It is hopefully clear by #MuseumMonday, that I love a good museum! The Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, located in the Parc de la Villette in Paris’s 19ᵗʰ arrondissement, is one of Europe’s largest and most dynamic science museums. It can be seen as the French equivalent of the Science Museum in London, however it does some things better than it’s English counterpart. Its mission is to make science and technology accessible to everyone, from young children to adults, through hands-on, interactive exhibits. The building itself, with its glass-and-steel façade and striking architectural design, reflects the spirit of innovation that lies within. With vast exhibition spaces, immersive shows, and dedicated zones for children, the Cité des Sciences offers something for every kind of visitor. To make the most of your visit, plan to spend at least three to four hours (half a day) if you want to explore thoroughly.
With four floors of learning and galleries (and some amazing areas outside), let’s start at the top with the planetarium. In my mind it is one of Europe’s most impressive venues for exploring the wonders of the universe. Equipped with state-of-the-art digital projection technology, it offers immersive 360-degree shows that transport visitors through space, from the planets of our solar system to distant galaxies. The experience combines stunning visuals, realistic soundscapes, and expert narration to make complex astronomical concepts accessible to all ages. The planetarium also hosts special programs for children, interactive exhibits, and events that reflect the latest scientific discoveries, making it a captivating blend of education and entertainment at the heart of Paris’s science museum. You can attend a show free with your entry tickets, and the show I watched was about the history and cycles of the moon. While the narration was in French (for obvious reasons) the visuals were stunning and you could still follow along. I would certainly sit through another show, and be transported through the solar system again.
The Mathematics Gallery on the next floor down offers an engaging and interactive exploration of mathematical ideas and their presence in everyday life. Designed to make abstract concepts tangible, the gallery features hands-on exhibits, puzzles, and digital installations that invite visitors to experiment with geometry, probability, symmetry, and patterns. Through playful activities and real-world applications, it reveals how mathematics underpins everything from architecture and art to nature and technology. The exhibition also highlights the beauty and creativity of mathematical thinking, encouraging visitors of all ages to see math not just as a set of rules and numbers, but as a universal language that helps us understand and shape the world around us. Despite the fact that this gallery is clearly one of the older ones in the museum, the ability for it to break down complex mathematical problems is commendable and I am ashamed that the Science Museum in London does not do things in a similar way. If they did, perhaps more people would be more willing to give maths a try at higher levels of education.
During my visit in July, there was an exhibition on cats and dogs, which invited visitors to step into the world as seen, smelled, and heard by our favourite furry companions. This was the first part of the museum where the text and interactive displays were trilingual, in French, English and Spanish, which was a trend found throughout the museum. Combining science, interactivity, and a touch of playfulness, the exhibition explored the biology, behaviour, and communication of cats and dogs while challenging common myths about them. Unfortunately, it was only running until 31st August. Through immersive sensory experiences, visitors can compare human and animal perceptions, learn how pets express emotions, and understand the science behind their incredible senses. Developed with input from veterinarians and animal behaviourists, the exhibition celebrates the deep bond between humans and their pets, encouraging empathy and a better understanding of the animals that share our homes and lives. My favourite activities were cat and dog versions of Guess Who? and a game where you matched dogs to their assistance role description. It was extremely accessible and was being enjoyed by a number of families throughout my visit.
The Man and Genes Gallery offers a captivating look into the world of genetics and its profound impact on multiple different aspects of human life. Through multimedia displays and real scientific case studies, the gallery explores how genes shape who we are, our physical traits, health, and even aspects of our behaviour. It delves into the history of genetic research, from the discovery of DNA to the cutting-edge technologies of genetic engineering and personalised medicine. The exhibition also raises important ethical and social questions, encouraging visitors to reflect on the implications of manipulating genetic material. By blending science, education, and reflection, the Man and Genes Gallery helps visitors understand the vital role genetics plays in both the diversity of life and the future of humanity. As someone that works with genetics in amphibians and reptiles, I really enjoyed this gallery in discussing the importance of emerging technologies such as genomics and next gen sequencing, even if the majority of the gallery is a little behind the times. With such a quickly evolving field, unless you have a time machine, it is always going to be obsolete to a certain degree.
