La Cité de la Mer
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersCherbourg-en-Cotentin, France
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
La Cité de la Mer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- La Cité de la Mer
- Legal name
- La Cité de la Mer
- Website
- https://citedelamer.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
La Cité de la Mer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Museum and Public Aquarium
- NAICS
- Museums (712110), Historical Sites (71212), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- UNESCO & Protected Landmark Sites (THAJACAI), Natural History Museums (THAJADAC)
Keywords
Where La Cité de la Mer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
La Cité de la Mer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Visit Tickets: Standard admission tickets for individual visitors providing access to all permanent exhibition spaces including Le Redoutable, Ocean of the Future, Titanic exhibition, and other spaces. Revenue from walk-in visitors and advance online bookings.
- Group and School Bookings: Specialized group packages for adult groups (20+ persons), school groups, and youth organizations with discounted per-person rates and optional add-ons like guided tours, workshops, and submarine encounters.
- On-site Dining: Restaurant 'Le Quai des Mers' offering seafood and regional cuisine, plus snack/bar 'Le Ruban Bleu' during high season. Both food service operations within the venue.
- Retail/Souvenir Shop: Gift shop selling over 2,500 products including souvenirs, collectibles, regional food products, decorations, toys, clothing, and jewelry. Also stocks published books about the site and marine themes.
- Events and Congress Hosting: Corporate event services including congresses, seminars, receptions, dinners, cocktails, and private visits. Unique venues include the Art Deco Maritime Station and the Redoutable submarine for private dinners (up to 30 guests).
- Annual Pass (Pass CompliCité): Unlimited annual access pass with additional benefits including discounted rates for companions, priority access, partner discounts at Normandy establishments, and 10% off restaurant and shop purchases.
- Supplementary Experiences: Additional paid experiences including the Poisson-pilote digital guide (€5), Cherbourg Transatlantique immersive experience (€11 standalone), and guided encounters with former submariners (€3.50 add-on).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Individual Admission |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Group Adult Rates (20+ persons) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | School Group Rates |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Low Carbon Transport Tariff |
| Subscription | Annual | CompliCité Annual Pass |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Supplementary Experiences |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
La Cité de la Mer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
La Cité de la Mer is a maritime museum and aquarium offering ticketed admission to multiple permanent exhibition spaces: the visitable Le Redoutable nuclear submarine, the Abyssal Aquarium, the Titanic artifact collection, the Ocean of the Future exhibit, the Grande Galerie des Engins et des Hommes, and the Océan sur écoute sound experience. Visitors can add paid supplementary experiences (Poisson-pilote digital guide, Cherbourg Transatlantique mixed-reality, guided tours, encounters with former submariners) and access on-site restaurant, gift shop, event venues, and a free médiathèque.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Médiathèque de la Mer: A free documentation center offering access to over 4,000 books and 400 DVDs specialized in oceanic universe, accessible within the Gare Maritime without a visit ticket.
- Le Quai des Mers
- Le Ruban Bleu
- Dîner dans le Redoutable
- Congrès Cherbourg
Products and services
- Standard Individual Admission Full-day admission ticket for individual visitors giving access to all permanent exhibition spaces (Le Redoutable submarine, Ocean of the Future, Titanic return, Grande Galerie, Océan sur écoute). Tiered by age and status (adults €21, children 5-17 €15, students/disabled adults €16, disabled children €12.50, under 5 free). Re-entry permitted once on the same day.
- Group and School Bookings Discounted per-person rates for adult groups (20+ persons), school groups from maternelle through université, and CE/association groups. Optional add-ons include guided tours (+€3.50), workshops (+€3.50), and submarine encounters. Includes Immersive Package at €26/person bundling Cité de la Mer with Cherbourg Transatlantique.
- CompliCité Annual Pass Annual subscription (Adults €24/year, Children €18/year, Students & disabled €19/year) providing unlimited visits, priority access, 10% off on-site restaurant and shop, reduced companion rates, and partner discounts at Normandy establishments.
- Cherbourg Transatlantique Immersive Experience Mixed-reality AR headset experience recreating the 1937 first docking of the Queen Mary at Cherbourg's Art Deco Maritime Station. Available standalone at €11 or bundled as part of the Immersive Package (€26 with full admission, €30 with full visit).
- Poisson-pilote Digital Guide Tablet-based digital companion guide offering adult and family content levels with audio, video, games, and quizzes. Multilingual support (French, English, German). Priced at €5 supplement to admission.
- Dîner dans le Redoutable (Private Submarine Dining) Private evening dining experience on board Le Redoutable's cafeteria, accommodating up to 30 guests. Offered as a corporate/private hire event experience.
- Events and Congress Hosting Corporate event services including congresses, seminars, receptions, dinners, cocktails, and private visits in the Art Deco Maritime Station and aboard Le Redoutable. Bundled packages combining visit with event hosting are available.
- Guided Visits and Submariner Encounters Guided tours led by expert staff plus post-visit encounters with former submariners for €3.50 add-on. Available to groups and individual visitors.
- On-site Restaurant 'Le Quai des Mers' On-site seafood and regional Norman cuisine restaurant. Includes 'Le Ruban Bleu' snack/bar in the Grande Halle operating during high season. Available to all visitors and as part of meal-inclusive group packages (from €43.20/person).
- Gift Shop / Boutique On-site gift shop carrying 2,500+ products: souvenirs, collectibles, regional Norman food products, decorations, toys, clothing, jewelry, and published books about the site and marine themes. 10% discount for CompliCité pass holders.
