Shark ring
Stand in the middle of the ring tank as sharks circle.
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Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo
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One of 178 Things to Do in France
In short
On the edge of Saint-Malo, the Grand Aquarium keeps more than 600 marine species, a ring-shaped shark tank and the Nautibus submarine ride. An undated adult ticket is €20.50, children 3 to 11 pay €16.50, and dated online tickets cost less. Typical hours are 10 AM to 7 PM. Allow two to three hours.
The Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo is a large public aquarium on Avenue du Général Patton, on the southern edge of Saint-Malo on the north coast of Brittany, about 4 km from the walled old town. It opened in 1996 and presents sea life from local Breton waters to tropical reefs. It suits families, school-age children and anyone in Saint-Malo on a rainy day.
The 360 degree ring tank and ten themed areas
The ring tank is the best known feature: a 360 degree aquarium where sharks and sea turtles circle visitors standing in the middle. The aquarium divides its route into ten themed areas, from the cold Channel and Atlantic waters to a tropical lagoon. Black-tip reef sharks arrived in May 2023.
Animals on show include piranhas, barracudas, giant Japanese spider crabs, jellyfish and seahorses, and displays on plankton explain the base of the marine food chain. A touch pool holds Breton species and koi carp.
The Nautibus and other rides
The Nautibus is a small submarine-style ride presented as an expedition 300 metres below the surface in search of a lost city. It moves past a tank holding more than 5,000 fish. Other areas include an abyssal descender simulator, an underwater grotto designed as a sensory experience and a virtual reality experience.
For older children and adults, the aquarium sells behind-the-scenes visits with an aquarist and "keeper for a day" sessions, including a two and a half hour version focused on sharks and rays. These have limited places and are booked separately.
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Key information
🐠Type: Large public aquarium
📅Opened: 1996
🦈Highlights: Ring-shaped shark tank and Nautibus submarine ride
🅿️Parking: Free car park of about 500 spaces
💰Currency: Euro (€ EUR)
🕕Time Zone: Central European Time (UTC+1; UTC+2 in summer)
Explore the area
Saint-Malo walled town (Intra-Muros) 4 km
Saint-Malo station 3 km
Dinard 12 km
Cancale 15 km
Mont-Saint-Michel 55 km
✦
Plan your visit to Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo
Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.
Highlights Include:
Tanks
- Ring shark tank
- Tropical lagoon
- Touch pool
Experiences
- Nautibus submarine simulator
Local seas
- Channel and Atlantic marine life
What They Offer
Timed slots
Booking a slot strongly recommended
Restaurant
Restaurant April – September
Parking
Free on-site car park
Visit duration
2–3 hours
Timed entry required No
Nautibus
Take the simulated submarine dive.
Walled town
Walk the ramparts of Saint-Malo afterwards.
Accessibility
Accessible throughout.
Age limits
None.
What to pack
Ticket on your phone, ID for reduced or free entry
What to wear
Comfortable shoes
Not allowed
Touching the works, food and drink in the galleries, flash photography, large bags, selfie sticks
Amenities
Restaurant (seasonal), snack bar, shop, restrooms, free parking; restaurant, snack bar, gift shop. First aquarium in France with the Divertissement Durable sustainable leisure label (March 2024).
Tips for visiting Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo
- Book a time slot online, especially in summer and during school holidays.
- Plan two to three hours to see everything, including the Nautibus.
- Use the free on site car park.
- Check the seasonal schedule on the official website before you go.
- Ask at the Saint-Malo tourist office about discounted tickets.
Driving
Outside the walled town; free car park with about 500 spaces.
Public transportation
Local buses from Saint-Malo station (about 3 km) and the town centre.
Address
The Grand Aquarium is on Avenue du Général Patton in Saint-Malo, outside the walled town. Dinard (12 km), Cancale (15 km) and Mont-Saint-Michel (55 km) are within an easy drive.
Opening Hours
- Monday10:00-19:00
- Tuesday10:00-19:00
- Wednesday10:00-19:00
- Thursday10:00-19:00
- Friday10:00-19:00
- Saturday10:00-19:00
- Sunday10:00-19:00
Last entry: About 1 hour before closing
Open every day of the year; hours change by season.
Typical hours 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, shorter in quiet periods and longer in peak summer.
Special events
Holiday activities in school holidays.
Best times to visit
Morning.
Best days to visit
Weekdays; school holidays bring extra activities and bigger crowds.
Best months to visit
Off-season for fewer crowds.
Admission tickets
Prices and how to get tickets.
Grand Aquarium Saint-Malo: Timed Ticket
Aquarium entry with time slot.
- All aquarium halls
Ticket prices
Undated ticket €20.50 adults (12+), €16.50 children 3–11; dated online ticket (at least four days ahead, limited numbers) €19 / €15; annual pass €50 / €40; Pass Culture accepted (official site, November 2026)
Opening hours
Open now · 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM · Last entry About 1 hour before closing
Visitor policy
Cancellation and prepayment
Tickets are generally non-refundable; check the museum's booking terms.
Children and admission
Under 4s enter free.
Groups
Groups must book in advance with the museum.
Pets
Only assistance dogs are admitted.
Photography
Personal photography without flash is generally allowed in the permanent collection; some temporary exhibitions forbid it.
Bags
Large bags and suitcases must be left in the cloakroom or are refused; bags are checked at the entrance.
Smoking
Not permitted inside the museum.
Accepted payment
Online or on site by card.
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Travelers are asking
Yes, there is a free car park with about 500 spaces.
Booking a time slot is strongly recommended.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answers based on Saint-Malo tourist board information.
Prices & payment
An undated ticket costs €20.50 for adults and €16.50 for children aged 3 to 11 (official site, November 2026). Dated tickets bought online at least four days ahead cost €19 and €15, in limited numbers.
General
A submarine-style ride inside the aquarium, staged as a dive 300 metres down in search of a lost city. It carries visitors past a large tank where more than 5,000 fish live.
A 360 degree aquarium shaped like a ring. Visitors stand in the middle while sharks and sea turtles swim around them, which makes it one of the most popular parts of the visit.
Yes. The annual pass costs €50 for adults and €40 for children and is valid for one year from purchase.
Yes. The aquarium has a restaurant, open seasonally, and a snack bar, plus a gift shop.
Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo is in France. The street address and directions are under How to get there on this page.
Comfortable shoes.
Timing & weather
Every day, with hours that vary by season. Typical opening is 10am to 7pm, with shorter days at quieter times and longer days in peak summer. Check the official calendar for your date.
In 1996. It celebrated its 30th anniversary on 12 June 2026.
Two to three hours covers the ten themed areas, the Nautibus and the simulators.
Getting there
Yes. A free car park with about 500 spaces is on site. The aquarium is outside the walled town, so driving or taking a local bus is the easiest way to get there.
You can reach Grand Aquarium de Saint-Malo by public transport or by car. Both routes are described under How to get there on this page.
Families & accessibility
The aquarium runs behind-the-scenes visits with an aquarist and "keeper for a day" sessions, including a two and a half hour shark and ray session. Places are limited and booked separately.
The child rate applies from age 3 to 11; younger children are not charged on the official price list.
Accessible throughout.