Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo

What it is

The Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo is the city's aquarium, outside the centre, next to the Rennes expressway. It brings together some 600 species in ten themed zones and two attractions. It is the classic plan for a rainy day or a tide that is of little use, and it works above all with children.

What you see

The route passes through ten spaces: the cold deep seas, the Côte d'Émeraude (the coast you have outside), a sea laboratory, the Mediterranean, an underwater grotto, the tropics, a sunken galleon, the mangrove and tropical fresh waters, a black corridor and the touch pools, where some animals can be touched.

The two attractions are separate from the route:

• Expédition Nautibus: a submarine simulator that "descends" to 300 metres. From age 4; €5.90 as a supplement according to the published rate.
• Virtual reality: a 360° immersion in a virtual ocean. From age 5; €5.90.

For those who want more, the aquarium offers a "keeper for a day" morning with an aquarist (€90 for ages 7 to 11, €120 from age 12) and a 2 h 30 session with rays and sharks.

Hours

It is open every day except Mondays, with hours that change according to the season and some closing periods. Check the calendar on its website before going: the ticket offices close an hour before the aquarium. The aquarium itself recommends avoiding rainy days, when it is busiest, or arriving from 16:00.

Tickets and prices

Prices published on its website in November 2026:

• Dated online ticket (at least 4 days ahead, limited places): €19 adults from age 12, €15 children aged 3 to 11.
• Undated ticket: €20.50 adults, €16.50 children aged 3 to 11.
• Under-3s: free.
• Annual pass: €50 adults and €40 children; gives a 10% discount in the shop and restaurant.
• People with disabilities: €16.50 adults and €13.50 children.

Tickets are valid for a year from purchase and are not exchanged or refunded.

How long

Allow about two hours for an unhurried visit. If you add the Nautibus, virtual reality and a stop at the snack bar, it takes half a day.

Getting there and parking

It is on the avenue du Général Patton. By car, from the D137 expressway, take the direction of Saint-Servan: the aquarium is on the left at the first roundabout. It has a free car park with 500 spaces. Without a car, city bus line 1, direction La Madeleine, leaves from intra-muros and the station and stops at the Aquarium stop; by car it is about fifteen minutes from the station.

Accessibility, children and facilities

The circuit is wheelchair accessible except the underwater grotto and the Nautibus. Wheelchairs and pushchairs are lent out. There is a baby-changing table in the ground-floor toilets and microwaves for heating food: in the snack bar from April to September and next to the shop the rest of the year. Animals are not allowed, except accredited assistance dogs.

With small children it is one of the most rewarding things in Saint-Malo: the route is indoors and ends with the touch pools at the end. If the weather is good, make use of the tide for the Grand Bé or the Bon Secours pool and leave the aquarium for the afternoon.