The Brain Gallery offers visitors a fascinating journey into the complexities of the human brain, our most mysterious and powerful organ. We often don’t stop to think about what makes us unique and individual, in most cases our brains are to thank for that. This gallery shines a light on the power of this organ and makes you stop and think about it more. Through interactive exhibits, 3D models, and multimedia experiences, visitors can explore how the brain functions, how it processes emotions, memories, and perceptions, and how it develops and changes throughout life. The gallery bridges neuroscience and everyday experience, showing how our thoughts, senses, and behaviours are shaped by intricate neural networks. There are some great images of neurons and other important biological structures in the brain which help communicate how these more simple entities work together to make something as complex as a brain. It also touches on topics such as brain plasticity, mental health, and the impact of technology on cognition.
The Pinhole Gallery (which leads on from the Brain Gallery) is a captivating exploration of light, vision, and perception through the science of optics and the art of illusion. Centred around the camera obscura principle, the gallery demonstrates how a tiny hole can project a clear, inverted image of the outside world, helping visitors understand how both the human eye and cameras capture light. Beyond this, the gallery features a range of optical illusions that playfully challenge how our brains interpret what we see. Through mirrors, reflections, shifting perspectives, and patterns that seem to move or bend, visitors discover the fascinating gap between perception and reality. If you have someone with you, there is even an Ames room that you can have some fun with. By combining scientific inquiry with visual wonder, the gallery transforms the study of light into an engaging, mind-bending experience for all ages. This is extremely well thought out given the previous gallery explains how you perceive things using your brain, and then it challenges those very same concepts.
Another exhibit that was present during my visit was titled Silence. This explores the concept of silence from scientific, sensory, and cultural perspectives, inviting visitors to rediscover the power of quiet in an increasingly noisy world. You are asked to remain silent throughout and given a sound cancelling headset (which is programmed with a number of different languages) and then sent into the exhibition. Through immersive soundscapes, interactive installations, and spaces to sit, the exhibition examines how silence affects the human body and mind, its role in communication, and its presence (or absence) in nature and urban environments. As you move through the exhibit, you are provided instructions, overhead conversations, experience the noise outside a busy hotel, and attend an opera. Each of the soundscapes has a range in which the specific sounds or narration are transmitted to your headset. Some of them such as the example below are pretty obvious, once you step through the thin rope curtain the sound begins, others can be quite jarring as they begin out of nowhere. Blending art and science, Silence encourages a mindful reflection on how moments of stillness contribute to well-being, creativity, and a deeper connection with our surroundings.
The Climate Emergency Gallery is a new permanent display that confronts visitors with the urgent challenges posed by global climate change through an engaging blend of science, interactivity, and reflection. The exhibition explains the mechanisms of climate systems, the role of human activity in global warming, and the far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, weather patterns, and human societies. Through immersive installations, real-world data visualisations, and thought-provoking multimedia content, visitors can grasp both the scale of the crisis and the possibilities for action. The gallery also highlights innovative solutions, from renewable energy and sustainable design to shifts in consumption and policy, that can help mitigate the effects of climate change. I was able to determine my own carbon footprint and the impact my lifestyle was having on the environment, as well as learning about different flood defences and their effectiveness. By encouraging awareness and collective responsibility, the gallery empowers visitors to understand the science, feel the urgency, and imagine a more sustainable future.
The Robots Gallery opens visitors eyes the fascinating world of robotics, showcasing how machines that once belonged to science fiction have become an integral part of modern life. Through interactive displays, lifelike humanoid robots, and working prototypes, the gallery explores the design, programming, and evolution of robots, from industrial automatons to social companions and medical assistants. Visitors can observe how robots move, learn, and interact with their environment, gaining insight into the technologies that drive artificial intelligence and automation. The exhibition also raises questions about the ethical and societal implications of a world increasingly shared with intelligent machines. It was interesting to see the evolution of robots laid out in an accessible way and also contemplate how they are going to be used in the future.
The Space Mission Gallery helps to provide the narrative for an extraordinary journey beyond Earth, exploring the science, technology, and human adventure of space exploration. Through interactive exhibits, scale models, and immersive multimedia displays, the gallery reveals how rockets are launched, how astronauts live and work aboard spacecraft, and how space missions contribute to our understanding of the universe. Visitors can discover the challenges of navigating and surviving in space, and learn about past and future missions, from the first moon landings to Mars exploration and beyond. It was great to see some replicas of some of the rovers we have sent into space and learn about what would be needed to sustain human on future missions such as vertical farming and microgravity. By blending awe-inspiring models and thought with scientific insight, this gallery captures the wonder of discovery and celebrates humanity’s ongoing quest to explore the cosmos in a responsible manner.
