Clever sea-lions, tropical fish you can virtually dive in with, perky penguins and huge sharks – they’re all there for you to discover at Nausicaa in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

It takes only around half an hour to drive down the coast from Calais to the walled seaside town and once there you can spend several hours getting to know our seas worldwide at the centre, which is on the seafront itself.

In fact it’s so close to the sea, that there is a viewing area for the public on the beach outside the centre to join visitors watching the sea lions diving, clapping and performing impressive feats.

The French National Sea Centre in Boulogne celebrates its 26th anniversary this year and has attracted more than 15 million visitors in that time.

You can get immersed for hours in the warren of rooms and exhibits, many of which inform visitors on the need for conservation, climate change and ecological efforts.

Look out for the viewing holes in the centre’s own reef where you can stand on steps to pop your head up into a bubble where you can see the hundreds of colourful tropical fish – little ones will be able to see Nemo and Dory’s cousins up close!

The trip ends with a finale as you meet the five Californian sea lions who live in a pool containing more than one million litres of water – and who love to playfully swim under the glass floor and around the sides of the viewing area before you step out onto the display section where you can see them perform.

Also at the centre are plenty of other creatures, which don’t live in the seas.

They include two Aldabra giant tortoises and for this year, joining the giant aquariums, housing sea life from turtles to seahorses and pipefish to octopus, there is also the Tropical Forest, featuring yellow frogs, green snakes and blue and even purple geckos.

NAUSICAA: THE FACTS

The centre has more than 36,000 fish and other marine creatures from tiny plankton up to huge sharks.

It is based in Boulogne, France’s leading fishing port and principal centre for fish-food preparation.

Nothing is on sale in the bars, boutique and bookshop which harms marine life.

Nausicaa's mission is to raise awareness of the need to manage the oceans in a sustainable way and to encourage people to be responsible and keep the ocean’s resources for future generations.

More details at www.nausicaa.co.uk