Exhibitions
At the Cité des sciences
The permanent exhibitions at the Cité cover some 20,000 square metres. They are organized around two main themes :
- the fundamentals of science: 6,000 sq m of reference exhibitions, including three essential subjects: the universe and matter (The story of the universe, opened in 2008), life forms (opening soon) and cultures (opening soon)
- sustainable development and innovations: 4,000 sq m of exhibitions exploring the convergence of sustainable development, science and innovation.
Other attractions include:
- the temporary exhibitions
- the Science Actualités area covering the latest science news
- the Cité des Enfants areas for children
- an aquarium
- a submarine
Permanent exhibitions on fundamentals
- The story of the universe
The origin of matter and the physical laws of the universe.
- Man and his genes
Evolution, heredity, and how our genes make up what we are…
- Mathematics
How to comprehend movement, calculate probability or model physical phenomena…
- Light games
Simple and surprising experiments with light, vision and optical illusions.
- Sounds
The physical properties of sound, the voice and hearing, and the sounds all around us.
- Images
Fun installations where you can manipulate images and learn to decipher them.
Sustainable development and innovations
- Earthwatch : the satellite revolution
Striking images illustrate the conquest of space and the technologies developed to observe and monitor our planet.
- Innovations gallery
A permanent part of this exhibition explores the notion of innovation. Another part showcases a selection of innovations that promote sustainable development and improve our safety.
- Energy (in 2010), a permanent exhibition on the major challenge of the 21st century
- the Techno-gallery (in 2010), focusing on uses of new technologies
- Mobility (in 2011)
Temporary exhibitions
Over 5,000 square metres are given over to temporary exhibitions. They usually tie in with thematic cycles, for example :
- sustainable development: Managing the planet (2003-2006)
- world health: Epidemik, an infectious exhibition (2008-2010)
Science Actualités
An area devoted to the latest science news, with multimedia reports by science journalists. It also presents temporary exhibitions on subjects linking science and society. Examples :
- The economic crisis and after… (in 2009)
- Biodiversity: the end of wildlife? (in 2010)
- Bioethics: new ways to make babies (in 2010)
The Cité des Enfants
Two activity areas where children have fun getting to grips with simple science.
- Cité des Enfants for 2-7 year-olds
- Cité des Enfants for 5-12 year-olds
The aquarium
The Cité's aquarium contains over 40 species of Mediterranean marine life.
At the Palais de la découverte
Temporary exhibitions
There is always something new at the Palais de la Découverte, as it stages around 12 temporary shows each year, in 6,000 square metres of exhibition space.
Their subject matter ranges from fundamentals to recent scientific developments or technological innovations.
Permanent exhibition area
The permanent exhibitions cover 12,000 square metres. Visitors can perform experiments themselves or watch spectacular demonstrations by explainers. These demonstrations are what makes the Palais special, and are a key component of its methodology.
The Palais de la Découverte is much more than a museum full of objects. It is first and foremost a place where visitors can talk to scientific explainers, a place where they can understand science, grasp its principles, and experience science in the making.
A scientific community
Discussion, demonstration, explanation. These are the core values of the Palais de la Découverte, implemented every day by its scientific explainers.
The Palais de la Découverte is above all a scientific community which relies on human beings to communicate its passion for science and captivate its visitors.
Around 19,000 demonstrations are given each year.
