Tout Oceano

The Story of the Maison de l'Océan

The façade of the Maison de l'Océan, rue Saint-Jacques in Paris

Opened in 1911, the Institut océanographique was conceived as a place to study and teach the ocean sciences. For a long time it was the most prestigious establishment of its kind, renowned for the quality of its cutting-edge research equipment.

Now renamed the “Maison de l’Océan” and host to countless events, our address brings together on its floors many of the major players in Ocean protection, making it a true environmental “hub”.

Raison d'être of the Maison de l'Océan

The Maison de l’Océan embodies the original vision of its founder, Albert I: “To know, love and protect the Ocean”.

A place of academic and scientific exchange, particularly attentive to the link between the private sector and environmental advocates, it raises awareness of today’s major marine issues among the general public and decision-makers.

Discover our missions
The entrance door of the Institut océanographique in Paris, beneath its wrought-iron arch adorned with a bronze octopus
Detail of a stained-glass window of the Maison de l'Océan: a rosette of gilded foliage set in lead
Vintage postcard: the inauguration of the Institut océanographique on 23 January 1911
Vintage postcard: the Laboratoire d'Océanographie Biologique, in Paris

A heritage devoted to the Ocean

The use of each space is illustrated by its ornamentation: the façade is adorned with sculpted marine motifs, the secretariat plunges visitors into an underwater landscape, and the Great Amphitheatre is decorated with fishing and navigation scenes.

Discover the building's architecture
Mural in the Maison de l'Océan depicting a whale hunting scene.
Painted medallion in shades of blue, depicting a navigation scene.

The Maison within the Tout Oceano

The Maison de l’Océan is part of the Tout Oceano ecosystem, which brings together the Oceanographic Institute and its various places of action around a shared ambition: to help people know, love and protect the Ocean.

The façade of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco seen from the sea, rising from the cliff.

Oceanographic Museum

An iconic venue dedicated to discovering the marine world, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco helps young and old alike appreciate the richness of the Ocean and the challenges of preserving it.

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Participants of the Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025 gathered on stage.

Oceanographic Institute

As the Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, the Oceanographic Institute brings together those working to understand and protect the Ocean, through its outreach, education and mobilisation initiatives.

Discover the Institute

Explore the Maison

Discover the Maison de l’Océan, its history, its missions, and the people who bring this emblematic place in the heart of Paris to life.

Our mission

Making the Maison de l’Océan a place for encounters, knowledge sharing and mobilisation to protect the Ocean.

The gate of the Institut océanographique, its carved octopus above the wooden doors.
Signing of a partnership agreement in the Institute’s library.

Our residents

Discover the organisations and committed players who bring the Maison de l’Océan to life and contribute, each in their own way, to protecting our planet.

Thesis prize ceremony, the laureates lined up on stage with their diplomas.

Our news

Find the events, projects and initiatives that set the pace of life at the Maison de l’Océan.