- Médiathèque de la Mer Free documentation centre within the Art Deco Maritime Station accessible without an admission ticket. Houses 4,000+ books and 400+ DVDs on ocean and maritime themes, plus a new online media resource platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5+ million visitors since opening in 2002
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use La Cité de la Mer
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
La Cité de la Mer technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
La Cité de la Mer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RMS Titanic, Inc.corePartnership for the Titanic artifact collection exhibition. La Cité de la Mer displays 42 objects recovered from the debris field around the Titanic wreck, with the collection renewed every two years. Current exhibition runs until spring 2027.
- French Lines & CompagniesminorCollaboration for the 'Destins transatlantiques: Cherbourg, Le Havre' exhibition providing archival objects, models, posters, and period furniture from the Transatlantic Maritime Station.
- Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de NormandieminorPartnership supporting the transatlantic destinations exhibition showcasing the heritage of Cherbourg and Le Havre maritime ports.
- Office de Tourisme du CotentincoreOfficial tourism partnership providing visitor information, joint promotions, and coordinated tourism marketing for the Cotentin region. Located at 56 quai Caligny, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin.
- Attitude ManchecoreRegional tourism partner promoting the Manche department and its attractions including La Cité de la Mer. Joint marketing and visitor information services.
- Mémorial de CaenminorJoint 'Billet Trio' package combining visits to La Cité de la Mer, Mémorial de Caen, and Arromanches 360 at discounted rate (€33 instead of €48.80).
- Académie de NormandiecoreEducational partnership with the Normandy Academy of Education for school visit programs, curriculum alignment, and teacher resources.
- Réseau CanopéminorPartnership with the French educational resource network for pedagogical materials and educational content development.
- INSPE CaenminorPartnership with the National Institute for Teaching and Education (Caen campus) for teacher training and professional development.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
La Cité de la Mer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Nausicaá Centre National de la Mer: Largest aquarium in Europe located in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. Directly comparable as a French maritime-themed aquarium and museum destination combining ocean education, large tanks, and immersive exhibits targeting families and school groups.
- Océanopolis: Aquarium and ocean discovery park in Brest, Brittany, focused on marine biodiversity across polar, tropical, and temperate ecosystems. Comparable as a regional French aquarium destination with educational programming and family focus.
- Musée national de la Marine: French national maritime museum with multiple sites including Paris and Toulon, covering naval history, shipbuilding, and maritime heritage. Comparable as a maritime museum operator with similar subject matter (naval vessels, maritime history) and museum format.
- Aquarium de Paris: Indoor aquarium in the Trocadéro gardens of Paris featuring French and tropical marine species. Comparable as a French aquarium destination targeting families and tourists, though smaller scale and without the maritime history component.
- Marineland Antibes: Former marine animal park and aquarium on the French Riviera (currently in wind-down). Comparable as a large-scale French marine attraction combining aquariums with entertainment, though with a different coastal positioning and operating model.
- Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly: Maritime heritage and sailing museum in Lorient, Brittany focused on ocean racing and modern maritime culture. Comparable as a French maritime-themed cultural attraction combining interactive exhibits, historical vessels, and family programming.
Broad incumbents
- Sea Life (Merlin Entertainments): Global chain of aquariums operating multiple European locations including Paris. Comparable as a brand-operator of aquarium attractions with standardized educational and immersive content, but operates broadly across many markets rather than as a destination-themed site.
- Puy du Fou: France's largest theme park known for historical reenactment shows and immersive experiences in Vendée. Comparable as a French immersive historical/cultural theme park operator with similar business model (tickets, F&B, retail, events) and audience targeting families and school groups.
- Futuroscope: French theme park near Poitiers focused on multimedia, immersive, and futuristic experiences. Comparable as a large French operator of immersive, technology-driven attractions targeting families and school groups with comparable ticketing and group business models.
Regional players
- Mémorial de Caen: WWII history museum in Caen, Normandy with whom La Cité partners on the Billet Trio. Comparable as a Normandy-based heritage museum destination with similar group/school focus and complementary subject matter (D-Day history vs. maritime heritage).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
La Cité de la Mer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
La Cité de la Mer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
La Cité de la Mer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
La Cité de la Mer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about La Cité de la Mer
What does La Cité de la Mer do?
La Cité de la Mer is a maritime museum and aquarium offering ticketed admission to multiple permanent exhibition spaces: the visitable Le Redoutable nuclear submarine, the Abyssal Aquarium, the Titanic artifact collection, the Ocean of the Future exhibit, the Grande Galerie des Engins et des Hommes, and the Océan sur écoute sound experience. Visitors can add paid supplementary experiences (Poisson-pilote digital guide, Cherbourg Transatlantique mixed-reality, guided tours, encounters with former submariners) and access on-site restaurant, gift shop, event venues, and a free médiathèque.
Is La Cité de la Mer a public or private company?
La Cité de la Mer is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was La Cité de la Mer founded?
La Cité de la Mer was founded in 2002.
Where is La Cité de la Mer based?
La Cité de la Mer is headquartered in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France, in the Europe region.
How does La Cité de la Mer make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Individual Visit Tickets are the primary driver. The others are group and School Bookings, on-site Dining, retail/Souvenir Shop, events and Congress Hosting, annual Pass (Pass CompliCité) and supplementary Experiences.
Who are La Cité de la Mer's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Nausicaá Centre National de la Mer, Océanopolis, Musée national de la Marine, Aquarium de Paris, Marineland Antibes and Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly. Broad incumbents are Sea Life (Merlin Entertainments), Puy du Fou and Futuroscope. Mémorial de Caen is listed as a regional player.
Does La Cité de la Mer have an API?
No public API is recorded for La Cité de la Mer.
What industry is La Cité de la Mer in?
La Cité de la Mer's product category is Maritime Museum and Public Aquarium. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAF, Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film), with a secondary code of THAJACAI, UNESCO & Protected Landmark Sites. Its NAICS code is 712110 and its SIC code is 7990.