Visiting rules - Aquarium La Rochelle

These regulations apply to the entire site of the Aquarium La Rochelle, an establishment classified as 1st category ERP:

To visitors, clients of the site and guests
Any person from outside the site who is present in the establishment for professional reasons.

Visitor safety is of prime importance, and our security service and reception staff are constantly adapting to government recommendations. All our teams are trained and made aware of the need to evacuate or confine the public in the event of major acts of malice, fire or terrorist attacks. We thank the public for respecting these rules, which are also available in English at: aquarium-larochelle.com.

Article 1 : General regulations

Authorised staff ensure that these rules are applied. In the event of non-compliance with the rules and regulations, and in particular when the breaches observed disturb the safety of people and property, the Aquarium La Rochelle team may decide to expel the offender(s) from the site without any claim for reimbursement.

Visits are subject to possession of a valid admission ticket. Visitors must not misplace their ticket, as they may be asked to show it at any time. Aquarium admission tickets are valid only once and for only one person, until the validity date stated on the back. They may not be taken back, exchanged or refunded without the agreement of the Management. Entrance ticket holders must access the visit via the access control provided for this purpose, and use the exit indicated in the visitors’ gallery.

Visits last an average of 1.5 hours and visitors are informed accordingly. The cash desks close 1 hour 30 minutes before the site closes. The site is open 365 days a year. Exceptional closing times are indicated on the website: www.aquarium-larochelle.com

In the event of overcrowding, disturbances or any other situation endangering the safety of people or property, ticket sales may be halted in whole or in part, entry to the exhibition may be interrupted, the site may be closed in whole or in part at any time during the day, or opening times may be changed. No refund of entry tickets may be claimed under the terms of this article.

Tickets and any other rights are non-exchangeable, non-refundable, revocable and void if altered. The resale of tickets is prohibited.

The Management reserves the right to refuse entry to the establishment and to exclude any person whose appearance or behaviour does not comply with basic civic rules and site regulations.

Article 2 : Site rules

Visitors are asked:

Not to behave in a rowdy, violent, aggressive or indecent manner;
To wear correct and decent clothing (e.g. no swimming costumes or bare chests);
To give priority to people with reduced mobility. (Access to cash desks, lifts, etc.);
Not to smoke (electronic cigarettes or any other product emitting vapour are prohibited throughout the site);
Not to affix graffiti, inscriptions, marks, dirt or damage anywhere on the site;
Not to run nor use wheeled equipment such as skateboards, bicycles, skates, shoes with integrated wheels, scooters, etc.
Not to disturb other visitors by making noisy noises. Listening to electronic devices, using sound instruments, etc. are prohibited;
Not to spit in aquarium water or on the floor, or throw chewing gum;
Not to knock on the aquarium windows or use objects or products likely to damage them (keys, jewellery, perfume, etc.);
Not to throw projectiles at the aquarium windows or approach a heat source (lighter flame, hot-source lamp, etc.);
Not to throw or drop anything in the aquariums (paper, rubbish, coins, etc.), and if you do, report it immediately to the reception staff;
Not to hang anything over the aquariums;
Not to use flashlights, laser pointers or other lights such as torches or telephones;
Not to touch the water in aquariums;
Not to feed the animals;
Not to eat or drink during the visit;
Not to leave food or packaging behind;
Not to take part in collections, petitions or demonstrations, or cause gatherings;
Not to engage in any commercial, advertising, propaganda or soliciting activity;

Safety instructions:

