Océanopolis

Océanopolis is a large oceanographic museum and aquarium at the Moulin Blanc marina, east of the city centre, and it is genuinely excellent. Three large pavilions cover tropical, polar, and temperate ocean environments, and the quality of the displays — both the living aquarium sections and the scientific exhibits — is well above average for this type of institution.

The tropical pavilion includes a coral reef ecosystem with sharks, rays, and several hundred tropical species. The polar pavilion has penguins and recreates Antarctic research station conditions. The temperate pavilion focuses on the Atlantic coast waters around Brittany. Plan at least three hours; the complex is large and the queues at the big exhibits can be long in summer. It is located 3 kilometres east of the city centre and is best reached by bus or taxi.

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A story
Océanopolis houses one of Europe's largest shark tanks, but its most unusual exhibit is a working research laboratory where visitors can watch marine scientists conducting actual experiments. The museum collaborates with the nearby Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer (Ifremer) and houses genuine research programmes alongside its public displays — making it as much a working institution as a visitor attraction.

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