What Océanopolis does

Océanopolis is a public aquarium and national scientific culture center dedicated to the ocean, located in Brest, France. Founded in 1990 and operated by Brest'aim as a semi-public limited company (SA d'économie mixte) under Brest Métropole, it operates 77 aquariums across 9,000 m² of exhibition space with 4 million liters of seawater, housing approximately 1,000 animal species and 10,000 specimens across three climate-controlled pavilions (Tropical, Brittany, Austral/Polar), an otter trail, the Cité des Océanautes interactive children's space (450 m², 14 in-house-developed mediation installations), and the Océanolab public-facing research laboratory. It is positioned as the No. 1 tourist attraction in Brittany and integrates deeply with Brest's marine science hub (Ifremer, CNRS, UBO, SHOM, IPEV, CEDRE, UNESCO-IOC).

The company monetizes through a multi-stream revenue model: timed-entry admission tickets (€14.60–€24.90), annual subscriptions (€32.60–€49), bundled packages including the Ocean Pass (4 Brest attractions plus Bibus transport, €19–€44), on-site food and beverage (Le Rest'O, pre-ordered lunch baskets), an open-access gift shop with gift cards, premium experiences (Keeper for a Day at €100–€150, Backstage Tour at €10–€15), and B2B corporate event hosting on-site and aboard the historic vessel La Recouvrance. Its go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer online booking, on-site ticket counters, and reseller channels including the Brest Tourist Office, 70.8 Museum, CSE bulk employee committees, and the Pass Culture national program.

Its customer base spans individual/family leisure visitors (primary segment), schools and educational institutions (~35,000 students/year through the À l'école de l'océan program recognized by the French Ministry of Education), corporate and MICE clients, and regional and international tourists served via multi-language (French, English, German) digital channels. Distribution is supported by an active social and PR presence across Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok, an email newsletter, and partnerships with international aquarium networks (EAZA, Aquarium of the Pacific, Two Oceans Aquarium, Biodôme de Montréal, SeaLife Alaska, Polarinstituttet). A multi-year renovation programme called Métamorphose (2024–2027) is modernizing the Tropical and Austral pavilions to extend the visitor experience.

Name

Océanopolis

Legal name

OCEANOPOLIS – BRESTAIM

Website

https://oceanopolis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Océanopolis is a public aquarium and national ocean science culture center in Brest, France, operating 77 aquariums and 9,000 m² of exhibits housing 1,000 species. It serves families, schools (35,000 students/year), corporate clients, and tourists via ticketing, subscriptions, events, and bundled attractions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Aquarium / Marine Science Culture Center

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Wildlife Sanctuaries & Protected Seascape Visitor Operations (Reef/Marine Parks) (THAAAFAJ)

Keywords

• Public aquarium operations
• Marine science education
• Ocean culture center
• Aquatic exhibit experiences
• Marine conservation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Brest

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Admission Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from sale of timed-entry tickets. Standard tickets, discounted advance tickets, same-day tickets, student tickets, and disability-access tickets. Adults from €22.90 (advance), youth from €18.50, children from €14.60. Includes entry to Tropical Pavilion, Brittany Pavilion, Otter Trail, and Cité des Océanautes.
2. Annual Subscriptions: Annual unlimited-access subscriptions. Adults at €49/year, young people and students at €32.60/year. Includes full park access for 1 year plus additional benefits.
3. Combined Tickets and Packages: Bundled tickets combining entry with dining (Océanopolis + meal from €43.20 for adult), combined entry with 70.8 museum (from €29.80 for adult), and Ocean Pass bundle covering 4 Brest attractions plus unlimited public transport (€39–44 for adult, €19–22 for child).
4. Food and Beverage: On-site dining through restaurant (Le Rest'O), self-service, and takeaway. Pre-ordered lunch baskets (sandwich from €12.55, salad from €14.85) booked online. Food voucher system accepted.
5. Gift Shop and Retail: Open-access gift shop selling marine-themed merchandise including plush toys, cosmetics, tableware, jewelry, games, books, and souvenirs. Gift cards available at €20 and €50 denominations.
6. Specialty Experiences: Premium experiences including 'Keeper for a Day' (€150 for adults aged 16+, €100 for youth 12–15 with adult), 'Privileged Backstage Tour' (€15 or €10 + park entry), and 'Oceanauts in the Shadow' interactive game.
7. Event Hosting and Venue Rental: B2B seminar, congress, and corporate event hosting. Events organized on-site at Océanopolis or aboard La Recouvrance vessel. Commercial and events service creates bespoke events with personalized services.
8. Parking: Free parking available on-site, with spaces for cars, buses, and RVs (no overnight stays). Operated as a complimentary service to park visitors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Océanopolis operates a public aquarium and scientific culture center in Brest, France, presenting tropical, Brittany, and polar/austral marine ecosystems across 77 aquariums and 9,000 m² of exhibition space housing ~1,000 species. The park sells admission tickets, annual subscriptions, and bundled packages such as the Ocean Pass, complemented by on-site food and beverage, a gift shop, premium experiences (e.g., Keeper for a Day), and B2B venue rental for corporate events. Educational and scientific engagement is delivered through the Cité des Océanautes interactive space, the Océanolab public research laboratory, and the À l'école de l'océan school program serving ~35,000 students per year.

