All summer long, the city of the sea in traveling exhibition in the Cotentin

Two containers are stranded on Albert-Pèlerin square, in the heart of the village of Montebourg (Manche). With their bright blue color, it is impossible to miss them. From the opening, this Tuesday morning, a class arrives: sixteen students of sixth school in the abbey college, located a few minutes away. Chloé Van Leynseele, the scientific mediator who welcomes them, immediately announces the program: “In the first container, half of you will go to diving in Indonesia,” she explains. Meanwhile, the others will participate in a playful animation, then we will reversed. »»

This exclusive system, labeled “Year of the sea” by the State, was launched in early April by the Cité de la Mer, the famous tourism and cultural establishment created in 2002 in Cherbourg. “Even if the coast is only a few kilometers away, there are many people on the Cotentin territory which, for economic, social or physical reasons, remain distant,” explains its director Alexandre Lanoë. Hence the idea of ​​moving from commune to commune to make them discover the marine environment. »»

Deep immersion

Long black hair and torn jean, Ketura, 11, sits in an armchair in front of a porthole and draws itself from a virtual reality headset. “Welcome aboard the new ocean exploration submarine of the city of the sea in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin,” launches the voiceover. Are you solidly installed? Come on, today, we are going to navigate full east and join the Corail triangle. »»

Behind the glasses, Ketura seems a little disoriented. “It’s weird, I feel like I move in real life,” she is surprised. Before his eyes parade from sharks, turtles and multicolored corals from Raja Ampat waters, in Western Papua. “This little piece of ocean houses one of the biggest concentrations of life in the world,” says the film. More than 1,000 species of fish live there and almost three -quarters of known coral species. An exceptional ecosystem, today threatened by pollution and overfishing, recalls the voiceover … “Did it go well?” “Asks them Chloé at the end of the film. A unanimous yes resonates. “I had the impression of finding the sensations I had known in Reunion, swimming with fish and turtles,” enthuses Louka, 11.

It is time to go to the educational workshop. “Have you ever heard of plastic oceans?” As their asks Dorine Morineau, the second mediator. Yann, a small red -haired red, hastens to raise his hand. “Yes, these tons of plastic float on the surface of the oceans,” he explains. Dorine then plans on the big screen, at the bottom, the famous work of Tony Cragg, Palette, Made in 1985 from plastic waste. It is then up to students to make their own creation on large cardboard sheets where silhouettes of marine animals are drawn. “It’s Ali Baba’s barracks!” “Exclaims one of them, leaning over the boxes filled with bottle caps, pieces of fishing wires and other small detritus. “Cave”, corrects another.

Their work finished, the students display a satisfied air. “We had already done this kind of thing in plastic arts,” says Ketura. But this time, it made me want to pay attention to the environment and recycle my waste. »»

Touch different audiences

The inhabitants, themselves, ask to be convinced. “For people who have no means of transport, I find that good,” emphasizes Fabienne, 65 years old. But it is a shame that internet booking is the only option. »Another black point several times noted: the cost. “10 euros for an adult and 8 euros for a child, it is too expensive, pleads Raphaël, a resident attached to a nearby terrace. For this price, you might as well go straight to Cherbourg. »»

Nevertheless, for the mayor of the village, the operation is a way to energize the territory. “Even if people are always a little chilly when it comes to cultural approach, it is important to offer them a varied offer to reach different audiences,” insists Jean-Pierre Mauquest. “It is also a real plus for trade. The list of volunteer municipalities to welcome the tour until the end of September was quick to fill up. Applications are already open for next year.