How to visit La Rochelle Aquarium (France): schedules, prices

Do you know that the La Rochelle Aquarium, not only is the largest aquarium in France, but also the second most visited tourist attraction in the region of Poitou-Charentes?

Maybe in your trip through western France decide visit La Rochelle attracted by the fame of its port with its medieval towers, but according to the Tourism Observatory of the region, 40 percent of visitors arrive specifically to visit the Aquariumo.

And I can assure you that it is totally worth it.

Tras visit the La Rochelle Aquarium, I have really been surprised by its dimensions, design and the richness of its maritime fauna.

But it is easy to understand when you know that this aquarium was created in 1970 by the Coutant family, who in recent decades, through his company Coutant Aquariums, has built the most important aquariums in Europe.

Among them, in addition to La Rochelle, is the Lisbon Oceanarium or Oceanographic of Valencia.

What to see when visiting the La Rochelle Aquarium

Regarding the La Rochelle Aquarium, its compelling data gives you a good idea of ​​its dimensions.

In its 8.400 square meters, of which 4.000 are designated for visits, it stores 3 million liters of seawater and houses 12.000 marine animals of 600 different species.

With 800.000 visitors a year, the aquarium target is to raise awareness about ocean protection.

Your visit to this aquarium can take up to two hours, depending on the time you spend enjoying the different maritime environments it shows you.

The visit begins by visiting the so-called Jellyfish Tunnel, so that in a 360-degree maritime environment you can enjoy the ballet of this very plastic and peculiar species.

In the area dedicated to Atlantic you can see, among other species, squid, stripes, soles y turbot.

From Mediterranean coast highlights the bank breams that is moved by the movement of the waves.

In the huge central aquarium is where you will find the always fascinating Sharks, both the great bull shark, As the gray sharks.

You will also be struck by the great stripe and sawfish, species that contrast with the colorful fish Payaso.

Without a doubt, one of the most striking areas of the La Rochelle Aquarium is the one dedicated to warm waters, both Caribbean like the tropical greenhouse, in whose waters you will see the piranhas.

And, to finish your visit, the area dedicated to corals.

La Rochelle Aquarium Schedule

The La Rochelle Aquarium visiting hours They are, in July and August, from 9 a.m. to 23 p.m.; from April to June and in September, from 9 a.m. to 20 p.m.; and from October to March, from 10 a.m. to 20 p.m.

La Rochelle Aquarium ticket prices

The ticket prices (2020) are, for adults from 18 years old, 16,50 euros and 19 euros with audio guide; for children from 3 to 17 years old, 12 euros and 14 euros with audio guide; and children under 3 years old enter for free.

Photos La Rochelle Aquarium

Below you have more photos of the La Rochelle Aquarium.