The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is built directly into a cliffside and was directed by Jacques Cousteau for 31 years.

The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, also known as the Musée Océanographique, is a masterpiece of Beaux-Arts architecture that took 11 years to build. It required 100,000 tons of stone from the village of La Turbie to complete its massive structure. Perched on the Rock of Monaco, the museum's foundation descends deep into the cliffside to ensure stability against the Mediterranean waves.Jacques-Yves Cousteau took over as director in 1957 and used the platform to advocate for the protection of the oceans. During his 31-year tenure, he introduced the public to his famous research vessel, the Calypso, and showcased advanced diving technology. His leadership turned the museum into a prestigious scientific institution recognized by the International Hydrographic Bureau.One of the museum's most significant scientific achievements occurred in 1989 when it became one of the first institutions to successfully reproduce coral in a closed circuit. This was previously considered an impossible feat by marine biologists. Today, the aquarium features a 'Shark Lagoon' containing 450,000 liters of seawater, maintaining a delicate ecosystem for some of the world's most endangered marine species.