Nice Turns Blue with La Baleine, the Spectacular Ocean-Themed Immersive Installation

Until June 13, 2025, the Palais des Expositions in Nice becomes a vast “ocean village” thanks to La Baleine, a 10,000-square-meter experience combining science, art and environmental engagement. This initiative serves as a prelude to the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 2025) and offers free access with simple registration, either online or on site.

Far more than a traditional exhibition, La Baleine is a dynamic meeting point for citizens, researchers, activists and international delegates from 193 countries.

Thematic Journey through Ocean Challenges and Wonders

At the heart of the installation are 15 interactive pavilions, each focusing on a major theme for the future of our oceans: biodiversity, polar ecosystems, sustainable fishing, ocean literacy, climate change, blue economy, ocean governance and more.

Visitors can enjoy immersive experiences with VR, 360° video, panoramic projections, and artistic installations that allow them to dive deep beneath the surface or soar above coral reefs.

The “Cabinet of Curiosities” showcases a unique collection of marine-related items: mini submarines, scientific tools, traditional canoes, and rare objects that tell the story of humanity’s relationship with the ocean.

La Vague: When the Ocean Watches Us

Among the most emotional highlights, La Vague is an immersive path that shifts the perspective: from observing the ocean to feeling part of it. Beginning with the “Passage of Lights” and culminating in the famous Spilhaus map showing one continuous global ocean, the experience invites a shift in consciousness.

Photographer Laurent Ballesta enhances this journey with breathtaking images that capture the ocean’s breath across three climate zones: polar, temperate, and tropical.

A Program for Everyone: Learning, Entertainment, and Sustainability

La Baleine offers a rich, inclusive schedule designed for all ages:

• Panels and conferences with UN agencies, NGOs, scientists and startups

• Educational workshops and games for schools and families

• Performances, concerts and shows inspired by marine life

• Escape games and interactive quizzes for young visitors

The experience is rounded out with sustainable food areas, a marine-themed bookstore and a curated boutique to take home a piece of the ocean.