AQUATIS

It's a hymn to the world of water, a discovery, and a rich one at that! What could be more magical than admiring these fish swimming in these large aquariums? Simply superb. The site is a must-see for young and old alike. It's an educational and exciting place to visit. Whether you're a freshwater diver or a saltwater diver, a seabed enthusiast, a lover of the aquatic world, a freshwater or saltwater sailor, this is your domain! You have a rendezvous with the freshwater version of the aquatic world. If it's not the surgeon fish or trigger fish of the Pacific, Indian Ocean or Red Sea, it's just as exciting. The concept itself is off the beaten track. The focus here is on the life cycle of a tiny drop of water as it travels around the world. The tour begins on a European scale, following the course of the Rhône from the Valais to the Mediterranean.

In subdued lighting, punctuated by the discovery of aquariums and explanatory panels, we travel around the world from another angle. The world of water is a universe in itself, to which we owe our lives. Here, you'll discover how ecosystems function on five continents. We explore the great basins of Africa, then head for the Far East, Latin America, from the Mekong in Cambodia to the banks of the Amazon, the world's most powerful river, which rises in the Andes and flows through Peru, Colombia and Brazil. It's not just these titanic waterways that we're rediscovering, but also all the life that flows from them. Oceania, too: twelve types of ecosystem are presented, with their fragile flora and fauna. Among the 10,000 fish gathered on the site, we admire piranhas and arapaimas, the largest fish in South America, alligator fish from Singapore, small rays... The museum is very well laid out, with superb aquariums, trails on bridges in the tropical zone and the famous light tunnel. The site sends out a strong message for the preservation of the environment. Aquatis is involved in protection, conservation and sustainable development programs. The scourge of pollution, such as microplastics, is evoked. An excellent presentation, characterized by interactive scenography. You can take part in fascinating guided tours. This aquarium-vivarium, which is truly committed to education and conservation and is the largest in Europe, is a must-see.