Welcome to NAUSICAA
It is with great pleasure that I come to you, in my capacity as General Manager of Nausicaá – Centre National de la Mer, in succession to Philippe Vallette. The man who was for more than 30 years the General Manager of Nausicaá has retired but he remains among the privileged participants in the world of aquariums and continues to give me advice during this period.
It is therefore with the same enthusiasm that he showed to convince you to choose Boulogne-sur-Mer to hold the 11th International Aquarium Congress that I welcome you.
Nausicaá, which is already one of the largest aquariums in the world, is continuing its development and is actively working to complete its extension, which began in 2018. The first phase, which is now operational, focused on a major issue of the 21st century, the governance and management of the high seas.
The second phase, postponed due to the Covid epidemic, will open in the first half of 2025.
It will offer a new tour loop to continue raising awareness of the consequences of climate change through the discovery of a new ecosystem at Nausicaá, the Great North. These works will also allow us to create a vast room dedicated to temporary exhibitions, giving Nausicaa the means to regularly renew the reasons for visiting its loyal visitors.
Finally, we will also be inaugurating a space dedicated to children and in particular to schoolchildren, the Children’s Academy, confirming our place as a place of educational mediation at the forefront of new educational methods.
Nausicaá, located in Boulogne-sur-Mer, is the second most visited site north of Paris. It combines the presence of the marvellous landscapes of the Côte d’Opale and easily allows us to offer different pre and post-visits, both for tourist stays and visits to large European aquariums.
Its proximity to London, Brussels and Paris means that it can be reached very easily in two hours from the three major airports of these cities. Welcoming you is also about ensuring that the French touch is present, enriching the experience throughout the conference through gastronomy or culture.
The entire Nausicaá crew is looking forward to hosting this new International Aquarium Congress from 30 October to 4 November 2022 and to allowing you to experience an unforgettable moment.
Read here the welcome text in Chinese
Read here the welcome text in Japanese