Product overview

Océanopolis is an aquarium and leisure park in Brest, France, operated by Brest'aim. The park operates on a pavilion-based architecture consisting of three climate-controlled marine exhibits (Tropical, Brittany, and Austral/Polar pavilions) plus outdoor trails and interactive spaces. The core experience centers on approximately 77 aquariums and 9,000 m2 of exhibit space housing around 1,000 animal species and 10,000 animals. Supporting facilities include the Cité des Océanautes (children's interactive discovery space), Océanolab (public research laboratory), Otter Trail, restaurants, gift shop, and event hosting services. The park also offers combined ticketing through the Ocean Pass and various add-on experiences like guided tours and backstage access. A major renovation project called Métamorphose (2024-2027) is updating the Tropical and Polar/Austral pavilions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cité des Océanautes: An interactive and sensory discovery space for children aged 6-12 years, featuring 450 m2 and 14 mediation devices for exploring ocean biodiversity.
• Océanolab

Products and services

• Tropical Pavilion Major aquarium pavilion showcasing tropical marine ecosystems, including coral reef environments and tropical fish species. One of three themed pavilions recreating distinct marine habitats for general public and school visitors.
• Brittany Pavilion Exhibit focusing on local marine ecosystems of the Brittany coast and the Iroise Sea, featuring environments of the Bay of Brest, grey seals and seaweed beds. One of three themed pavilions at the aquarium.
• Otter Trail (Sentier des loutres) Outdoor trail featuring European otters and North Pacific sea otters (the only French park to host sea otters), with an exhibition presenting 13 otter species worldwide.
• Austral Pavilion (formerly Polar Pavilion) Pavilion showcasing polar and austral marine ecosystems, currently closed for complete renovation as part of the Métamorphose project and scheduled to reopen in early 2027 as the Austral Pavilion.
• Cité des Océanautes (City of Oceanauts) Interactive children's discovery space of 450 m² with 14 mediation devices combining digital technology and mechanical installations, designed for children aged 6–12 across five themes: Particularities, Behaviors, Movements, Thinking the Ocean, and Acting for the Ocean.
• Océanolab Public Research Laboratory First publicly accessible research laboratory where scientists and citizens collaborate on marine ecology research projects. Currently hosting the ALCID research program studying the response of Breton macroalgae to ocean temperature rises (+2°C by 2100 per IPCC) and invasive Sargassum muticum, with researchers from UBO using controlled test tanks.
• Ocean Pass (4-attraction bundled ticket) Combined ticket valid from 4 July to 30 August 2026 providing access to 4 must-see Brest attractions (Océanopolis, National Maritime Museum, 70.8 Museum for the Ocean, National Botanical Conservatory) plus unlimited Bibus public transport (tram, bus, cable car, Blue Line panoramic buses). Adult 1 day €39; child 1 day €19; 2-day variants €44/€22.
• Guided Tours Expert-led guided experiences including 'Dive into the Bay of Brest' and 'Dive into the Iroise Sea', led by scientific mediators revealing underwater ecosystem secrets for general public visitors.
• Privileged Backstage Tour Behind-the-scenes access to typically inaccessible areas including the quarantine room of the Tropical Pavilion, filtration rooms and food preparation areas for residents. From €15 (backstage only) or €10 plus park entrance fee. Duration 1 hour; minimum age 12.
• Keeper for a Day Immersive animal keeper experience where participants accompany caretakers during feeding of seals, sea otters, or penguins and observe veterinary practices. €150 for adults 16+, €100 for youth 12–15 with adult, €100 for adult companion. Duration 4.5 hours (08:00–12:30). Maximum 4 participants. Temporarily suspended until summer 2025 due to Métamorphose renovation.
• Restaurant Le Rest'O (on-site dining) On-site dining restaurant offering lunch menus, with combo tickets available combining park entry and meal from €43.20 adult / €23.65 child. Also includes takeaway and pre-ordered lunch baskets (sandwich €12.55, salad €14.85) online.
• Gift Shop / Boutique Open-access shop offering marine-themed merchandise including stuffed animals, cosmetics, tableware, jewelry, games, books, and gift cards in €20 and €50 denominations.
• Child Birthday Parties Organized birthday celebrations for children at Océanopolis; packages for 11 participants at €211, with each additional participant €21.10.
• Event Hosting and Venue Rental (seminars, congresses, corporate events) Professional B2B event hosting services for seminars, congresses, and corporate events at the park or aboard the La Recouvrance vessel, delivered through a dedicated commercial and events service.
