Oceanopolis

Oceanopolis opened in 1990 and grew out of Brest's standing as a centre for marine science, which shows in how it is organised: three pavilions, polar, temperate and tropical, rather than a single circuit of tanks. The temperate one is the local pavilion and the most interesting, holding species from the Iroise sea a few hundred metres away, including the kelp and the crustaceans that Breton fishing has always run on. The polar pavilion has penguins and seals in cold-water settings, and the tropical has a coral reef and sharks. Outside, between buildings, there is an otter enclosure. It takes most of a day if you read the panels.

What you actually see

• The Breton pavilion - species from the Iroise sea, the water just outside the door.
• The polar pavilion - penguins and seals in a cold-water setting.
• The tropical reef - a coral tank with sharks and reef fish.
• The otters - an outdoor enclosure on the walk between the pavilions.

When to go

Open through the year, which matters in Brest: this is the standard wet-day plan for the whole region, so rain fills it. School holidays and Breton half-terms are the worst. The first hour after opening is calmest. Feeding times are posted at the entrance and are worth building the visit around.

Honest expectations

It is expensive for a family and needs the better part of a day to justify the ticket. On a wet holiday afternoon the popular tanks are three people deep and children see very little. Some of the display design has aged. Anyone uneasy about seals and penguins kept in captivity should know that before booking rather than after.

Nearby

The Moulin Blanc marina and beach are next door, with central Brest a short tram ride away.