Oceanographic Museum
Ocean explorations of Prince Albert I and aquarium.
Sovereign Prince, scholar and explorer, Albert I of Monaco, devoted his life to the Principality forces as well as scientific investigation. This museum showcases his passion.
Built on the side of the mythical Rock of Monaco, the Oceanographic Museum has been watching over the oceans for over a century. Founded by the Prince Albert I, great grandfather of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, it was designed as a Palace entirely dedicated to Art and Science.
Albert II was fascinated by anthropology and human palaeontology, oceanography is finally caught his interest. He built the Oceanographic Institute in 1906 to promote the development of oceanography and make accessible the results of scientific campaigns, including his own.
This museum also houses an aquarium, with over 6,000 species of fish, as well as the shark lagoon, a giant aquarium with sharks, the turtle island on the museum's panoramic terrace and even a tank where you can stroke a sea star, feel a sea urchin or touch a baby shark.
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Directions
Walking
Access from Place d'Armes via Avenue de la Porte Neuve, or the Rampe Major then the Jardin Saint-Martin.
Access via Fort Antoine from Port Hercule or by the lifts from Les Pêcheurs car park.
By Bus
Take bus numbers 1 or 2 in the direction of Monaco Ville and get off at the terminal, Place de la Visitation.
When to come
The Museum is open every day (Except for the week-end of the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the 25th December)
January to March: 10:00 to 18:00
April to June: 10:00 to 19:00
July & August: 09:30 to 20:00
September: 10:00 to 19:00
October to December: 10:00 to 18:00
How to get passes
Tickets can be bought on site, and cost depends on the time of year. They range from 11€ and 16€ for adults, 7€ and 12€ for children 13 to 18 and 5€ to 8€ for children 4 to 12 years old. There are also discounts for students.
