Aquarium

La Rochelle boasts its aquarium like any other major seaside city. Nevertheless, the La Rochelle Aquarium is among the top largest institutions not only in France but also in Europe.

Opened in 1988, the Aquarium shows marine and oceanic inhabitants of the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean Seas. In total, the Aquarium is home to more than 12,000 species of "residents," including not only various types of small fish and jellyfish but also very dangerous inhabitants of the seabed like sharks and piranhas.

The Aquarium displays 65 fish tanks that contain a total of 3 million (!) liters of water. It is simply impossible to see everything in such a large complex in one hour. So it is better to allocate at least a couple of hours to it.

Initially, the volume of the fish tanks did not exceed 500,000 liters (6 times less than now). However, it was transformed during the reconstruction in 2000.

To visit all the halls and get a better idea of marine life, take a guided tour of the Aquarium. You will first be invited to the hall with the representatives of the deep sea. You will come there by taking a special elevator to the lowest hall. This hall provides conditions as close as possible to the natural habitat of deep-sea fish and mollusks: dim light and even a slight gleam of water.

There are also individual aquariums that are actually tunnels. So don't be surprised if a large fish suddenly swims next to you or over your head.

By the way, the Aquarium also conducts lectures and seminars for students.
The Aquarium is conveniently located in the center of La Rochelle, close to another themed attraction, the Maritime Museum.