In 1932, Nobel prizewinner Jean Perrin begins working on the project for a science museum originally proposed by André Léveillé, vice-president of the Confedération of Intellectual Workers
In 1937, the International Exposition of Art and Technology in Modern Life is held in Paris. A temporary science exhibition entitled "le Palais de la découverte" opens on 24 May. It is housed in the west wing of the Grand Palais and in a nearby annex built for the occasion.
Determined to show science in a lively way, Jean Perrin creates a dynamic exhibition covering all the sciences.
By 5 September the Palais de la découverte has received 1 million visitors.
By 30 October the Palais has received 2 million visitors. It will soon become a permanent museum.
Jean Perrin
French physicist Jean Perrin (1870-1942) is awarded the Nobel prize in 1926 for his work on the atom.
After the Palais de la découverte opens in 1937, Perrin focuses on popularizing science through experiments performed in front of visitors, or by the visitors themselves.
His aim is "to show science in the making, open laboratories to the public, enable visitors to witness demonstrations and discoveries". He is particularly keen to spark an interest in science among young people.
The Palais since 1937
The museum soon features new exhibitions. Animal biology: sexuality opens in 1939, followed by Termites in 1940.
In 1940 the Palais de la découverte becomes an institute of the University of Paris.
In August 1944 the Grand Palais is damaged by fire during the Liberation of Paris.
In 1957 a Nuclear Energy section opens.
In 1962 a new Electrostatics section opens.
In 1967 new Radio astronomy, Thermodynamics and Geology sections open.
In 1970 new Space and Meteorology sections open.
In 1971 a new Electronics section opens.
In August 1971 the Palais hosts Bels, decibels and phons, a Franco-Czechoslovak exhibition organized with the National Technical Museum in Prague. This event marks the beginning of travelling exhibitions and cooperation between science museums.
In 1974 the Man and his food section opens.
In 1981 the Computer science section opens.
In 1982 President François Mitterrand presents the Palais de la Découverte with the gold medal of the science committee of the Fondation de France.
In 1988 a new section opens: Biology in the service of man.
In 1988 President François Mitterrand celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Palais de la découverte.
In 1989 the Eureka room is opened by Minister of Education Lionel Jospin.
In 1994 the new Planetarium opens.
In 1996 the Palais opens the Cybermétropole, where visitors can explore the Internet.
In 2007 the Palais de la découverte marks its 70th anniversary by holding a symposium, Do you like science?
