What Nausicaá does

Nausicaá, legally NAUSICAÁ Centre National de la Mer (SIRET 378 074 744 00020), is a privately operated public aquarium and marine conservation center headquartered on Boulevard Sainte-Beuve in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, founded in 1991. The company operates what it positions as Europe's largest public aquarium, a 10,000m² facility housing 58,000+ animals representing 1,000+ marine species. Its core offering consists of three immersive visitor routes: 'Journey on the High Seas' featuring the largest aquarium tank in Europe (reproducing Malpelo Island, Colombia, with 40+ pelagic species), 'In the Eye of the Climate' (climate-change education), and 'Mankind and Shores' (North Sea, Mediterranean, Tropics, California ecosystems, 160+ species). Underlying infrastructure includes large-scale aquarium life-support systems and digital visitor engagement platforms; the technology profile is operational/husbandry-led rather than software-led.

Nausicaá generates revenue through a diversified mix: ticket sales (€30 adult, €23 child) via online, on-site box office, and tour-operator resellers; an annual pass at €50 providing unlimited visits and activity discounts; on-site retail and dining (Calypso Délices restaurant, souvenir shop); paid guided experiences including shark tours (€10.40–€13.60) and behind-the-scenes tours (€130–€160); and dedicated group bookings for schools and corporate clients. Annual passes and group programs introduce a subscription and contracted-volume layer on top of transactional ticket revenue. Public-sector funding from Région Hauts-de-France, FEDER, Département du Pas-de-Calais, and Communauté d'Agglomération du Boulonnais supplements commercial revenue.

The center serves individual visitors, families, school groups, corporate clients, and tour operators across Europe, with a multilingual site (FR/EN/NL/DE). It participates in European conservation programmes (EAZA, EEP for African penguins, EAZA Ex Situ Programme for Banggai cardinalfish), supports field conservation through SANCCOB in South Africa, and partners with IFREMER, UNESCO IOC, and Mr.Goodfish/MSC on marine science and sustainable-seafood initiatives. Operational governance is led by Directeur Général Christophe Sirugue, with specialized oversight from a Director of Aquariology. The organization operates without disclosed parent, subsidiaries, or external equity funding.

Name

Nausicaá

Legal name

NAUSICAÁ Centre National de la Mer

Website

https://nausicaa.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Nausicaá is Europe's largest public aquarium, headquartered in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. It houses 58,000+ animals across three immersive visitor routes and earns revenue from ticket sales, €50 annual passes, retail, dining, and group bookings while serving families, schools, and tourists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Aquarium and Marine Conservation Center

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Museums (712110)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Wildlife Sanctuaries & Protected Seascape Visitor Operations (Reef/Marine Parks) (THAAAFAJ), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Public aquarium
• Marine conservation center
• Ocean education programs
• Marine wildlife exhibits
• Immersive visitor experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulogne-sur-mer

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ticket sales: Entry tickets to the aquarium sold at box office, online, and through resellers. Standard adult tickets at €30, child tickets at €23, with various add-on experiences available.
2. Annual passes: Subscription-based annual membership offering unlimited access and discounts on activities
3. On-site retail and dining: Souvenir shop, Calypso Délices restaurant, and catering services within the facility
4. Guided tours and activities: Fee-based experiences including shark tours, behind-the-scenes tours, and animal encounters
5. Group bookings: Educational and corporate group visits with dedicated services and pricing

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Nausicaá operates Europe's largest public aquarium in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, housing over 58,000 animals representing more than 1,000 marine species. It sells admission tickets and annual passes for three immersive visitor routes (Journey on the High Seas, In the Eye of the Climate, Mankind and Shores), along with paid guided tours, dining, souvenirs, and educational programs. The center combines a leisure destination with marine conservation, breeding programmes, and ocean awareness initiatives.

