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Aquarium de La Rochelle

Large private aquarium on the Old Port with 12,000 marine animals from the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the tropics, and a study and care center for sea turtles.

ÅbningstiderEntré 18,50 € Kørestolsvenlig Restaurant

Billetter Hjemmeside Rute

Aquarium de La RochelleÅbningstiderEntré 18,50 €

Billetter Hjemmeside

Om museet

The aquarium grew out of a family passion. The naturalist René Coutant, a horticultural engineer, built the first seawater aquariums in the early 1950s, then opened a 250 m² aquarium in La Rochelle in 1970. In 1975 he handed the business over to his children, Roselyne and Pascal.

In 1985 a fire devastated the facility. The second generation rebuilt it over three years and in 1988 inaugurated the Grand Aquarium de La Rochelle, presented as the largest aquarium in France at the time. The site is on the quai Louis Prunier, on the marina, near the station.

Today it is one of the largest private aquariums in Europe. The route includes 84 aquariums, about 600 species and 3 million liters of seawater, spread across the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the tropical seas, with jellyfish, sharks, sea turtles and a tropical greenhouse. According to the operator, admission fees fund scientific research and biodiversity awareness campaigns.

The aquarium also presents itself as a center for the study and protection of marine species. It runs a study and care center for sea turtles, carries out breeding programs and offers educational activities for school classes. The third generation of the Coutant family now runs the company.

Højdepunkter

More than 12,000 marine animals and about 600 species in 84 aquariums
René Coutant amphitheater with a 150,000-liter tank, a sea turtle and royal trevallies
Study and care center for sea turtles
Tropical greenhouse and shark tank
Brasserie Là-Haut with views of the Old Port and the towers of La Rochelle

Permanent udstilling

Parcours de visite – The route features 84 aquariums devoted to the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the tropical seas, with jellyfish, sharks, sea turtles and a tropical greenhouse.

Grundlagt: 1970
Ejer: Aquarium La Rochelle (entreprise familiale privée)

Entrépriser & rabatter

Voksne	18,50 €
Nedsat pris	16,50 €Large families (at least 2 adults and 3 paying children), adult students, people with disabilities
Børn og unge	12,50 €gratis til og med 2 år · Children aged 3 to 12: €12.50 (reduced €10.50). Young people aged 13 to 17: €14.50 (reduced €12.50). Free for children under 3.
Pensionister	–No senior rate.
Personer med handicap	16,50 €Reduced rate for people with disabilities, with proof; the companion receives the reduced rate if the disability card shows a need for a companion.
Studerende og elever	16,50 €Reduced rate for adult students, with proof.
Grupper	–Rates and booking for groups and school parties are on the aquarium’s website.
Familier	–For large families (at least 2 adults and 3 paying children), a €2 per person discount with proof.
Adult audio guide	2,50 €French, English, Spanish, German
Child audio guide	2 €
Adult annual pass	55 €Student: €50; ages 13 to 17: €40; ages 3 to 12: €35; access without a booking, €2 discount for accompanying adults, 10% off purchases

To get the reduced rate when buying online, you must book at full price and then show proof at the reception desk to receive a €2 per person refund. Tickets are not refundable, but the date can be changed once, at least 24 hours before the visit. The aquarium is a private site: there is no discount for job seekers, and the Pass Éducation does not apply. It accepts ANCV holiday vouchers and chèques culture at the box office.

Tilgængelighed

Kørestolsvenlig
Elevator
Handicaptoilet: ingen oplysninger
Handicapparkering
Servicehunde tilladt
Taktile tilbud: ingen oplysninger
Rundvisninger på tegnsprog: ingen oplysninger
Letlæste tilbud: ingen oplysninger
Synstolkning: ingen oplysninger

The whole site, on two levels, is wheelchair-accessible, with lifts that are not glazed. Wheelchairs and strollers are lent free of charge against an ID as a deposit, subject to availability; it is best to reserve a wheelchair by phone. Two induction loops are installed at the ticket desk and in the amphitheater. Reserved parking spaces are available in the paid municipal car parks. The site holds the “Qualité Tourisme” and “Tourisme et Handicap” labels. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted; other animals are not.

Børn og familie

Velegnet til børn og familier

Besøgets varighed	ca. 1,5 t.
Entré for børn	gratis til og med 2 år

Opgavehæfte, skattejagt eller audioguide for børn
Barnevognsvenlig

An audio guide for children from age 4 follows the adventures of the turtle Antioche (in French). Strollers are admitted, and strollers can be borrowed on site.

Transport & parkering

Med offentlig transport

Aquarium

La Rochelle SNCF station, 5 minutes on foot (TGV Paris–La Rochelle, Intercités and TER from Bordeaux and Nantes). Bus Illico lines 3 and 4, stop “Aquarium”. Ferry across the Old Port between “Cours des Dames” and “Médiathèque”.

I bil

Betalingsparkering

No private car park. Paid municipal car parks Encan (in front of the aquarium, maximum height 2 m) and Vieux Port Sud (covered, opposite the Mercure hotel). Park-and-ride: Les Greffières (coming from the Île de Ré) and Beaulieu (coming from Paris or Niort); Jean Moulin car park, 15 minutes on foot. Motorhomes cannot enter the nearby municipal car parks.

Handicapparkering

The aquarium is on the quai Louis Prunier, on the marina. By car, follow the signs for the town center or the SNCF station. During the holidays, arrive 30 minutes before the time on your ticket. Bike racks and six bike-share stations nearby.

