Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo, opened in 1996, is a major tourist site in Brittany, designed by Maurice Chichportiche, already owner of the aquarium of Intra Muros. Located at the entrance of the corsair city, it extends over 4,000 m2 with 2.5 million litres of water, sheltering 10,000 marine animals of 600 species. Its attractions include a 360° ring with sharks, a Breton tactile basin, and the Nautibus, an immersive submarine awarded in 2002.

Acquired in 1999 by the Compagnie des Alpes, then in 2011 by the Looping group, the aquarium evolved with scenographic renovations and attractions like Abyssal Descender (2015), an abyssal exploration simulator. He is also involved in environmental awareness through the association Mer Fragile, created in 2003 with the city of Saint-Malo, organizing coastal clean-ups and educational activities.

With 360,000 annual visitors, it is one of the most frequented sites in Brittany, alongside Océanopolis. Its success rests on an immersive and educational approach, combining spectacle and marine conservation. In 2018, its turnover was EUR 5.5 million, employing an average of 31 employees.

The aquarium has marked local history by replacing the old Dinard aquarium-museum (closed in 1996) and by innovative with unique experiences, such as nights in the shark ring. Its temporary exhibitions, often co-produced with partners such as National Geographic, reinforce its cultural and scientific reach.

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