Maison de l'Océan

The Maison de l'Océan in Paris, originally founded in 1906 by Prince Albert I of Monaco as an oceanographic institute, is located in the 5th arrondissement near the Latin Quarter. Completed in 1911, the brick-and-stone building, designed in the style of an Italian Renaissance palace, was the work of architect Henri-Paul Nénot and was declared a historic monument in 2004. The building houses two amphitheaters, specialized laboratories for physical oceanography and marine biology, and a research library. Breeding facilities are located in the basement, while the facade is defined by a tall square tower. Since it was renamed for its 100th anniversary in 2011, the site has been dedicated to sharing oceanographic knowledge and to its connection with the neighboring Geographical Academy.