Planet Ocean Montpellier

More than just an aquarium, this interactive marine museum on the French Mediterranean coast features a sea storm and a 3D underwater exploration simulator—the only ones in Europe—as well as France’s largest covered tank, measuring 33 feet (10 meters) high and 59 feet (18 meters) wide. The biggest crowd pleasers in the nine marine ecosystems–which range from Arctic waters to the tropics–are the African penguin, the coral reef, and the colorful tropical fish. The aquarium’s attractions are categorized by age, so visiting families can easily pick and choose which to visit.

• Planet Ocean Montpellier is the perfect family-friendly destination, with suggested itineraries and age-appropriate activities.
• Photography without flash is allowed inside the aquarium.
• There is a restaurant surrounded by a lush tropical forest inside the aquarium complex.
• The aquarium is fully accessible to wheelchair users and other visitors with special needs.

Planet Ocean Montpellier is located outside the city center in south-western Montpellier; it is accessible by tram via line 1 (stop Place de France) or by car via highway A10, exit 29.

The aquarium is one of the main draws in Montpellier and can be crowded on weekends and during the summer holidays. Visit in the morning or late afternoon in summer, or in the quieter spring and fall seasons.

Montpellier sits just inland from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in southern France and is a popular destination for those exploring the French Riviera. In addition to Planet Ocean Montpellier, highlights include the 14th-century Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, Musée Fabre’s collection of paintings, and the trendy Antigone district.