Gallery of Lights | Aquarium La Rochelle

Galerie des Lumières - Aquarium La Rochelle

2^nd floor

Aquariums

Species

Marine animals

380

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Locate the theater Gallery of Lights in the Aquarium

Live the enchantment of the oceans

Dive into a new universe, for a magical journey into the deep sea.

There into the darkness, the marine species light up, revealing their bright colored treasures. From the surface to the mysterious abyssal depths, let yourself be carried away by a magical experience and discover the secrets of the light.

Hold your breath, sharpen your senses, the immersion into the Gallery of Lights will fill you with wonder.

Complete darkness: from 1,000 meters below the surface

Abyssal zone: from 2,000 meters below the surface

Pressure in the abyssal zone: 60.000 kPa = 612 kgf/cm²

An innovative space

Understanding light-related phenomena in the ocean: bioluminescence, fluorescence, iridescence... What is its role? Its effects? How do species react? Adapt?

An innovative world, 5 new aquariums, an immersive scenography, suprising species: this new space plunge the visitor into the heart of the depths to discover the mysteries of the light, from the surface to the abyss. HD film, interactive displays and technologies, this great novelty offers an aesthetic, educational and fun experience.

"I have been able to admire the astonishing sight of sparkling spots - sometimes I was blinded by a blue sapphire flash, sometimes by an opalescent yellow topaz - at other times these two rich shades were mixing their magnificent flashes."

Jean-Baptiste Vérany, naturalist.
(19th century)
We know more about the surface of the moon than we do about the depth of our oceans. Today, 95% of the abyssal zone remain unexplored.
Very few terrestrial animals are able to create light (insects, worms…). On the other end, all marine inhabitants have luminescent organisms: bacteria, fish, octopus, shrimp, jellyfish…
While certain species use light they produce to communicate, others use it to camouflage, hunt, escape, defend themselves…