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Leisure park

Nausicaä

Boulogne-sur-Mer, Opal Coast

About this place

If you’re passing through Boulogne-sur-Mer, come dive into the heart of the fascinating “ocean on land,” Nausicaä—a true hub of scientific and technical education about the aquatic environment.

Nausicaä is designed to be a place for discovering the marine world, offering educational, fun, and scientific tours.

Through giant aquariums, immersive displays, and surprising special effects, you’ll encounter penguins on their beach, journey through the submerged forests of French Guiana or the Amazon to see caimans and piranhas. You’ll also have the chance to explore tropical coral reefs after petting the stingrays in the touch pool. Many other wonders await you... including California sea lions, trained right before your eyes, and the impressive sharks that will transform your perception of the oceans.

Since its opening in 1991, Nausicaä has dedicated numerous exhibits and activities to raising public awareness about the protection and proper management of the oceans. Indeed, the National Marine Center is dedicated not only to helping visitors discover the ocean but also to education and a mission of great importance for the planet’s future: encouraging all visitors to take action to preserve the oceans, which are vast reservoirs of biodiversity.

Ideal for families, your visit can be punctuated by a short break at one of the various dining areas available or at the gift shop and bookstore.

Nausicaä also hosts corporate incentive events within its unique facility.

What to do nearby?

Upcoming events in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Culture 1 August → 30 September

A Tropical Getaway

Boulogne-sur-Mer

The “Tropical Escape” exhibition transports visitors to the heart of coral reefs and mangroves, true treasures of biodiversity. With its dazzling lagoons, fluorescent corals, and fascinating species, this immersive exhibition invites visitors to escape… and to become more aware. For these natural treasures are fragile in the face of human threats and climate change.
Culture 12 September → 13 September

Beurière Festival

Boulogne-sur-Mer

During the Fête de la Beurière, the final staircase-lined street and the fishermen’s houses in the old sailors’ quarter are restored to their early 1900s appearance and host artisans and small maritime trades, as well as a food court. Les Soleils Boulonnais and Lou Gerbassou, from Ambazac in the Limousin region, will perform songs and dances. Take advantage of the festival to visit the Maison de la Beurière and learn about the lives of sailors and their families. Free admission.
Culture 18 September

"Nausicaä: 35 Years of Boulogne History" Event

Boulogne-sur-Mer

"Nausicaä: 35 Years of History in Boulogne" Event On September 18, 2026, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, join us at the Maison de la Beurrière for a one-of-a-kind evening. Christine Leprêtre of Nausicaä and Jean-Pierre Ramet, president of the Maison de la Beurrière, will present the history of Nausicaä, from the initial project to the National Maritime Center. This evening will be an opportunity to discover the history of Nausicaä through several themed segments, punctuated by anecdotes and interactions with the audience. Christine Leprêtre and Jean-Pierre Ramet will share their passion for local history and reveal the secrets of Nausicaä. Join us at the Maison de la Beurrière for an unforgettable cultural evening!

Other places to discover

Leisure park

The Dunkirk Aquarium

Dunkerque

The 20 tanks at the Dunkirk Aquarium showcase fish, corals, and turtles.
Leisure park

The Dragon Company

Calais

The Compagnie du Dragon presents its mechanical bestiary! Embark on an adventure aboard the Dragon of Calais, a majestic creature 12 meters tall and 25 meters long, or become an apprentice machinist and bring our Sentinel Iguana to life.   Come meet these amazing creatures imagined by artist François Delarozière and discover the treasures of the Opal Coast, starting with the new “Calais la Plage.”
Leisure park

