Musée océanographique de Monaco

The Oceanographic Museum stands atop an 85-meter cliff overlooking the Mediterranean and was founded in 1889 by Prince Albert I of Monaco, himself a marine researcher who led numerous expeditions. The monumental Belle Epoque building of white stone was inaugurated in 1910 after eleven years of construction. For years the institute was directed by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who took over in 1957. Today it houses one of Europe's oldest and largest public aquariums, with sharks, Red Sea coral reefs and Mediterranean species across some hundred tanks. Upper halls display whale skeletons, models of research vessels and curiosities from the princely collections. The rooftop terrace looks out over Monaco's harbor and cliffs.