Océanapolis, the last excursion in Bretagne

Saturday, July 7 was our last actual excursion in Brittany (Bretagne), and it was right here in Brest. Our annual excursion to the local aquarium, Océanapolis, is an optional one, and one that they must pay for their own admission. So if you don’t see your student among the pictures, don’t worry.

Océanapolis is a wonderful aquarium. However, if you are thinking Shedd Aquarium, you’ll have to scale back your expectations. There are four major displays; the Otter Pathway, the Polar Biome, the Tropical Biome, and the Biome of Bretagne. And there is a special Seal pavilion. Océanapolis has a special seal clinic. Wounded seals found in the Iroise Sea (the body of water that is part of the Atlantic, just off Brest) are brought to Océanapolis, nursed back to health and returned to the wild. 

It’s really extraordinary for a small aquarium.

Océanapolis features many displays in which the viewer is actually under the water (protected by glass), others that are hands-on (one can actually touch sea creatures), and others that are inter-active.

For a small aquarium, they do amazing things.

The photos of your students are of them having this wonderful experience (okay, some pictures of the fish and animals as well).

Not a student

Cendy learns the meaning of the word "chouchou"
from one of the host family kids.

Hands-on ice! The students could then put their hands under
an infra-red  detector to see the "colors" of their temperatures.

This guy is incredibly poisonous - and in the South Pacific.

Irresistible!

Reach out and touch!

Sophie looks enthralled.

Esti couldn't get enough.

Waiting for their rides.

This was later in the week.
Working in the office, I spied these faces.