The Marine Research Institute, now the Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute, was founded in 1966 by Paul Ricard and Alain Bombard and is the only example in France and in Europe of sponsorship of oceanographic research.

The Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute, with its intense research activities and its lectures on fauna, flora, the sea, the coastline, conservation, information and education for children, fulfils the dual purpose of carrying out research and raising public awareness.

In conjunction with its partners, it leads a number of pilot operations in the Mediterranean.

• Operation “Objective Cetaceans”studying the finback whale with WWF France.
• Research into the quality of coastal waters, study and monitoring of underwater ecosystems within the European Natura 2000 programme.
• Hatchery studies on the reproduction of the sea horse, the sea urchin, the Mediterranean pen shell (the largest shell in the Mediterranean) with the support of the Caisse d’Epargne savings bank.
• Research, financed by the Roquette group, on the production of marine organisms, such as spiruline, micro-algae which might provide a solution to problems of malnutrition.
• Study on the impact of desalination of sea water for Véolia.

And finally, in association with director Christian Pétron (Cinémarine), the Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute provides the scientific content for several films on biodiversity in the Mediterranean. Le Galaban, the legendary boat of the Institute, accompanies the film crew and scientists on their mission to raise the awareness of the public at large. 

These films are supported by the Departmental Council of the Var, the Departmental Council of the Bouches-du-Rhône, the PACA Regional Council, Toulon-Provence-Méditerranée, the city of Marseille, the Rhône-Méditerranée and Corsica Water Board, Total Foundation, Véolia Environnement, Paul Ricard Company, the Lions Club of Aubagne and Nomade.

PAUL RICARD OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE
Ile des Embiez - Le Brusc 83 140 Six-Fours-les-Plages
Tel.: +33 (0)4 94 34 02 49 Fax: +33 (0)4 94 74 46 45

embiez@institut-paul-ricard.org

Visit the website

www.institut-paul-ricard.org

Paul Ricard Museum-Environment Museum

Just a little further on, when you go head down towards the harbour, why not stop for a while: discover the peace and quiet in the Paul Ricard Museum, in a truly maritime atmosphere. Comfortably ensconced in “Waff”, large pouffes you can sink into, enjoy an introduction to “The World of Silence” and watch documentaries on the protection of the environment.

The Paul Ricard islands adhere to the principles of sustainable development, in order to protect the heritage and ensure that it is passed on in the best possible condition (see the special activities in our diary).