There are plenty of places to visit in Paris, especially Museums. But, frankly speaking, the kid-friendly activities are not that many. Furthermore, most of them are only interesting for kids. Aquarium de Paris is a rare activity that suits everyone: kids, parents, couples... it brings you to a fascinating journey into sealife.
Located in the heart of Paris, between the Trocadero and the Seine (in the 16th district, just opposite the Eiffel Tower), the Paris Aquarium is one of the oldest in the world! Originally there was an aquarium called the Trocadero Aquarium that was built for the Exposition Universelle (World Fair) in 1878.
This fascinating underwater world is home to 13,000 fish and invertebrates. It is a fantastic opportunity to discover many things about what is going on under the water both for kids and adults, and to dive into the world of sharks, sea urchins, jellyfish, and various species of fish.
The tanks are divided according to specific marine areas: Seine River, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean sea, Caribbean sea, Pacific Ocean... Inside the Aquarium there is also a Cinema projecting short documentaries about marine life.
There is also a unique Médusarium where you can see more than 2500 jellyfish dancing in the water. There is also a special pool where you can pet Koi Carps.
There are plenty of activities organized in the Aquarium and included in the ticket. During summertime, there are for example Mermaid show twice a day, every day except on Fridays. The mermaid show is a magical spectacle, for kids and adults!
The artists are able to hold their breath for quite a while which creates a perfect illusion. There are also other kinds of activities, such as small theater plays with stories related to the Ocean, pedagogical events for kids... Check the weekly program on their website or ask the daily program at the welcome desk of the Aquarium.
The huge shark tank (33 meters wide) is the largest in the whole of Europe, holding 3 million liters of water!
It presents 38 large sharks of 5 different species behind the glowing tanks: blacktip reef sharks, zebra sharks, sandbar sharks, and even hammerhead sharks.
Paris Aquarium is open every day from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. The visit can last 1,5 to 3h, depending on your speed and if you see some shows. The ticket costs 26€ for adults, 19 for kids (3 to 12 years old). We visited it thanks to the Go City Pass, which helped us save more than 50% on Paris attractions.
Address: 5 Av. Albert de Mun, 75016 Paris
Transportation: Trocadero Station (Metro lines 6 and 9)
The perfect combo for a family time with Go City Pass is a visit to Aquarium de Paris, and then a tea time / Sweet break at Bistro Marbeuf. Located at 21 rue Marbeuf, it is only 15 minutes walk from the Aquarium. With Go City Pass, you can enjoy crepes served with a hot drink and fresh orange juice (weekdays 8 a.m to 11 a.m, 3 p.m to 6 p.m, weekends only in the morning). For more information about our special offer with Go City, click here.
Author and Photos: O'bon Paris Team