oceans…

Located in the heart of La Rochelle, opposite the Old Port, the Aquarium La Rochelle is one of the largest private aquariums in Europe. Every year, 800,000 visitors, young and old, immerse themselves in the ocean for two hours to discover 12,000 marine animals and 600 marine species.

A journey around the (underwater) world

After crossing the jellyfish tunnel, the visit opens onto an area dedicated to the Atlantic Ocean : you will discover how the tides work, numerous local species, as well as some emblematic animals such as seahorses and cuttlefish, queens of camouflage.

The route continues towards the Mediterranean Sea, where a cave allows you to admire the treasures of the Big Blue: octopus, lobsters, luminous cerianthus and even barbels evolve in a typical Mediterranean setting.

Next, it's time for the Oceanic, the first deep-sea area: a vast pool is home to hammerhead sharks, rays and schools of sardines. Their graceful movements offer a moment of pure contemplation.

Just across the street is one of the Aquarium's must-see attractions: the jellyfish area . In a subdued atmosphere, a dozen species float peacefully, undulating in the current of their kreisel. Their silent, hypnotic dance never fails to fascinate visitors.

We then reach the warmer seas with the Caribbean area : turquoise waters, colorful corals, and a shimmering biodiversity made up of angelfish, selenes and even porcupine fish.

Then, head towards the Indo-Pacific, a distant and spectacular world. There you can see multi-colored fish, such as the clownfish or the sailfish, sailing among resplendent corals.

The tour continues with the impressive shark aquarium, a ten-meter-deep pool with 1.5 million liters of water where gray, bull, leopard sharks and many other species swim majestically in a breathtaking panorama.

The visit would not be complete without a stop in front of the sea turtle pool, a true emblem of the La Rochelle Aquarium, which collects and cares for all the sea turtles stranded on the French Channel-Atlantic coast before returning them to the ocean.

The tour ends in style in the tropical greenhouse, bathed in natural light. This lush garden, populated by Florida turtles and piranhas, among others, transports visitors to the heart of the tropical rainforest and back to earth.

An unforgettable journey to the heart of the oceans, between wonder and education on the fragility of these ecosystems.

A visit for all audiences

To enhance the visit, an audio guide is available in different languages. While adults appreciate the wealth of information and the careful scenography, children are not left out: an audio guide has also been designed for them, allowing them to follow the adventures of Antioche, a young turtle. During the visit, there are pools at eye level, hiding places, educational activities... Everything is done to allow them to understand and marvel at their own pace. Activity booklets are also available at the Aquarium ticket office to discover the secrets of colors in the Ocean or the superpowers of marine animals.

A committed La Rochelle institution

The Aquarium La Rochelle is not just an exhibition space. It plays an essential role in the protection of marine species and ecosystems. In particular, it houses a Center for the Study and Care of Sea Turtles, unique on the Atlantic coast. More than 370 turtles have been treated and returned to the ocean since the creation of the CESTM. It also participates in numerous scientific projects in collaboration with national and international scientific communities in order to contribute to the development of knowledge on the marine environment. Finally, important work on the reproduction of marine species is carried out at the Aquarium. With its expertise built up over the years, half of the 12,000 marine animals presented to the public, such as jellyfish, corals, cuttlefish and seahorses, have been reproduced on site.

To extend the experience:

• The Mémoires d'Océans store at the end of the visit.
• Brasserie Là-Haut and its panoramic terrace on the second floor of the Aquarium.

Practical information

• Location: Quai Louis Prunier, La Rochelle.
• Duration of visit: approximately 2 hours.
• It is strongly recommended to purchase your tickets online, especially during school holidays.
• Accessible to people with reduced mobility.
• No pets allowed on site.
• Any exit is final.