The entire aquarium can be seen in less than 2 hours, so it can easily fit into a day of sightseeing or a visit to the Paris Zoological Park nearby. Highlights include a pair of rare albino alligators, while temporary exhibitions take on weighty subjects such as global warming and ocean conservation.
The building that houses the aquarium was built in 1931 by French architect Albert Laprade as part of the Paris Colonial Exposition. Its distinctive colonnaded façade resembles a classical Greek temple, with walls covered in bas-relief carvings of more than 250 figures and animals depicting life in the French colonies. Upstairs, a separate ticketed museum examines the story of immigration into France. Admission is included with the Paris Pass and other Paris attraction cards.
The Palais de la Porte Dorée is located at 293 Avenue Daumesnil in the 12th arrondissement. It is easily reached by taking Metro Line 8 to Porte Dorée.
The aquarium is closed on Mondays. Visit on another weekday for fewer crowds, as the relatively small space can get cramped on weekends and rainy days.
The Aquarium Tropical du Palais de la Porte Dorée makes a convenient stop en route to the Paris Zoological Park, located a short walk away in the Bois de Vincennes—the largest park in Paris. The zoo is a favorite diversion for Parisian families and a great way to get away from the urban crowds for wildlife encounters. Spacious and well-maintained enclosures are arranged on a loop so visitors won't miss any exhibits, featuring African giraffes to monkeys and exotic birds inside a domed tropical zone.
