On Wednesday 21st October 2015, 24 years after it first opened, NAUSICAA, the French National Sea Centre in Boulogne sur Mer, welcomed its 15 millionth visitor. It remains the second most popular tourist venue north of Paris, attracting 600,000 visitors every year and continues to play and important role as a driving force in the local tourist industry, as well as one of the main influences on the area’s economic development.
Reaching 15 million visitors confirms the centre remains a popular attraction, with a mixture of constantly changing exhibitions, iconic species on display,such as sharks and sea lions and its tropical lagoon. It also reflects the public’s growing interest in the marine environment. In fact, the Centre has been awarded a mark of 4.5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor.
The commitment shown by NAUSICAA from the outset won it accreditation as a Centre of Excellence from UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in 1999 and member status of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in November 2006.
36,000 animals, giant aquariums, underwater exploration, and the use of high-tech, create an impressive, magical layout ensuring every visit is a dream comes true.Detailed explanations, a specialist media library, films, seasonal exhibitions, talks, educational programmes and entertainment all provide understanding and insight in to the marine world. The Centre’s main mission is to raise public awareness of the need to improve management of the oceans and their resources.
The “Sea Live” platform is a real window on the world, giving visitors information about the oceans in real time through games, entertainment, short programmes, etc. while they enjoy live broadcasts from correspondents throughout the world who describe initiatives that are having a positive effect on our planet.
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