Welcome to a spellbinding world... That of Nausicaa and the marine world! Located on the Côte d'Opale, in the heart of the town of Boulogne sur Mer, Nausicaá plunges you into the middle of the ocean. Much more than just an aquarium, it's Europe's largest site dedicated to discovering and raising awareness of the marine world. Nausicaa Boulogne is a must-see when visiting the region, and is just 1 hour by train from Lille and 2 hours from Paris. So there's no excuse to come and discover this unique place in Europe.
A real maritime treasure
Nausicaa offers young and old alike the chance to explore the deep sea. Located in one of France's largest fishing ports, Nausicaa invites you to discover the secrets of the aquatic world. Its name is inspired by the character of Princess Nausicaä in Homer's mythical epic "The Odyssey". Like the princess who discovered Ulysses washed ashore, you'll be amazed to discover this natural oasis.
Nausicaa boasts extraordinary biodiversity. The site is home to a variety of marine species, from magnificent colourful fish to majestic sea turtles and fascinating jellyfish. This diversity of species is due to the conservation efforts of a dedicated team. Visitors have the unique opportunity to discover these wonders of nature while learning how to preserve our marine ecosystem. Because yes, Nausicaa's number 1 priority is to preserve an entire ecosystem.
An immersive experience
Nausicaa is not just a place of entertainment: it is first and foremost a player committed to raising awareness and preserving the marine environment. The educational programmes offered to visitors of all ages aim to promote environmental awareness and encourage the adoption of sustainable practices to protect our precious marine life.
You'll soon realise that the experience here is interactive. The visit appeals to young and old alike, as there is a real desire for everyone to be involved in their visit. The giant aquariums and tanks will plunge you into the heart of the oceans, allowing you to get up close and personal with marine creatures evolving in their natural environment. Marine life enthusiasts will marvel at the wealth of knowledge shared by Nausicaa's experts through interactive exhibitions and captivating presentations.
Nausicaa also offers two fun exhibitions, "Voyage en Haute Mer" and "Des Rivages et des Hommes". All the areas have been designed to immerse you as closely as possible to the animals, giving visitors an absolutely unique sensory experience. There are also shows, such as the ocean show, which takes place in front of a large bay window.
Getting to Nausicaa Boulogne
The national sea centre is an absolutely incredible place. Just look at the reviews on TripAdvisor: Nausicaa is the favourite activity of tourists in Boulogne-sur-Mer. The price of a 1-day ticket for an adult is 30 euros. For children up to the age of 12, the price is €23. There are also special rates for students and the elderly, at €26.50. Tickets can also be purchased from reception at our La Marina de Boulogne sur Mer residence.
After this visit, we can't rule out the possibility that you'll be dreaming of grey sharks, manta rays and schools of colourful fish.... Your visit will be much more than just a trip, it will be a contribution to the preservation of our planet and its marine treasures. So, are you ready to experience an unforgettable adventure for just a few hours?
Discover the Fascinating Exhibitions at the Nausicaá Aquarium
Nausicaá Aquarium offers the most complete journey through marine and coastal life, with more than 20 exhibits you will soon see why Nausicaá is the largest aquarium in Europe.
From deep sea to coast, dark to light, animal to man and from freshwater to brackish, the many mysteries of the sea are discovered and explained in Nausicaá's exhibitions.
Below is a brief sneak peak of what the Nausicaá Aquarium has to offer. Then, for those who are interested, we have taken a closer look at some of the exhibits.
The exhibitions can be divided into two main themes: On the High Seas & About Coasts and People.
The High Seas
On the High Seas takes you to one of the last unexplored areas of the globe, through courses and tours you step into the shoes of an explorer through the gigantic depths of the wondrous Pacific Ocean.
The Kingdom of Sharks
Sharks have fascinated and moved mankind for centuries. Both admired and feared, this ancient predator is rightly called the "King of the Sea". At Nausicaá Boulogne-sur-Mer, you can come and admire a number of shark species.
There are some 500 different species of sharks in the seas and oceans, a small proportion of which can be seen in this exhibition. A fraction are man-eaters and the cliché "they are probably more afraid of you than you are of them" is more than true here too.
Predators are a particularly important link in keeping food chains balanced and thus maintaining natural equilibrium. The human reduction of shark species is therefore also a threat to the entire underwater world.
To date, man is the shark's greatest enemy and an estimated 100 million sharks die each year as a result of human activity! It is a major ecological disaster resulting in an irreparable imbalance.
Besides the extraordinary experience, this is one of the lessons that the exhibition The Kingdom of Sharks wants to teach you. Are you fascinated by sharks? Come and see them at Nausicaá!
As you may know, the ocean plays an indispensable role in maintaining the natural balance of our planet. It is the source of all life on earth, regulates and influences our many climate zones and is the engine for the water cycle and the production of oxygen.
In this exhibition, you will be interactively challenged to test your knowledge about the ocean or participate in the debate on ocean management.
The Blue Society or "Blue Society" aims to promote positive growth of the oceans and seas to meet the future needs of humanity.
A good, respectful, but above all balanced, development of marine space is certainly not impossible. However, there are a number of challenges: political, economic, technological and cultural. These are factors that all influence how we deal with the space of the seas and oceans.
There are already so many lessons to be learned from our seas and oceans that can contribute to areas such as food, energy and health. The Blue Society is committed to finding solutions that will lead to a sustainable and just society.
Mankind & Shores
The exhibition "Mankind & Shores," focuses on the age-old relationship between man and the sea. In this exhibition, you will experience how much man and the sea are intertwined and how much mankind has been dependent on the sea.
You will discover the great biodiversity and different ecosystems, but above all the importance of the ocean and the seas for mankind and what is needed to protect them. So that this age-old relationship can be maintained for many years to come.
Touch Tank
The touch tank is designed with the idea that humans and animals have direct contact. You can touch the animals here in peace and quiet, which makes for an unforgettable experience!
The rays, which can feel the slightest vibration in the water, are happy to come and say hello. In addition to stingrays, this aquarium is also home to Pollock fish and codfish.
Come and literally feel what marine life has to offer in this special exhibition at the Nausicaá Aquarium.
californian reserve for Sea Lions
These 'lions' do not have impressive manes, but they do have smooth skin, a surprising intellect and an impressive roar. Let these five California sea lions surprise and entertain you.
When the population declined sharply, they were moved to various reserves to continue the species, including one at the Nausicaá aquarium.
At the entrance, you will come into contact with the animals for the first time through a glass tunnel.
In the enclosure, the animals shoot from left to right above your head at speeds of up to 30 km/h, as if you were in the middle of the ocean. A truly unique experience.
On the surface, you can admire the animals resting, playing and diving in the open air on specially made rocks and wooden reconstructions of their natural habitat.
The Evancy Boulogne-sur-Mer residence is less than 800 metres away from this magnificent aquarium. A brand new residence where you and your family are guaranteed a wonderful and restful stay. With a view of the old marina or the basilica, your stay is complete.
You also have access to your own terrace and kitchen so if you want to cook yourself that's no problem! Pets are also welcome here, ideal for animal lovers. Moreover, it is the perfect base for the Opal Coast and the cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez.
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