Just an hours easy drive is La Rochelle and its superb Aquarium; perfect for either a very hot
afternoon to escape the sun or a rainy day. Great even for young ones as most tanks go down to
ground level, so even the tiny ones can see. Does get very busy in high season so again, top tip is
to go early.
We usually make a full day of it, aiming to get to the aquarium as it opens. The children love the
'submarine' (lift) that takes them down to the ocean floor and the glass walkway which surrounds
you with jelly fish.
The aquarium is split into different areas, tropical waters, meditarranean seas etc. There prize
exhibition is the shark tank which is 3 floors depth where you can gaze at these elegant creatures
swimming down to the depths.
afternoon to escape the sun or a rainy day. Great even for young ones as most tanks go down to
ground level, so even the tiny ones can see. Does get very busy in high season so again, top tip is
to go early.
We usually make a full day of it, aiming to get to the aquarium as it opens. The children love the
'submarine' (lift) that takes them down to the ocean floor and the glass walkway which surrounds
you with jelly fish.
The aquarium is split into different areas, tropical waters, meditarranean seas etc. There prize
exhibition is the shark tank which is 3 floors depth where you can gaze at these elegant creatures
swimming down to the depths.
| The Aquarium, La Rochelle A popular day trip from our family friendly gites in the Charente Maritime |
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As usual with children, their favourite bit isn't even a real exhibit, it is the
projection of swimming fish onto a hallway carpet - as you walk 'through
the water' the fish scatter. The boys would happily play there for hours if
we let them, trying to 'catch' the 'fish'
The last exhibit is a tropical jungle where you can see turtles and pirhanas
and also guess the scents of vanilla, petula and other such things found in
the tropics.
As with most places these days, the exit takes you into a large shop where
you can purchase anything from whale keyrings to large cuddly sharks.
There is a nice restaurant but we recommend leaving the aquarium at this
point and making your way into La Rochelle to eat.
projection of swimming fish onto a hallway carpet - as you walk 'through
the water' the fish scatter. The boys would happily play there for hours if
we let them, trying to 'catch' the 'fish'
The last exhibit is a tropical jungle where you can see turtles and pirhanas
and also guess the scents of vanilla, petula and other such things found in
the tropics.
As with most places these days, the exit takes you into a large shop where
you can purchase anything from whale keyrings to large cuddly sharks.
There is a nice restaurant but we recommend leaving the aquarium at this
point and making your way into La Rochelle to eat.
A short walk away is a jetty here you can
catch a boat taxi which will drop you right
outside the best restaurants in La Rochelle.
For a family with young children, we
recommend 'Andrés'. Here you can have a
fantastic seafood meal but they also have a
childrens menu, high chairs and where the
staff, although always busy are good with the
children, giving them a colouring place mat and
some crayons. Its always busy and noise
levels are high, so it won't matter if the kids
make a bit of noise too. With our older boys,
in summer, we'll sit in view of the anchor
outside, so we can enjoy a leisurely lunch and
they can play at pirates on the anchor in
between courses.
catch a boat taxi which will drop you right
outside the best restaurants in La Rochelle.
For a family with young children, we
recommend 'Andrés'. Here you can have a
fantastic seafood meal but they also have a
childrens menu, high chairs and where the
staff, although always busy are good with the
children, giving them a colouring place mat and
some crayons. Its always busy and noise
levels are high, so it won't matter if the kids
make a bit of noise too. With our older boys,
in summer, we'll sit in view of the anchor
outside, so we can enjoy a leisurely lunch and
they can play at pirates on the anchor in
between courses.