Product overview

Nausicaá is Europe's largest aquarium center, located in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. The core offering consists of three immersive visitor routes: Journey on the High Seas (featuring the largest aquarium in Europe), In the Eye of the Climate (climate change education), and Mankind and Shores (coastal ecosystems with 160+ species). The center houses over 58,000 animals representing diverse marine species. Additional paid offerings include guided tours (Sharks tour, Behind-the-Scenes), audio guides, and annual passes. Dining is provided through Calypso Délices restaurant and a souvenir shop. Educational services include the Blue Academy for school programs. The center also publishes The Ocean Magazine and operates conservation programs through its endowment fund, supporting African penguin breeding (EEP) and field conservation partnerships with SANCCOB.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Journey on the High Seas Main visitor route featuring the largest aquarium in Europe, reproducing the ecosystem of Malpelo Island off the coast of Colombia with over 40 species of pelagic fish. Included with standard admission.
• In the Eye of the Climate Immersive visitor route exploring climate change through exhibits featuring African penguins, jellyfish, and a teleportation module experience. Included with standard admission.
• Mankind and Shores Visitor route showcasing diverse coastal ecosystems from the North Sea, Mediterranean, Tropics, and California coast, featuring over 160 species. Included with standard admission.
• Behind-the-Scenes Tour Fee-based guided tour for groups of up to 20 people (ages 8+) exploring the technical and technological aspects of the aquarium facilities.
• Guided Tour: The Sharks Specialized paid guided tour focused on sharks, covering shark species, behavior, and conservation. Adults €10.40, children €10.40, subscribers €8.40.
• Nausicaá Annual Pass Annual membership offering unlimited access to the aquarium and discounts on paid activities and tours, priced at €50 per year.
• Calypso Délices On-site restaurant and catering service offering meals and refreshments to visitors at the aquarium.
• Nausicaá Souvenir Shop On-site retail shop offering marine-themed merchandise, gifts, and educational materials to visitors.
• Educational Programs (Blue Academy) School visit programs and educational workshops tailored for pupils of all ages, including the Blue Academy workshop space.
• Audio Guide Self-guided audio tour enabling visitors to explore the exhibits at their own pace with interpretive commentary.
• The Ocean Magazine Online publication featuring articles about ocean conservation, marine life, and Nausicaá's activities, supporting content marketing and visitor education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 baby penguins born since 2006 through European conservation programmes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNausicaá is a member of EAZA, participating in European breeding programmes (EEP) for endangered species including African penguins and Banggai cardinalfish. The partnership facilitates species conservation and knowledge sharing among European zoos and aquariums.
• SANCCOB (South African Association for Marine Birds)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNausicaá supports SANCCOB, a South African association that collects, cares for, and rehabilitates seabirds that have been contaminated with oil, injured, ill, or orphaned. This partnership supports African penguin conservation in the wild.
• IFREMER (Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer)strategicTechnology or IntegrationIFREMER is a French research institute focused on marine science and exploitation. Nausicaá partners with IFREMER for scientific research and marine exploration initiatives.
• Mr.GoodfishminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMr.Goodfish is a sustainable seafood consumption initiative. Nausicaá collaborates on awareness-raising activities about responsible fishing and seafood consumption through quizzes and educational programmes.
• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSC is an international non-profit organization promoting sustainable fisheries. Partnered with Mr.Goodfish and Nausicaá on the 'Which fish for tomorrow?' quiz about responsible seafood consumption.
• FROM NORDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProducer organisation partnering with Mr.Goodfish and Nausicaá on sustainable fishing awareness initiatives.
• Le ParisienminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational French newspaper providing media partnership coverage for Nausicaá events and initiatives.
• La Voix du NordminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional newspaper serving as media partner for Nausicaá coverage in the Hauts-de-France region.
• Science&Vie TVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScience television channel as media partner providing content collaboration and coverage of Nausicaá scientific initiatives.
• UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic CommissionstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO IOC partnership supporting ocean awareness and conservation education initiatives.
• Communauté d'Agglomération du BoulonnaisstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government authority of Boulogne-sur-Mer region supporting Nausicaá's regional development and tourism initiatives.
• Département du Pas-de-CalaisstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional department supporting Nausicaá through regional development and tourism funding.
• Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie Littoral Hauts-de-FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of commerce supporting regional business development and tourism industry collaboration.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Aquarium de Paris: Major public aquarium in Paris targeting similar tourist, family, and school audiences. Operates with comparable ticketing and group booking model, though smaller in scale than Nausicaá.
• Pairi Daiza: Large Belgian zoo and botanical park including significant aquarium exhibits. Closest geographic European peer with similar combination of large-scale animal displays, conservation mission, premium destination positioning, and strong visitor attendance.
• Oceanário de Lisboa: Public aquarium in Lisbon and one of Europe's premier indoor aquariums. Comparable as a single-site, large-scale public aquarium with strong conservation messaging and tourist destination positioning.
• Oceanogràfic (City of Arts and Sciences): Largest aquarium in Europe by some measures, located in Valencia, Spain. Operates as the marine component of a larger cultural complex with similar scale, ticket-based visitor model, and conservation/education mission directly comparable to Nausicaá.
• Acquario di Genova: One of the largest aquariums in Europe, located in Genoa, Italy. Operates with similar visitor experience, educational programming, and Mediterranean/European tourist audience directly comparable to Nausicaá's positioning.
• Blue Planet (National Aquarium of Denmark): Modern Northern European public aquarium near Copenhagen with comparable scale, immersive exhibit design, and conservation/education mission. Strong model peer for design and operational benchmarking within European public aquarium category.
• Oceanopolis: Brest-based public aquarium and ocean discovery park operated as a similar non-profit/public-attraction model. Closest direct French peer with comparable visitor-facing aquarium experiences, educational mission, and public funding structure.

Broad incumbents

• SEA LIFE (Merlin Entertainments): Global chain of aquariums operated by Merlin Entertainments with multiple European locations. Competes for European aquarium visitor demand through a portfolio/chain model rather than single destination, with broader commercial entertainment positioning.
• Georgia Aquarium: World's largest aquarium by volume, located in Atlanta. Comparable as a destination-tier, large-scale public aquarium combining entertainment, education, and conservation programming with premium ticketing model.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: Iconic US aquarium and global benchmark for conservation-focused public aquariums with strong education, research, and seafood sustainability programs (similar to Mr.Goodfish partnership). Operates at comparable scale and mission scope though in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PlaneteNAUSICAA
• Facebookfacebook.com/NausicaaCNM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nausicaa-centre-national-de-la-mer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nausicaá