Do not leave children unsupervised, otherwise the Aquarium La Rochelle cannot be held responsible. Visitors under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a visitor aged 18 or over;
Do not climb over the safety barriers, sit or stand on the railings or place children on the ledges;
Do not bend over or lean a child over the surface of the water;
Respect all the specific instructions and prohibition signs posted along the tour route;
Report any accident, discomfort or abnormal event to a receptionist. In the event of discomfort or accident, people are cared for by site staff trained in SST. They are forbidden to move the sick or injured person, make them drink or administer any medication before the arrival of the emergency services. If one of the visitors is a doctor, a nurse or a first-aider, who can provide proof of their status, they must remain with the patient or casualty until they are evacuated; they are asked to leave their name and address with the staff on site;
Not to obstruct public traffic or hinder access to the site in any way whatsoever;
Not to obstruct, for any reason whatsoever, the fire brigade access routes, fire hydrants, emergency exits and, more generally, the equipment used to ensure the safety of the site and the public;
In the event of a fire, the utmost calm must be observed. Everyone is required to lend a helping hand to the staff when the assistance of visitors is required, in accordance with article R642-1 of the French Penal Code;
All persons, bags, packages or other items may be subject to security checks at the entrance to the site, but also inside, depending on the circumstances or in response to requests from the public authorities. Aquarium staff reserve the right to prohibit visitors from bringing bags, parcels or other items inside the site;

Article 3 : Prohibited items in the visit

Wheeled equipment such as skateboards, bicycles, skates, shoes with integrated wheels, scooters, etc.
Pushchairs larger than 92 cm x 132 cm (36‘ x 52’);
Any type of trailer or trolley;
Suitcases, coolers and rucksacks, with or without wheels, exceeding the following dimensions: 60 cm long x 40 cm wide x 20 cm high;
Weapons of any kind, or objects that can be used as weapons (even if they are fake or harmless), any dangerous object or product;
In general, any bulky or noisy object;
Alcoholic beverages or any illegal substance;
Any object that the Aquarium La Rochelle considers inappropriate or disruptive;
The Management reserves the right to prohibit buggies from entering the exhibition on busy days for reasons of safety and comfort;

Article 4 : Animals

All animals are prohibited, with the exception of guide and assistance dogs in accordance with the ministerial order of 25 March 2004, published in the Journal Officiel of 1 April 2004. Assistance animals must remain under the control of their owner at all times and must wear a cape, waistcoat or harness and remain under the control of their owner, who must present the animal’s identification card.

Article 5 : Use of cameras

No flash photography. No use of selfie sticks;
The taking of photos, videos, images and sound for professional purposes is subject to prior authorisation from the Management.

Article 6 : Personal belongings

Visitors are responsible for their personal belongings (clothing, bags, glasses, cameras, etc.) and cannot take any legal action against the Aquarium La Rochelle in the event of disappearance or damage. The Aquarium La Rochelle cannot be held responsible for items left in the cloakroom.

Article 7 : Group rules

The person in charge of the group undertakes to ensure compliance with all these rules and to guarantee the discipline of the group, which must under no circumstances disturb other visitors.

School groups are the responsibility of their teacher(s) and/or supervisor(s), who must ensure that their pupils behave appropriately and remain close to the group.

Specific ‘Group’ rules are given to the person in charge, who undertakes to apply them properly

Article 8 : Vidéo surveillance

Visitors are informed by means of statutory notices displayed within the Aquarium La Rochelle that a CCTV system has been installed in order to guarantee the safety of visitors and staff as well as the protection of buildings and installations. This installation complies with articles L.223-1 to L223-9, L.251-1 to L.255-1, L.613-13, R.223-2 to R.251- 12, R.252-2 to R.252-12 and R.253-1 to R.253-4 of the French Internal Security Code and decree no. 96-926 of 17 October 1996 relating to video surveillance, governed by a prefectoral authorisation.

Article 9 : Application of these rules

The Aquarium La Rochelle cannot be held responsible, in the event of an accident, for failure to comply with these prohibitions. All safety instructions are displayed, please respect them;

Any incident occurring without respecting the instructions may not lead to recourse against the establishment;

Visitors are required to comply with any comments made to them by Aquarium La Rochelle staff for service or safety reasons;

It is forbidden for any visitor without authorisation to enter areas not accessible to visitors;

Failure to comply with these rules may result in the visitor’s exclusion from the establishment and, if necessary, in legal action and compensation.