Okay I am always honest so, when looking for places to visit in Paris I really wanted to see the fishes haha. However! After coming across the reviews I was not sure of this place as people said it was not worth the money and from viewing the images I thought it is okay and there was no need for it to cost that much per person. 

However impulses and curiosity take over and hear we are!

Now, I can say this is definitely worth a visit while in Paris. The variety of species, the historical background, the rest room and restaurants, all combine to make it a worthwhile attraction.

History:

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, as well as this place holds many special events held at Cineaqua, and it has a stage with a large tank as a backdrop.

This place was built in 1878 and at that time, was the largest aquarium in Europe.

However this Trocadero Aquarium 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.

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 May of 2006.

You can discover the fish such as carp, sturgeon, roach etc, that inhabit the River Seine, which travels through Paris, through the Burgundy of France.

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.

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.

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 everyone will enjoy. 

Since there are two cinemas, 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.

Therefore, after visiting this place I have learned that this place has SO much to offer. There is a sitting area too near the end which if you sit back and look up and about you will see all types of fish swimming about which I find so soothing and peaceful. You can easily get lost sitting there watching the fish. 

Location:

This aquarium is located within the Jardins du Trocadero which is close to the Palais de Chaillot where there are several museums in Paris, as well as being just across from the Eiffel Tower on the other side of the River Seine, and it is easy to recognise by the blue curved entrance stating Aquarium de Paris.

Cost: 

The normal price for a ticket is €20.50 for an adult as of 2012, 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.

Review:

Aquarium de Paris – Cinéaqua (combining an aquarium and a two-screen cinema) is a wonderful attraction and a key element in the renaissance of the once moribund Trocadéro. Children in particular love the shark tunnel, and the petting pool (bassin de caresses) where you can stroke friendly sturgeon who pop their long funnel noses out of the water. Also interesting (though less theatrical) is the section on the River Seine, showing the sorts of fish who still survive in Paris’ river despite the pollution. 

Many people are easily put off at the admission fee, but you can easily spend a long afternoon here, watching cartoons in the cinemas and observing the sealife. Even very small kids are catered for, with glass walls that touch the floor so that the little ones can see inside without mums and dads picking them up. On Wednesdays and weekends, there are special children’s shows too.

Based in the 16th Arrondissement, if you feel like 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.

Therefore, after visiting this place I have learned that this place has SO much to offer. There is a sitting area too near the end which if you sit back and look up and about you will see all types of fish swimming about which I find so soothing and peaceful. You can easily get lost sitting there watching the fish. 

At 7.59 is when the highlights of this trip begin!