The Tropical Aquarium occupies the basement of the Palais de la Porte Dorée, an Art Deco building in Paris's 12th arrondissement near the Bois de Vincennes. It opened in 1931 as part of the Colonial Exposition to showcase aquatic biodiversity from France's overseas territories. Today it houses around 4,400 animals across 350 species in 84 tanks, split roughly between freshwater and saltwater environments.

Tropical Aquarium — Planning Your Visit

Opening Hours

MondayClosed

Tuesday10:00 - 17:30

Wednesday10:00 - 17:30

Thursday10:00 - 17:30

Friday10:00 - 17:30

Saturday10:00 - 19:00

Sunday10:00 - 19:00

Ticket Prices

Aquarium Entry

Recommended

€12

Free for:

ICOM Card HoldersJournalistsUnder 26 years oldMilitary Personnel

€9 for:

Large Families

Combined Ticket: Aquarium + Immigration Museum

Includes access to the Aquarium Tropical and the National Museum of the History of Immigration, both housed in the Palais de la Porte Dorée.

€16

Free for:

ICOM Card HoldersJournalistsUnder 26 years oldMilitary Personnel

€13 for:

Large Families

During World War II, the aquarium nearly lost its entire collection. Staff shortages and frequent power cuts made it almost impossible to maintain the tanks' temperature and filtration systems. Many species died, and recovery took over a decade.