An aquarium and an animation studio might seem like a bizarre combination, but there's a good story behind this extremely cool space. Empty for years, this underground extension of the Palais Chaillot was historically designated as an aquarium, which forced the new owner, a Japanese investor who wanted to open an animation studio, to include fish in his floor plan. So, interspersed with tanks containing some 9,000 fish are scores of screens with constantly running cartoons, movie trailers, and interviews with special effects artists and others in the movie biz. There are scores of workshops for kids in makeup, animation, and whatever temporary exhibition is showing at the moment (to request one in English, call ahead). To keep adults busy, there are full-length films showing on big screens twice daily (check the Web site for times). A huge tank full of small sharks serves the same purpose, with lounge chairs positioned in front for little and big kids, both of whom seem to love the set-up. There is also an upscale restaurant, Ozu, serving—yes—sushi and other Japanese specialties.
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