• Annual Subscription (unlimited access) Annual unlimited-access subscription for individuals and families. Adult (18+) €49/year; youth (14–17) and student €32.60/year. Includes full park access for 1 year plus additional benefits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35,000 students visit annually through the 'À l'école de l'océan' program
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Maritime Museum (Brest Castle)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 July 2026One of 4 attractions included in the Ocean Pass (July 4–August 30, 2026). Joint marketing initiative combining tickets for 4 must-see Brest attractions plus unlimited public transport. -10% discount on Tourist Office guided tours for pass holders.
• 70.8 Musée pour l'Océan (Ateliers des Capucins)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 July 2026One of 4 attractions in the Ocean Pass. Joint ticket with Océanopolis (+70.8 combined ticket from €29.80). -10% discount at the 70.8 gift shop for pass holders. Also a ticket resale point for Ocean Pass.
• National Botanical Conservatory of BrestcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 July 2026One of 4 attractions included in the Ocean Pass (July 4–August 30, 2026), representing plant biodiversity complementing marine focus.
• Brest Tourist OfficecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 July 2026Official tourism partner for Brest. Ocean Pass sold at 52 rue du Château location. Joint promotional activities and -10% discount on guided tours for pass holders. Also a ticket resale point.
• Bibus (Brest public transport network)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 July 2026Public transport network included in Ocean Pass. Covers bus routes, tramway, urban cable car, and Blue Line panoramic double-decker buses for unlimited travel during pass validity.
• À bord toute (cruise operator)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 July 2026Cruise operator offering -10% discount to Ocean Pass holders.
• La Recouvrance (historic sailing vessel)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 July 2026Historic sailing vessel offering -10% discount on sailings for Ocean Pass holders. Also available as an event venue through Océanopolis commercial service.
• Brest MétropolecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government and primary institutional backer of Océanopolis through Brest'aim SA d'économie mixte. Supports the park's role as Brest's flagship tourist attraction and marine science education hub.
• République françaisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational government institutional partner supporting Océanopolis as a national scientific culture center.
• Union européennecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Union funding and institutional support for the marine science and culture center.
• Département du FinistèrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartmental government partner supporting Océanopolis as a key attraction in Finistère, Brittany.
• Région BretagnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government partner promoting Océanopolis as a flagship attraction for Brittany tourism.
• IfremercoreTechnology or IntegrationFrance's national marine research institute. Long-standing scientific collaboration providing research expertise and marine science credibility to Océanopolis. One of the leading marine science institutions in Europe, based in Brest.
• CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)coreTechnology or IntegrationFrance's national scientific research center. Provides scientific expertise and research collaboration for marine science mediation and education programs.
• UBO (Université de Bretagne Occidentale)coreTechnology or IntegrationLocal university in Brest. Collaborates on research projects including ALCID (algae, climate, invasive species, diversity) conducted in Océanolab. Provides academic researchers and scientific staff.
• IUEM (Institut Européen de la Mer)coreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean Institute for Marine Studies. Co-developer of the Océanolab program alongside Océanopolis and UBO, bringing together scientists and citizens for marine ecology research.
• SHOM (Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine)coreTechnology or IntegrationFrench naval hydrographic and oceanographic service. Scientific partner providing marine data and expertise for oceanographic displays and research.
• Institut Polaire Paul-Émile Victor (IPEV)coreTechnology or IntegrationFrench polar research institute. Scientific partner representing Brest's position as a gateway to polar research and contributing to polar pavilion and educational content.
• CEDREcoreTechnology or IntegrationCentre de Documentation, de Recherche et d'Expérimentations sur les pollutions accidentelles des eaux. Scientific partner for marine pollution research, based in Brest.
• Aires Marines Protégées (French Marine Protected Areas Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational agency for marine protected areas. Partner in marine conservation education and research, contributing to conservation mission and content.
• UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO-IOC. Official partner of Océanopolis, supporting global ocean science education and the international scientific culture mission.
• EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean zoo and aquarium association. Membership provides access to best practices, animal welfare standards, and collaborative breeding and conservation programs.
• Aquarium of the Pacific (Monterey, California, USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational aquarium collaboration. Part of a network of international aquarium partners for knowledge sharing and joint conservation initiatives.
• Two Oceans Aquarium (Cape Town, South Africa)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational aquarium collaboration. Part of a network of international aquarium partners.
• Aquarium du Québec (Quebec, Canada)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational aquarium collaboration. Part of a network of international aquarium partners.
• Polarinstituttet (Tromsø, Norway)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational aquarium collaboration for polar marine science exchange.
• Biodôme de Montréal (Quebec, Canada)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration with Montreal's biodome for biodiversity and ecosystem education.
• SeaLife Center (Seward, Alaska, USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational marine science collaboration focused on North Pacific marine ecosystems.
• LP3C (Université Rennes 2, UBO, Université de Bretagne Sud)coreTechnology or IntegrationLaboratoire de Psychologie: Cognition, Comportement, Communication. Scientific collaboration for developing the Cité des Océanautes' 7 interactive science stations and educational content design.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aquarium of Genoa (Costa Edutainment): One of Europe's largest aquariums (Italy), featuring pavilion-style exhibits, large shark tanks, and a strong research/education mission — directly overlapping with Océanopolis's three-pavilion model and shark-aquarium centerpiece.
• Oceanário de Lisboa: Major European public aquarium in Lisbon with a comparable science-education profile, large central tank exhibit, deep ties to marine research, and ticketed visitor model targeting both families and tourists.
• Aquarium of the Pacific: Named international partner in Long Beach, CA; comparable scale aquarium with science-education mission, school programs, species diversity, and major-tank exhibits — similar operating philosophy to Océanopolis.
• Biodôme de Montréal: Named international partner — operates ecosystem-based pavilions covering marine and terrestrial habitats; comparable science-culture positioning with mixed-exhibit (water and land) architecture similar to Océanopolis's tropical/Brittany/Austral pavilion structure.
• Oceanogràfic Valencia: Part of the City of Arts and Sciences complex in Valencia; Europe's largest aquarium by volume of water. Comparable as a large-scale, pavilion-based public aquarium emphasizing biodiversity, research partnerships, and immersive marine experiences.
• Nausicaá - Centre National de la Mer: France's other flagship public aquarium in Boulogne-sur-Mer, also explicitly framed as a national ocean center with similar science-education mission, large species collections, and ticketed visitor model. Closest functional comparable on the domestic market.
• Two Oceans Aquarium: Cape Town aquarium cited by Océanopolis as an international network partner; similar science-culture positioning, multi-ecosystem exhibits, education programs, and ticketed visitor model targeting both tourists and schools.

Broad incumbents

• Sea Life (Merlin Entertainments): Global network of branded aquariums under Merlin Entertainments — operates multiple European sites that compete for tourism share; broader incumbent with chains across geographies, not a single national center but a portfolio competitor.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: Iconic US aquarium known for deep research, conservation, and iconic exhibits; not a direct regional competitor but a comparable science-driven public aquarium with similar mission and institutional positioning to Océanopolis.

Regional players

• Cite de la Mer (Cherbourg): French marine heritage attraction under Normandy focused on underwater exploration and naval history. Adjacent category (museum rather than aquarium) but competes for French marine-tourism mindshare with similar geographic catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/oceanopolis_?lang=fr
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UChVIG3gczv6A-eo9RNZP4jw
• Facebookfr-fr.facebook.com/oceanopolisbrest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oceanopolis
• Instagraminstagram.com/oceanopolisbrest/?hl=fr
• TikToktiktok.com/@oceanopolisbrest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Océanopolis