Planlæg rute

Service & spisesteder

Café
Restaurant
Museumsbutik
Garderobe

Brasserie Là-Haut on the second floor, with a terrace and views of the Old Port, accessible without buying a ticket. Takeaway kiosk outside the entrance (9:00 to 18:30 in summer, 9:00 to 17:00 the rest of the year). Shop “Mémoires d’Océans”. Paid cloakroom (from €0.50 per coat to €4 per cabin suitcase). Eating is not possible inside the route. The site does not mention Wi-Fi for visitors.

Arrangementer & udlejning

Lokaler til leje
Firmaarrangementer

René Coutant amphitheater with 130 seats, with sound, lighting and video equipment, for meetings, seminars and conferences. Private evenings with a cocktail inside the route at nightfall.

Forespørgsel & detaljer

Planlæg dit besøg

Rundvisninger	nej
Audioguide	ja (FR, EN, ES, DE)
Tilbud til skoler	ja
Fotografering	Photos and films are allowed during the visit; flash is prohibited.
Godt at vide	There is no guided tour; the audio guide takes its place. The visit lasts on average 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, must be done in one go, and any exit is final. Young people under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The texts are in French and English. Bike trailers, balance bikes and tricycles are prohibited.

Åbningstider

Normale åbningstider

Mandag	10.00–19.30
Tirsdag	10.00–19.30
Onsdag	10.00–19.30
Torsdag	10.00–19.30
Fredag	10.00–19.30
Lørdag	10.00–19.30
Søndag	10.00–19.30

Early October (1. oktober 2026 – 16. oktober 2026)

Mandag	10.00–19.30
Tirsdag	10.00–19.30
Onsdag	10.00–19.30
Torsdag	10.00–19.30
Fredag	10.00–19.30
Lørdag	10.00–19.30
Søndag	10.00–19.30

All Saints’ holidays (17. oktober 2026 – 1. november 2026)

Mandag	09.00–20.00
Tirsdag	09.00–20.00
Onsdag	09.00–20.00
Torsdag	09.00–20.00
Fredag	09.00–20.00
Lørdag	09.00–20.00
Søndag	09.00–20.00

November to mid-December (2. november 2026 – 18. december 2026)

Mandag	10.00–19.00
Tirsdag	10.00–19.00
Onsdag	10.00–19.00
Torsdag	10.00–19.00
Fredag	10.00–19.00
Lørdag	10.00–19.00
Søndag	10.00–19.00

Christmas holidays (before the 24th) (19. december 2026 – 23. december 2026)

Mandag	10.00–20.00
Tirsdag	10.00–20.00
Onsdag	10.00–20.00
Torsdag	10.00–20.00
Fredag	10.00–20.00
Lørdag	10.00–20.00
Søndag	10.00–20.00

December 24 (24. december 2026 – 24. december 2026)

Mandag	10.00–19.00
Tirsdag	10.00–19.00
Onsdag	10.00–19.00
Torsdag	10.00–19.00
Fredag	10.00–19.00
Lørdag	10.00–19.00
Søndag	10.00–19.00

December 25 (25. december 2026 – 25. december 2026)

Mandag	14.00–20.00
Tirsdag	14.00–20.00
Onsdag	14.00–20.00
Torsdag	14.00–20.00
Fredag	14.00–20.00
Lørdag	14.00–20.00
Søndag	14.00–20.00

End of December (26. december 2026 – 31. december 2026)

Mandag	10.00–20.00
Tirsdag	10.00–20.00
Onsdag	10.00–20.00
Torsdag	10.00–20.00
Fredag	10.00–20.00
Lørdag	10.00–20.00
Søndag	10.00–20.00

January 1 (1. januar 2027 – 1. januar 2027)

Mandag	14.00–20.00
Tirsdag	14.00–20.00
Onsdag	14.00–20.00
Torsdag	14.00–20.00
Fredag	14.00–20.00
Lørdag	14.00–20.00
Søndag	14.00–20.00

Early January (2. januar 2027 – 3. januar 2027)

Mandag	10.00–20.00
Tirsdag	10.00–20.00
Onsdag	10.00–20.00
Torsdag	10.00–20.00
Fredag	10.00–20.00
Lørdag	10.00–20.00
Søndag	10.00–20.00

January to early February (4. januar 2027 – 5. februar 2027)

Mandag	10.00–19.00
Tirsdag	10.00–19.00
Onsdag	10.00–19.00
Torsdag	10.00–19.00
Fredag	10.00–19.00
Lørdag	10.00–19.00
Søndag	10.00–19.00

Winter holidays (6. februar 2027 – 7. marts 2027)

Mandag	10.00–20.00
Tirsdag	10.00–20.00
Onsdag	10.00–20.00
Torsdag	10.00–20.00
Fredag	10.00–20.00
Lørdag	10.00–20.00
Søndag	10.00–20.00

March (8. marts 2027 – 31. marts 2027)

Mandag	10.00–19.30
Tirsdag	10.00–19.30
Onsdag	10.00–19.30
Torsdag	10.00–19.30
Fredag	10.00–19.30
Lørdag	10.00–19.30
Søndag	10.00–19.30

April to early July (1. april 2027 – 4. juli 2027)

Mandag	09.00–20.00
Tirsdag	09.00–20.00
Onsdag	09.00–20.00
Torsdag	09.00–20.00
Fredag	09.00–20.00
Lørdag	09.00–20.00
Søndag	09.00–20.00

Early July (5. juli 2027 – 18. juli 2027)

Mandag	09.00–23.00
Tirsdag	09.00–23.00
Onsdag	09.00–23.00
Torsdag	09.00–23.00
Fredag	09.00–23.00
Lørdag	09.00–23.00
Søndag	09.00–23.00

The aquarium is open 365 days a year, without a daytime closure. Hours change with the seasons. The last entry is about 1 hour 30 minutes before closing. During school holidays and weekends, visitor numbers are high, and a timed ticket bought online is the only way to guarantee entry.

Åbent på helligdage.