A monument to knowledge and heritage preservation in the heart of Paris
Located in the heart of the Latin Quarter in Paris, the Maison de l’Océan is the headquarters of the Oceanographic Institute. Founded in 1906 by Prince Albert I, the Oceanographic Institute is a public foundation. It brings together scientific, political, economic and public players 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 many prestigious schools, including the Sorbonne. Still very popular with students and teachers, this historic district is a mix of educational and religious buildings that bear witness to Paris’ 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 Under The Sea. A veritable environmental ” hub”, it is home to major 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 buildings of the Sorbonne nouvelle and the neighboring Institut de géographie. 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 already mentioned, it’s next door to the Sorbonne and the Institut de Géographie. The 5th arrondissement in which it is located is packed with prestigious educational establishments that have inherited centuries of knowledge. Some of France’s most famous figures spent their student lives at Louis-le-grand, 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, with its Renaissance palace-like architecture, is also the setting for sublime performances candlelight concerts Candlelight ! Virtuoso artists perform the best of music from all genres. String quartets, piano soloists… For unique musical evenings in an ocean of candlelight, music vibrates the walls of the Maison de l’Océan.
The Grand Amphithéâtre, the centerpiece of the Maison de l’Océan, is the place to be for music lovers and those seeking new experiences. This sumptuous laboratory of ideas, with its period paintings, stained glass windows and crystal chandeliers, sheds 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 “help 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 locations to bring new light to 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 it, just as much as other Paris locations candlelit concerts .