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The zebra shark is harmless and can be approached very closely. It is often confused with the leopard shark, but its physical characteristics have inspired the creation of many technological innovations.

The first zebra sharks were born at Nausicaá in 2020.

A shark would be a dentist's worst enemy !

The image of a voracious shark constantly on the lookout for food persists in the collective imagination. But what do sharks really eat?

The sandbar shark is a species that migrates seasonally and swims continuously to acquire sufficient oxygen. It is endangered because it is one of the most consumed sharks in the world.

The whale shark is one of the impressive figures that you will be able to discover in the Grand Large experience.
A giant among fish, the whale shark is the symbol of the power of marine life and also of its vulnerability and of the need to preserve the species of the high seas through conservation initiatives.

A first in Europe: leopard sharks born at the end of 2021.

This shark is also known as the “walking shark” from the way it uses its fins. It can be recognised by the large black spot behind its pectoral fins and the little black dots all over its body.

The leopard shark lives on the west coast of the American continent. It lives among giant algae, the kelp forests.

Spotted and equipped with poisonous spines on his dorsal fins, it is however harmless to humans. Rather inactive and mainly coming to life at night, the horn shark can be observed in the Californian tank.

Baby epaulette sharks born at Nausicaá.

The small spotted catshark, as its name suggests, is both small and spotted. It spends its days resting on sandbanks. It can be found in the touch tank in the Mankind and Shores exhibition.

The Atlantic nurse shark has an extremely acute sense of smell which enables it to find its prey hidden in the seabed. It gets its name from the way it feeds by suction, reminiscent of babies feeding.

A family experience that will enthral young and old alike and make your visit to Nausicaá an unforgettable experience.

At the Blue Society Forum, which can be reached from the Nausicaá lobby

The starry smoothhound is a very supple, grey shark with light spots on its back and is sometimes found in association with other sharks.

Preserving biodiversity is the focus of Nausicaá's mission.

Enjoy a personalised experience at Nausicaá

The guitarfish is a cross between a ray and a shark. It likes to burrow into the sea floor and cover itself with sand.

Trevallies are often found in the wake of sharks or rays.

Baby starry smoothhounds were born at Nausicaá on the 8th of May 2021.

There are several hundred births every year at Nausicaá!

Get your pencils ready! What are you going to reveal? A shark? A turtle? To find out, join the dots in numerical order.

Off the coast, beyond the territorial waters, lies the high seas.

Since 2009, more than 50 blackchin guitarfish have been born here.

The undulate ray is caught accidentally or intentionally by commercial fisheries using trawls, gillnets and linear gear.

Live a unique experience around the biggest aquarium in Europe which reproduces Malpelo Island off the coast of Colombia.

Working as a handler in the largest aquarium in Europe.

For the reproduction of marine species

A first for the centre in 2022!

The Western wobbegong spends most of its time resting on the sea floor. Its flat body provides camouflage against the seabed.

In the ocean, some species are cleaners, and offer their services to their neighbours.

Which animal do you think it is?

Meet the giants of the High Seas.

Situated on the shores of the Channel, Boulogne-sur-Mer has a marked oceanic climate.

The IUCN status, which ranges from "least concern" to "extinct in the wild", defines the conservation status of an animal or plant species.

Preserving species in their natural habitat

The Atlantic lookdown lives in groups and has the particularity of playing with the light reflected on its silvery body so that it can hide from its predators.

This annual season pass gives you unlimited access to Europe’s largest aquarium, plus a host of exclusive benefits for 365 days!

The sunfish is one of the impressive figures that you will be able to discover in the Grand Large experience. The biggest bony fish in the world, it represents life on the high seas, both on the surface of the oceans and in their depths.

You're wondering what to do in Boulogne-sur-Mer besides visiting Nausicaá? This town boasts some lovely architecture and many historical monuments.

This page contains the various topics covered by Nausicaá's FAQs

Check out the full schedule of our festive Christmas events from the 1st of December to the 7th of January.

Spend an exceptional hour witnessing what goes on behind the scenes every day between the aquariological handlers and the fish of the High Seas.

This year, Nausicaá is offering its Escales (Stopovers) season, a host of events to be enjoyed with family and friends

Take a moment to watch the divers as they reveal their secrets and share their details from the centre of the stage!

Area n°6 on the "Mankind and Shores" tour

The giant grouper is the largest bony fish found in reefs. Its backbones gradually increase in size towards the tail.

A series of activities to discover the link between Mankind and the Sea.

You're all set for a thrilling day out with your group, discovering spectacular animals in Nausicaá's aquariums and a fantastic Dragon of Calais.

Come and contemplate on the magic of the largest tank in Europe

Climate change is real and is experienced every day: as you move through the exhibition, you will discover this phenomenon at its heart.

Area n° 13 on the "Mankind and Shores" tour

For the first time on the Opal Coast, come and enjoy an open-air screening of films, documentaries and cartoons for little ones.

A fun-packed programme full of discovery for young and old alike! Visit to Europe's largest aquarium and an introduction to sand yachting.

Unlimited access to the ocean for 1 year from only €50/person !

Depending on whether they live in open water or on the bottom, fish in the water column have a morphology adapted to their living environment.

If you don't know what to do on 8th May (VE day), if you're looking for an activity that is both fun and educational, a visit to Nausicaá is ideal.

A team of 30 people to look after Nausicaá’s 58,000 animals.

What inspires the invention of flexible microelectrodes or the ultra-resistant adhesives for industry? The observation of marine animals!

Nausicaá’s Blue Bar opens on the 30th of June for its third season and will host an exceptional summer programme: “Summer stopovers”.

Day-to-day care for the African penguins

48 hours to enjoy a break in “Le Boulonnais Côte d’Opale”

More than 20 births since 2009.

Find out more about what lies beneath the surface, all the way down to the farthest depths of the ocean.

A penguin and an undulate ray have just been born at the Centre national de la Mer

Hauts-de-France region, which includes Nord-Pas-de-Calais and the departements of the former Picardie region is a region of France steeped in history.

At the time of All Saints' there are two weeks of holidays for kids and teenagers, middle-school and high-school students.

Consult our recommendations and services to help you organise your day here

The rise in ocean temperature and the melting of ice is causing the average sea level to rise. How high will the sea level rise in France in 2040?