COMING TO THE AQUARIUM
Timetable and Access
The Aquarium is open every day of the year, continuously.
From Monday, July 6 to Sunday, July 19, the Aquarium will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m (last admission at 9:30 p.m.).
From Monday, July 20 to Thursday, August 23, the Aquarium will be open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (last admission at 9:30 p.m.).
From Friday, August 24 to Friday, August 28, the Aquarium will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (last admission at 9:30 p.m.).
To avoid waiting at the ticket office, purchase your tickets now on our website.
High Attendance
During school holidays and weekends, visitor numbers can be high and some time slots may be fully booked. Purchasing a timed-entry ticket online through our website is strongly recommended, as it is the only way to guarantee admission on your preferred date and at your chosen time.
We recommend that visitors arrive when the Aquarium opens or later in the afternoon, when attendance tends to be lower, for a more comfortable and enjoyable visit.
quai Louis Prunier, 17000 La Rochelle, France
Getting to the Aquarium La Rochelle
BY BIKE
With over 230 km of cycle paths and lanes, cycling is the best way to visit La Rochelle and the Aquarium. Bike racks are available between the Aquarium and the Mercure hotel, and 6 Yélo stations are accessible 24/7 nearby.
More information
Awarded the Accueil Vélo label, the Aquarium is ideally located close to two major national cycle routes: La Vélodyssée and La Vélo Francette.
This national label guarantees a high-quality welcome and services specially designed for touring cyclists along cycling routes.
Learn more about La Vélodyssée
Learn more about La Vélo Francette
BY CAR
2h from Bordeaux
A10 towards Paris, then near Saintes. Take the A837 motorway towards La Rochelle.
1h30 from Nantes
A83 towards Bordeaux then exit 7 towards Ste Hermine La Rochelle. Follow signs for La Rochelle on the D137 and then the N137.
1h30 from Poitiers and 5h from Paris
A10 towards Bordeaux Niort La Rochelle. Take exit 33 towards Niort La Rochelle, then the N248 to La Rochelle.
BY TRAIN
La Rochelle SNCF railway station, 5 minutes walk from the Aquarium.
(Paris – La Rochelle TGV lines)
With Intercités and TER :
From Bordeaux, several round trips per day. The journey time for direct trains is about 2h05.
BY BUS
Illico Lines 3 and 4 “Aquarium” stop
See rates
From Île de Ré, Royan, Rochefort, Île d’Oléron or Royan.
Several regional bus routes also serve the La Rochelle bus station, located behind the SNCF train station (10 min. walk from the Aquarium).
More information
BY BOAT
Crossing the Old Port
(from “Médiathèque” to “Cours des Dames”) with the passeur boat
See rates
There is also a sea link between the Ile de Ré (Saint-Martin de Ré) and La Rochelle, and between the Ile d’Oléron (Boyardville) and La Rochelle.
More information on the link from Ile de Ré
More information on the link from the Ile d’Oléron
Parking Information
During school holidays, parking around Aquarium La Rochelle can sometimes be difficult. Visitors are advised to arrive 30 minutes before the entry time indicated on their tickets.
Several park-and-ride facilities located on the outskirts of the city centre provide convenient parking options. From there, visitors can complete their journey to the city centre by bus or bicycle, avoiding traffic congestion and saving time when travelling to the Aquarium, particularly during school holiday periods.
ENCAN
Encan 1 : 416 spaces including 6 PRM spaces. Height gauge: 2 metres
Encan 2 : 140 including 3 PRM spaces. Height gauge: 2 metres
Vieux-Port Sud
Underground car park with electric car charging point
Number of spaces: 609 spaces
Height gauge: 2 metres
Car park accessible to people with reduced mobility (PRM)
Les Salines and Jean Moulin
Jean Moulin local car park : 460 spaces including 10 PRM - 10 minutes' walk from the Aquarium.
Les Salines local car park : 1005 spaces - 13 minutes' walk from the Aquarium.
From the Île de Ré :
P+R Les Greffières - 300 spaces including 8 PRM.
Served by the Illico 3 line (Aquarium stop) every 10 minutes from Monday to Friday and every 15 minutes on Saturdays.
From Paris, Nantes or Niort :
P+R Beaulieu - 130 spaces including 5 PRM.
Served by the Illico 4 line (Aquarium stop) every 15 minutes from Monday to Saturday.
From Bordeaux :
P+R Simone Veil – 130 spaces including 4 PRM. Served by the Illico 3 line (Aquarium stop) every 10 minutes from Monday to Saturday.
More informationSpecial areas have been allocated to make it easier for visitors in motorhomes to get around. Easily accessible from the ring road, the Port-Neuf automated service area welcomes motor caravans all year round.
Port-Neuf service area :
Number of spaces: 171 spaces, including 20 XL spaces.
Facilities :
- Water
- Drainage areas
- Free Wi-Fi
- Automated payment by credit card at terminals
- Entry/exit possible 24 hours a day
Address: 6 Boulevard Aristide Rondeau, 17000 La Rochelle
