The National Sea Center, located in Boulogne-sur-Mer, recorded 298,060 visitors over the months of July and August 2026, with 130,409 entries in July and 167,651 in August.
An attendance level that remained stable compared to the previous summer, in a context nonetheless marked by unusually favorable weather for outdoor activities along the Opal Coast.
“This stability in summer attendance is a positive signal. It confirms the visitors’ interest in Nausicaá and in the experiences we offer around the Ocean“, commented Christophe Sirugue, Chief Executive of Nausicaá.
A largely French clientele
Foreign visitors are notably driven by Belgian guests, who alone account for half of the international attendance.
On the French side, Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France, and Grand Est are the three main regions of origin for visitors.
These figures illustrate Nausicaá’s prominence within the Opal Coast’s tourism offering, as well as its reach beyond the regional territory.
Vent d’Opale finds its audience
In its first season, 13,100 tickets were sold. A launch that broadens Nausicaá’s tourism offering beyond its exhibition spaces.
“The initial results of Vent d’Opale show that demand is indeed present. This success reinforces our decision to offer this new experience, which allows you to discover the coastline and the Ocean differently“, states Marc Lecointe, Deputy General Director – Customer Experience, Commercial, Vessel & Territory Animation.
With this first season, the vessel aims to establish itself in the long term as a new component of Nausicaá’s tourism offering and, more broadly, of the Boulogne territory.
Nearly 684,000 visitors since January
After a stable summer and the successful launch of Vent d’Opale, the National Sea Center continues its attendance momentum in 2026.
The facility also aims to embed this attendance within its mission to raise awareness about issues related to the Ocean, seeking to showcase its ecosystems and to strengthen their knowledge and preservation.
Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Writer See all articles by Amelia Brille
