Aquarium 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 La Rochelle Aquarium is one of the largest private aquariums in Europe. Every year, 800,000 visitors, young and old, embark on a two-hour underwater journey to discover 12,000 marine animals and 600 marine species.

A journey around the world (underwater)

After passing through the jellyfish tunnel, the visit opens onto a space dedicated to the Atlantic Ocean : here you can discover how the tides work, many local species, as well as some emblematic animals such as seahorses or cuttlefish, queens of camouflage.

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

Next up is the Oceanic, the first deep-sea area: a vast tank houses whitetip reef sharks, rays and schools of sardines. Their graceful movements offer a moment of pure contemplation.

Just opposite, one of the Aquarium's must-sees: the jellyfish area. In a softly lit atmosphere, about ten species float peacefully, undulating in the current of their stalk. Their silent and hypnotic dance never fails to fascinate visitors.

We then move to warmer seas with the Caribbean area : turquoise waters, colorful corals, and a shimmering biodiversity composed of angelfish, selenes or even porcupinefish.

Then, we set sail for the Indo-Pacific, a distant and spectacular world. There, we observe multicolored fish, such as clownfish or sailfish, navigating among resplendent corals.

The tour continues with the impressive shark aquarium, a ten-meter-deep tank containing 1.5 million liters of water where grey sharks, bull sharks, 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 visit ends beautifully in the tropical greenhouse, bathed in natural light. This lush garden, populated by Florida turtles and piranhas among other animals, transports visitors to the heart of the rainforest before bringing them back down to earth.

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

2026 highlights

To mark its 25th anniversary, Aquarium La Rochelle invites visitors to enjoy brand-new experiences. A captivating journey into the heart of the marine world awaits, with new universes to explore: coming face to face with the great species of the Atlantic through a sensory and immersive crossing, being mesmerised by the fluorescence of a coral reef, and going behind the scenes in a space dedicated to the work of keepers and biologists, where everyone becomes an actor in the preservation of the marine world.

A visit for all audiences

To enhance the visit, an audio guide is available in several languages. While adults appreciate the wealth of information and the carefully designed exhibits, children are not forgotten: an audio guide has also been created for them, allowing them to follow the adventures of Antioche, a young turtle. Throughout the visit, eye-level tanks, hiding places, educational displays…everything is designed to allow them to understand and marvel at their own pace. Activity booklets are also available at the Aquarium's ticket office to discover the secrets of colors in the ocean or the superpowers of marine animals.

A committed La Rochelle institution

The La Rochelle Aquarium is more than just an exhibition space. It plays a vital role in the protection of marine species and ecosystems. In particular, it houses a Sea Turtle Research and Care Center, the only one of its kind on the Atlantic coast. Since the center's creation, over 370 turtles have been treated and released back into the ocean. The aquarium also participates in numerous scientific projects in collaboration with national and international scientific communities to contribute to the advancement of knowledge about the marine environment. Finally, significant work on the reproduction of marine species is carried out at the Aquarium. Drawing on its expertise built up over the years, half of the 12,000 marine animals on display, such as jellyfish, corals, cuttlefish, and seahorses, have been bred on-site.

To extend the experience:

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

Practical information

• Location: Quai Louis Prunier, La Rochelle.
• Visit duration: approximately 2 hours.
• It is strongly recommended to buy your tickets online, especially during school holidays.
• Accessible to people with reduced mobility.
• Animals are not allowed during visits.
• All exits are final.