A monument to knowledge and heritage preservation in the heart of Paris
Located in the heart of Paris’ Latin Quarter, the Maison de l’Océan is the headquarters of the Institut Océanographique. Founded in 1906 by Prince Albert I (Prince of Monaco), the Oceanographic Institute is considered a charitable foundation. It brings together scientific, political and economic players, as well as the general public, to promote awareness and protection of the ocean.
Adjacent to the Seine, the Latin Quarter is one of the capital’s best-known districts, home to a number of prestigious schools, including the world-famous Sorbonne. Still very popular with students and professors, this historic district is a mix of educational and religious buildings that bear witness to the capital’s architectural and societal past.
Anecdotes and curiosities about the Maison de l’Océan
1. A committed place
Under the impetus of its honorary president, HSH Prince Albert II, the Maison de l’Océan contributes to Monaco’s commitment to the Ocean. A veritable environmental ” hub”, the Maison de l’Océan is home to key players in ocean protection, and hosts high-level events for professionals and the general public, focusing on today’s major issues(sustainable ocean management, climate, biodiversity, etc.).
2. A great architect
The building was designed by Henri-Paul Nénot, the architect responsible for the Sorbonne nouvelle and nearby Institut de géographie buildings. It is symbolically linked to the Oceanographic Institute by a double arch representing the Earth and the Ocean. Its appearance stands out in the neighborhood for its original style, reminiscent of an Italian Renaissance palace, with a combination of brick and stone, complemented by an imposing square tower.
3. An illustrious neighborhood
As we’ve said, it’s next door to the Sorbonne and the Institut de Géographie. The 5th arrondissement in which it is located is brimming with prestigious educational establishments that have inherited centuries of knowledge. Some of France’s greatest figures spent their student lives here , including Charles Baudelaire, Voltaire, Eugène Delacroix and Jean-Paul Sartre. And finally, during the events of May 1968, this district was one of the nerve centers of the various protest movements.
Candlelight concerts at Maison de l’Océan
This unique venue, whose architecture resembles a Renaissance palace, is also the setting for sublime Candlelight concerts! Virtuoso artists perform the very best in all genres of music. String quartets, piano soloists… For unique musical evenings in an ocean of candlelight, the walls of the Maison de l’Océan vibrate with music.
It’s in the Grand Amphithéâtre, the centerpiece of the Maison de l’Océan, that music lovers and lovers of new experiences gather. This sumptuous laboratory of ideas , with its period paintings, stained-glass windows and crystal chandeliers, casts a new light on Music.
What else can you do at the Maison de l’Océan?
For over a century, the Maison de l’Océan has been committed to inspiring passion in young people and adults alike by exploring art and science, and pursuing the noble mission of its founder, Prince Albert I, to “make people discover, love and preserve the oceans“. From conferences on various ocean-related themes to Spanish dance performances, the program is so eclectic that we recommend you check out the events on the internet.
Candlelight seeks out the world’s most unique venues to shed new light on classic masterpieces and contemporary geniuses alike. And believe us, if the Maison de l’Océan has been chosen, it’s because it possesses something magical, that little something extra that makes candlelight concerts, like all the other venues in Paris, unforgettable.