Key Poitou-Charentes tourist attraction to close for refurbishment

Description:

For the first time since it opened in December 2000, the Aquarium of La Rochelle will close its doors for essential cleaning and renovation work between 5 and 30 January.

The six million visitors it has welcomed through its doors have left their mark, and whilst officials are quiet on the full extent of the work, and the overall budget, they suggest that there will be some surprises.

The renovations will include new improved areas for children, replacement explanation panels, and replacement of floor coverings , and two new basins at an area called ‘carrefour entre les oceans' (crossroad between the oceans).

The existing ‘Café de l'Aquarium' which has been closed since 10 November, will be refurbished, and with a new chef in place they will be offering seafood in line with the philosophy of the aquarium.  The fish on offer will not be from species in declining numbers, and will not be imported.

The Aquarium of La Rochelle has 70 basins containing around three million litres of sea water.  The attraction has around 10,000 creatures from 600 different species, including a 1.5 million litre shark tank.