The Institut océanographique de Paris (French pronunciation: [ɛ̃stity ɔseanɔɡʁafik də paʁi], lit.

[2] The organization's founder, Albert I, Prince of Monaco, wanted to spread his knowledge and interest in oceanography, and as early as 1903 began teaching classes of the subject at the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers.

The latter is linked by a symbolic double arch (the Earth and the Ocean) to the Oceanographic Institute.

The building's style is an Italian Renaissance palace in brick and stone, flanked by a tall square tower, which is similar to many others in the area.

This building includes two amphitheatres, three laboratories corresponding to three courses (physical oceanography, marine biology and physiology of marine biodiversity), a specialized library-media library, breeding grounds in the basement and official accommodation (managerial apartment and caretaker's studio).