Post by kerouac2 on Jun 30, 2017 19:12:31 GMT
The Aquarium of La Rochelle is the most visited aquarium in France. I like aquariums, so I absolutely wanted to see it. In case you are wondering here are the top ten: 1. La Rochelle 2. Oceanographic Museum of Monaco (this counts as France because it would be kind of stupid to put it in the category of the most visited aquarium of Monaco) 3. Nausicaa in Boulogne sur Mer 4. Océanopolis in Brest 5. Mare-Nostrum in Montpellier 6. Aquarium of Saint Malo 7. Sea Life near Disneyland Paris 8. Océanarium in Le Croisic 9. Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg 10. Aquarium du Grand Lyon near Lyon. I have been to 1-2-3-9 but I plan to see some of the others. Jacques Cousteau was in total opposition to aquariums and opened a major oceanographic centre in Paris about 25 years ago which apparently informed the public about everything you'd ever want to know about ocean life but which was totally "dry" -- not a single fish tank. It was no surprise when it went out of business. It is now the location of the largest cinema multiplex in France. I really understand Cousteau's concern about the big fish. It is obvious that sharks have no business in a fish tank, nor probably the big rays or marine turtles. But the smaller fish probably think that it is paradise with no predators in the same tank and food that falls from heaven at regular intervals. However, just like modern zoos, these places have a role in preserving endangered species and presenting them to the world. Not to mention the fact that if ever we were to eat the fish in these aquariums, at least they would not be contaminated with plastic or pesticides like the fish living free.
The aquarium is in a quite adequate building between the train station and the old port of La Rochelle.
The entrance is amusing because one enters a sort of big industrial elevator which shakes and rumbles as it appears to sink into the ocean while actually it doesn't go anywhere. You exit into a lovely jellyfish tunnel.
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One of the first tanks had fascinating eel eggs on the verge of hatching.
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on to the major fish tanks...
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Flat flouder style fish that blend into the sand are among my favourites. Their skills really impress me.
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Ewww... eel type creatures!
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I like the fact that aquariums are always dark.
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