Dino Parc Disc Golf

Coudekerque-Branche

In addition to mini-golf, pedal boats, the bungee trampoline, rides, and the Pirate Fort, you can go meet the dinosaurs! Have a wonderful summer in Coudekerque-Branche. The Dinos, the new attraction at Fort Louis Park In a surprising setting, surrounded by T-Rexes, triceratops, and velociraptors, come enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience. Our Rangers will welcome you at our gift shop located at the entrance to Dino Park. Both children and adults will find plenty of Dino Park souvenirs suitable for all ages. This new facility, located near the mini-golf course, allows us to continue offering new outdoor activities in the lush green setting of Fort Louis Park. Immerse yourself in the world of the Jurassic Period as you discover some fifteen giant dinosaurs—without the risk of being devoured! Dino Park Disc Golf, Season 2 Dino Park Disc Golf has gotten a makeover and welcomed new dinosaurs that are more lifelike than ever! There are plenty of new features to discover in this world straight out of Jurassic Park… For example, a roaming dinosaur will surprise even the most daring visitors! The 4-meter-by-10-meter T-Rex will amaze you with its lifelike movements. Visitors can discover a new dinosaur, the Carnotaurus—also a robotic model—to learn even more about the giants that shaped history. You’ll be able to admire one of the most famous and impressive prehistoric animals in life-size form: the mammoth. Your children (or even the adults) can take photos of themselves inside dinosaur eggs.
Leisure park

The Fort Mardyck Zoo

Fort-Mardyck

Originally a children’s playground, Fort Mardyck Park gradually welcomed more and more animals until it became the zoo it is today, with a focus on European wildlife. After four years of renovation, the park reopened its doors in June 2005, featuring improved facilities for both visitors and animals. The park then set itself the mission of raising public awareness through the zoo’s animals. Suitable for the whole family, the approximately 2-hectare park welcomes you with a variety of activities and exhibits on diverse and varied themes. You can’t visit the park without seeing its stars: the famous brown bears Dominique and Kiwi—the latter of whom appeared in Jean-Jacques Annaud’s 1988 film *The Bear*. You’ll also find flamingos, Carpathian lynx, and majestic reindeer. It’s a fun outing where you can chat with the staff and admire the diverse wildlife that inhabits our continent!
Religious building

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

Boulogne-sur-Mer

In 636, a boat containing a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus was discovered in the Liane estuary. It was placed in a chapel in the upper town, built on the site of a Roman temple. In 1100, in order to accommodate more pilgrims coming to pay homage to the Virgin, Countess Ide of Boulogne decided to have a Gothic-style church and crypt built in place of the chapel. After Louis XI granted her suzerainty over the County of Boulogne in 1478, the Virgin and her cathedral suffered extensive damage due to the wars with England and the religious wars of the 16th century. In 1793, the revolutionaries burned this ancient image of the Virgin Mary; all that remains today is a fragment of her hand, preserved in a reliquary. Five years later, the cathedral was completely razed. It was thanks to Father Haffreingue that the basilica was rebuilt between 1827 and 1857, modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. In 1866, it was consecrated as the Cathedral of “Notre Dame and St. Joseph,” and a new statue of the Virgin Mary, carved from oak, was created. Since 1854, from the Feast of the Assumption to the last Sunday in August, the annual pilgrimage to Notre Dame de Boulogne—which concludes with a grand procession through the city streets—has continued to attract many pilgrims from the region and beyond. During a visit, it’s hard to miss the 88-meter-high dome, the carved oak pulpit in the Louis XV style, the Crowned Virgin, and the Chapel of the Sacred Heart with its marble work. The cathedral’s crypt is one of the largest in France, measuring 128 meters long and 42 meters wide; it is also a must-see during your visit.
Museum

La Maison de la Beurière

Boulogne-sur-Mer

Built on the side of the cliff, Boulogne’s fishing district, La Beurière, has always been a very unique community. Moreover, it is a magnificent place where stair-step streets wind down toward the shore and the harbor. During World War II, the bombings that struck this densely populated neighborhood scattered the community. Only one street has been preserved almost in its entirety: Rue du Mâchicoulis. It is on this street that the Maison de la Beurière is located, an eco-museum that traces the life of a 20th-century Boulogne seafaring family. As you step inside this authentic fisherman’s house built in 1870, you’ll be moved as you discover: * on the ground floor, the living quarters of a family of sailors around 1900, where the furniture and objects bear witness to a hard and simple life, * on the first floor, the atmosphere and faded colors of this neighborhood: photos, artifacts, and traditional costumes transport you back to the heart of Boulogne’s fishing history, the development of its techniques, and its port, * on the top floor, the library and media center.

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