For five families supported by Secours Catholique, the coming days will bring a rare opportunity: three days immersed in the wonders of the Mediterranean, courtesy of Monaco’s Oceanographic Institute. The initiative, part of the Oceano for All – Family programme, is designed for parents and children who may have never set foot on a beach or sailed on the open sea. Seventeen participants will follow a tailor-made itinerary mixing science, exploration and hands-on learning, all with the goal of fostering a lasting connection with the marine world.
Secours Catholique’s Aix-en-Provence–Arles branch helped select the families and organise their travel, underlining the partnership’s shared belief that access to nature — and to holidays — should not be a privilege. “Thanks to our volunteers and the Oceanographic Institute, we’re turning the right to a holiday into a reality for those who are farthest from it,” said Didier Duriez, president of Secours Catholique–Caritas France.
Over three days, the group will alternate between shore-based learning and marine excursions. Plans include whale-watching, snorkelling, guided tours of the Oceanographic Museum, and a close look at its Mediterranean 2050 exhibition. Workshops on plastic pollution and virtual reality explorations of protected areas will round out the programme, blending cutting-edge technology with environmental education.
The Association of Friends of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is funding the project with €450,000, covering accommodation, meals and supervision. Director General Robert Calcagno said the experience is meant to leave a deep impression: “Shared moments of wonder can spark a personal bond with the ocean that lasts a lifetime.” A second session is already pencilled in for October 20 to 23, signalling the Institute’s intention to make inclusive access to ocean science a fixture of its work.
