On holiday in the principality of the rock? Come and visit the fabulous oceanographic museum of Monaco!
When you imagine Monaco, you mainly think of its yachts, its Formula 1 Grand Prix, its palaces, its tennis tournament and its luxury cars. Yet, the second smallest state of the planet, after the Vatican, has much more to offer to its visitors. With its thirty-six thousand inhabitants, the Principality is a mythical place, full of history. Built in part on the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco does not lack charm. Spread in the small colourful streets of the historic city, admire the splendour of the Palais des Grimaldi and its breathtaking panorama or relax on the Larvotto beach, there are many things to see and do on this small piece of land, only two square kilometers.
Among them, the Oceanographic Museum is one of the main tourist attractions of Monaco, a must for lovers of marine fauna and flora. Located on the Mediterranean, this exceptional museum, whose motto is "know, love and protect", is home to an aquarium of more than six thousand marine specimens. An indispensable visit, which will delight the whole family.
Ready to dive into the depths of the oceans? Here is the complete guide to visit the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.
History of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
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When in 1885 Prince Albert 1st of Monaco, a great amateur of the marine world, decided to establish a marine biology laboratory, his ambition was to highlight the discoveries of the professor Milnes Edwards on the biodiversity of the oceans. It was only in 1889 that the work of the Oceanographic Museum began. The design of the plans is entrusted to French architect Paul Delefortrie. The museum, located on the rock of Monaco, was finally completed in 1910. It would have taken almost twenty years to build this exceptional building of a hundred meters long, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea more than eighty-five meters high. For the small story, you should know that the museum building was mainly built with stones from the Turbie, a small village in the region. It should also be noted that the first marine species arrived in the museum in 1903, seven years before its official inauguration.
More than a hundred years later, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco attracts close to 6 hundred and fifty thousand visitors per year . A success that, from year to year, does not demente.
What to see and do at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco?
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The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco consists of several spaces, all more interesting and grandiose than others.
The Aquariums
Visiting the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is first to admire the splendid aquariums and the Six thousand species who live there, during a fun and educational visit. Don't miss the shark lagoon. Come and admire the Mediterranean species in the aquariums that are dedicated to them and discover the inhabitants of the tropical seas. You will be finally, without doubt, dazzled by the sumptuous river coral basin.
The Turtle Odyssey
This is a visit that will delight the whole family! In one open sky basin , you will be sensitized to the preservation of one of the most endangered animals of our oceans. An exciting discovery you won't regret!
The museum space
Then take a tour of the museum space to admire an incredible naturalistic, ethnographic and artistic collection. The Oceanography Museum of Monaco has sixty thousand objects, some of which are extremely rare (scaphandres, submarines, boats, research laboratories, etc.). This is one of the most important collections worldwide related to the sea and its exploration.
Room Oceomania offers unusual objects and Monaco will allow you to better understand the commitment of the princière family for the preservation of the oceans. Finally, don’t miss the incredible Whale room and its skeleton of more than eighteen meters long, fully reconstituted. Bluffant!
Exhibitions
As Albert 1e wished, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco offers many exhibitions throughout the year that bring together art and science. Beautiful surprises in perspective!
Activities
Visiting the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is also having the opportunity to participate in many varied and fun activities, which will delight the great and the little.
The touch basin will allow your children from three to twelve years of age to discover marine species by touching it. For the largest, from twelve years old, the museum offers a surprising experience of virtual reality , to approach marine animals without getting wet. A basin also allows to caresss a redhead, an innocuous shark, but still impressive! If you spend several days in Monaco, don’t hesitate to register your child in Monaco Snapper Club a five-day internship, organized during school holidays to answer all questions of the 8-12 years. You can also visit the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco accompanied by a professional guide. A good solution to learn more about this fabulous museum.
Note : Some of these activities are included in the ticket price. For others, additional participation is required. Do not hesitate to contact the museum’s office or website for more information.
The restaurant
To regain strength, direction the roof of the museum and its restaurant with panoramic sea view! And in case of overwhelming heat, relax in its space lounge .
The shop
A gift to offer, a little memory of your day to report? Finish your visit with a visit by the museum shop, labeled “Understanding trade”, proof of eco-responsibility, and a sustainable consumption mode.
How to go to the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco?
Join Monaco
To visit the oceanographic museum of Monaco, you can opt for the bus (bus 100 from Nice, direction Monaco) or car . To reach Monaco, you will also have the opportunity to borrow the train . Monaco is in fact served by many TERs from Nice, Menton, Cannes, Marseille and even Genoa in Italy. By partnering with the SNCF, you can benefit from a special rate.
On site
- Foot : pedestrian access from Place d’Armes, the Avenue de la Porte Neuve or the ramp Major, then the Jardin Saint-Martin.
- By bus : From Monaco, line 1 or 2 direction Le Rocher, go down to the terminus Place Visitation.
- By car : The Oceanographic Museum is located next to the Principal Palace. The fishermen's parking is located under the museum and offers five hundred parking spaces to its visitors.
Schedules and Prices of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
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HORARI
You can visit the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco every day of the week , all year round, except for the weekend of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco which takes place at the end of May as well as of December 25.
- January to March and October to December : 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- April to June and September : 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- July and August 9.30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
RATES
- +19 years : 11 euros (high season) / 14 euros (season) / 16 euros (high season)
- 13 – 18 years old and student : 7 euros (high season) / 10 euros (in season) / 12 euros (in high season)
- 4 – 12 years : 5 euros (in low season) / 7 euros (in season) / 8 euros (in high season)
- Child under 4 : free
- Disability : 7 euros
Note : Know that you can pair your visit with another attraction of Monaco, such as the Principal Palace or the Exotic Garden. Again, the rates are indicated on the museum's website.
BON A LEARN
- To avoid the queue, consider buying your ticket online. Tickets can be presented on any electronic support.
- You can take pictures in the enclosure of the museum. However, make sure not to use flash, not to disturb marine animals.
- With the exception of level -1, the museum is easily accessible to people with reduced mobility and strollers. In addition, a person with reduced mobility does not pay the museum entrance.
- Only blind dogs are accepted in the museum. But your dog can be welcomed to the museum kennel during your visit. This is a friendly initiative!
- For those who would not have the chance to visit the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, know that a virtual visit of the museum is offered on its website.
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