L’Aquarium de Paris or Cineaqua Aquarium in Paris
L’Aquarium de Paris or Cineaqua is an aquarium in Paris, but this is not just any ordinary aquarium, as there are more than 10,000 different specimens displayed within 43 different tanks, plus there are many special events held at Cineaqua, that even has a stage with a large tank as a backdrop.
A bit of history on the Cineaqua
Originally there was an aquarium called the Trocadero Aquarium that was built for the Universelle Exposition or World Fair in 1878 and at the time it was built, it was the largest aquarium in Europe.
But the Trocadero Aquarium finally closed its doors in 1985, as there was much that needed to be sorted out, in order to bring it back up to speed in terms of public safety and a better visitor experience.
So after major renovations and a change of name to L’Aquarium de Paris - Cineaqua, this fabulous new aquarium that also has cinemas and a stage for shows, was re-opened to the public in the May of 2006.
About L’Aquarium de Paris - Cineaqua Aquarium
At the Paris aquarium, which is usually just known as Cineaqua, you can discover over 10,000 fish and invertebrates that also includes 25 sharks of four different species, that are on display in 43 different tanks, including the largest water tank in France that holds a amazing 3 million litres of water, making this is an ideal place for a day out with the family when you are on holiday in Paris.
To start with, you can discover the fish such as carp, sturgeon, roach etc, that inhabit the River Seine, which travels through Paris, through the Burgundy region of France and finally to the estuary at Le Havre within the Haute-Normandie region and into the English Channel.
Next there is a section dedicated to the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel, which France borders on and is a very important fishing area for all of Europe, and it is within these tanks that you can discover many different species and even fish that you would find on your dinner plate such as lobster or mackerel.
Another section lets you explore coral and a coral reef from Tahiti that is an important part of the ecosystem, and here you will find numerous tropical fish, anemones and jellyfish, etc. Then you can experience the water world from New Caledonia with amazing fish like the triggerfish, balloon fish and many more unusual species you may never get to see in your lifetime.
You can also discover the unusual and brightly coloured fish from the Caribbean such as the Butterfly fish and yet another section is dedicated to the Guyana River with tropical fresh water fish like Piranha and Angelfish and many, many more species you can admire like seahorses, clownfish, etc.
However, one of the main highlights for many is the shark tank that is unmatched in the country of France. And being 9.60 metres high and 33 metres wide, holding 3 million litres of water, it contains four species of sharks, which are nurse sharks, black tips, gray and zebras, and it is also home to more tropical fish than you could ever imagine, yet alone try to count!
You can even go through a transparent tunnel from one section to another and see the fish along with the sharks swimming all around and above you, for an even more unique experience.
And so with over 10,000 different specimens and around 450 different species of fish and invertebrates including a petting tank, where you are allowed to touch fish such as goldfish and koi carp plus feed them, this is a fantastic aquarium in Paris that the whole family will love.
Events at Cineaqua Aquarium
There are numerous different events organised at L’Aquarium de Paris - Cineaqua Aquarium and these include educational speeches that are conducted every day, for example, you could find out more about the clown fish or seahorses, the coral reef of Tahiti, or the sharks, and these talks are between 15 and 30 minutes and are conducted at set times each day.
Plus there is of course the fish feeding, which children love, and this is also held at set times, four times per day, but we did say that there was even more to this place than just being another aquarium.
And in fact there are two cinemas and the first cinema is located at the beginning of the tour offering National Geographic programming and the documentaries from the National geographic are around 50 minutes long and different ones are shown at different times of the day every day.
There are also short films of anything between 2 and 6 minutes that are on a variety of different topics, which have been produced by Cineaqua L'Aquarium de Paris in the first cinema, yet the 2nd cinema is a family room and offers movies and cartoons for the whole family, no matter what their age.
The L’Aquarium de Paris - Cineaqua Aquarium is also forever changing and as you are wandering around there are new paintings and photographs from different artists displayed on the walls every month.
Plus a new event organised at Cineaqua means that you can now also discover the aquarium of an evening on set days known as a discovery night, where you can experience the magic of the Paris aquarium after normal hours with a glass of champagne, although this is something that does have to be booked in advance.
There are also many other events organised at L’aquarium de Paris - Cineaqua such as within the childrens theatre where there are shows designed specifically for young children like a puppet show for those aged between 3 and 6 years of age.
Alternatively you could enjoy one of the main family shows with one of the large tanks as a backdrop to the stage and this could be something like a pirate show. But there are also workshops, a treasure hunt and other activities organised for children as well as families, and of course these are constantly changing, so you may wish to contact Cineaqua for more information.
There is also a shop for souvenirs, books and mementos, plus there is the Zen Cafe where you can enjoy a snack or the special Sunday Brunch, where you can have something to eat or drink whilst watching the fish in one of the large tanks.
Access to L’Aquarium de Paris - Cineaqua Aquarium
This aquarium is located within the Jardins du Trocadero close to the Palais de Chaillot where there are several museums in Paris, yet also just across from the Eiffel tower on the other side of the River Seine, it is easily recognised by the blue curved entrance stating Aquarium de Paris.
Aquarium de Paris or Cineaqua is open every day of the year from 10am through to 7pm, except for Bastille Day on 14th July and a couple of other major National French Holidays, but last entry is no less than one hour prior to closing.
The normal price for a ticket is €20.50 for an adult as of 2018, those aged from 13 to 17 are a cost of €16, children aged 3 to 12 are a cost of €13 and children under the age of 3 are free.
For group visits you do need to reserve in advance by telephone on +33 (0) 1 40 69 23 56 and if you want to visit L’Aquarium de Paris - Cineaqua on one of their discovery nights, which are from 7pm through to 10pm, then you would again need to book prior, which can be done on their website or by telephone and group visits can be catered for between 7 and 19 people or 20 plus with different discounts applicable.
The good thing is that the whole of Cineaqua is accessible to the disabled and those with special needs such as pushchairs etc, via its elevators and the gently sloping tour circuit, plus you can take photos or videos, however, we would like to point out that any use of a flash is not allowed.
In addition to this, if you wanted to have a picnic within the Jardins du Trocadero Gardens rather than eating in the Zen Cafe, then providing you get your hand stamped, you can come and go as you please throughout the day.
Different workshops are also organised and for a special occasion such as a birthday, parties can also be organised, and you would need to contact Cineaqua directly to find out more about costs and what is available.
Now when it come to getting to this aquarium in Paris, being located in the 16th Arrondissement of Paris within the Trocadero Gardens, there are numerous means of public transport in Paris that will get you here easily, especially with its proximity to the Eiffel Tower, which is of course the most famous landmark in Paris.
You will find that the nearest Metro station is the Trocadero stop at the Place du Trocadero serving ines 6 and 9, which is located by the Palais de Chaillot, or alternatively you have the Iena stop serving Line 9 where you would walk from here down the Avenue d'Iena to the Jardins du Trocadero.
However, on the opposite bank there is also an RER train station called the Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel stop for the RER C Line. Another option for reaching this area could be the Batobus water bus that goes up and down the River Seine and has a stop at the Eiffel Tower.
There are also the buses and the Bus Lines 22, 30, 32, 63, 72 and 82 along with the Noctilien Night Bus Service via line N53 that will also get you within walking distance of this popular tourist attraction in Paris.
