Aquarium du palais de la Porte Dorée, Public aquarium in 12th arrondissement, France
The Aquarium du palais de la Porte Dorée is a public aquarium featuring multiple freshwater and saltwater habitats for species from around the world. The building itself is an architectural landmark from the 1930s with distinctive design elements and decorative details throughout.
This aquarium was built in 1931 as part of a major international exhibition designed to showcase colonial territories and cultures. For several decades it held the distinction of being Paris's only aquarium before other facilities opened in the early 2000s.
The aquarium shares its building with a museum dedicated to immigration, creating a space that reflects on human movement and nature together. Visitors can sense how both collections coexist within the same historic structure, offering different perspectives on connection and displacement.
The facility is located in the 12th arrondissement with good public transport connections for visitors arriving from across the city. Visiting in the morning or on weekdays typically offers a less crowded experience for seeing the animals.
At the heart of the facility stands a large central tank designed to recreate an African landscape, complete with crocodiles and specialized aquatic zones. This distinctive feature is rarely mentioned by guidebooks despite being one of the most memorable sections for visitors.
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