Centre de la mer et des eaux

The Centre de la Mer et des Eaux is a museum and aquarium space housed within the Institut Océanographique building in central Paris. The facility features multiple tanks filled with marine species from coral reefs and the Atlantic coast, plus an area dedicated to sea turtles.

The Institut Océanographique building that houses this center was established in 1906 and opened to the public in 1911. The aquarium and museum center within it was set up in 1978 to bring marine education to a wider audience.

The place is named after its focus on marine life and water ecosystems, reflecting how the institution views the sea as central to understanding our world. Visitors walk through spaces designed to show the connection between ocean health and human life in a direct, tangible way.

The center is located in a central part of Paris and is easy to reach on foot from nearby streets and public transport. Keep in mind that opening hours vary by day of the week and there is a midday break, so it is best to plan your visit accordingly.

One of the most striking features is the largest tank holding 4000 liters of seawater, which displays a rich variety of marine animals. The center also maintains a separate terrarium area for sea turtles that have been rescued from private collections.

Location: 5th arrondissement of Paris

Inception: 1978

Official opening: 1978

Website: http://oceano.org/cme2

GPS coordinates: 48.84444,2.34250

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:01