La Géode, located within the Parc de la Villette next to the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, is one of Paris’s most striking architectural landmarks and a marvel of modern engineering. Opened in 1985, this giant mirrored sphere (measuring 36 meters in diameter) houses a spectacular hemispheric cinema that once featured one of the world’s largest IMAX screens. Its reflective stainless-steel surface, made up of thousands of triangular panels, beautifully mirrors the surrounding park and sky, creating a constantly changing play of light and colour. Inside, visitors were immersed in breath-taking panoramic films about nature, science, and space, making La Géode both a technological wonder and a cultural icon. Though it has been closed for renovation in recent years, La Géode remains a symbol of innovation, blending art, architecture, and science in a uniquely Parisian way. As you can see in the photo below, I was also distracted by the wetlands it was situated in because they look perfect for amphibians!
Something that I wasn’t expecting to see this far inland, was a retired navy submarine: the Argonaute. Moored permanently outside the museum in the Parc de la Villette, the Argonaute offers visitors a rare opportunity to step inside a real submarine and experience what life was like for its crew beneath the sea. Inside, visitors can explore the control room, crew quarters, torpedo room, and engine area, all preserved to reflect their original condition. Informative displays and audio guides explain how the submarine operated, the daily routines of the sailors, and the technological innovations that made underwater navigation and communication possible during its years of service. The Argonaute (S636) was a Daphné-class submarine launched in 1958 and commissioned into the French Navy in 1961. Designed for surveillance and anti-submarine missions, it served for nearly 25 years during the height of the Cold War, operating mainly in the Mediterranean Sea. After being decommissioned in 1982, the Argonaute was preserved as a museum piece thanks to efforts by the French Navy and the Cité des Sciences, which sought to make naval technology accessible to the public. In 1989, the submarine was transported through Paris (what I imagine must have been an extraordinary logistical feat) and installed in its current location. Today, the Argonaute stands as both a historical artifact and an educational exhibit, honouring France’s maritime heritage while inspiring curiosity about ocean exploration and naval engineering.
For families, the Cité des Enfants is a highlight and a destination in itself. Divided into two sections (one for ages 2–7 year olds and another for 5–10 year olds), this area transforms science into a playground of discovery. Children can build structures, explore the human body, experiment with water, and engage in role-playing activities that make learning intuitive and fun. Each age group has a dedicated environment designed for safety and engagement. Every exhibit encourages observation, imagination, and problem-solving, allowing children to become little scientists through experimentation and teamwork. The exhibits are designed with the help of educators, psychologists, and scientists to ensure that every activity promotes learning through sensory engagement and active participation. Parents and educators are encouraged to accompany children, turning each visit into a shared moment of exploration and wonder. Parents should note that this section often requires advance booking and can become quite busy during weekends or school holidays, so scheduling a session early in the day is a good idea. During my visit, it went from being empty to full during my quick visit to the Argonaute.
For older visitors, students, or anyone looking for a quieter environment, the museum’s library and digital innovation spaces (including the Fab Lab and Living Lab) offer opportunities for deeper exploration. The library houses an extensive collection of scientific resources, while the Fab Lab encourages hands-on creativity with tools for digital fabrication and experimentation. These spaces are less about spectacle and more about discovery at your own pace, making them a good choice for those who prefer a reflective experience over the energetic bustle of the main exhibits. Like with the Cats and Dogs exhibition, the museum hosts a range of temporary exhibitions on current scientific and technological topics, ranging from climate change to robotics and artificial intelligence. These are often among the most thought-provoking parts of a visit, as they tackle issues that are shaping the modern world. As temporary exhibits rotate regularly, it’s worth checking the museum’s website before visiting to see what’s on. Many of these exhibitions feature large-scale installations and interactive media, providing a fresh experience even for returning visitors.
In the basement, the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie also has an aquarium. This offers a fascinating glimpse into the hidden world beneath the water’s surface, combining science, ecology, and beauty in a single immersive experience. Designed to help visitors understand aquatic ecosystems, the aquarium showcases a diverse range of freshwater and marine species, from colourful fish and corals to fascinating invertebrates. Each tank highlights a specific environment (rivers, lakes, or oceans) illustrating how different organisms adapt to their habitats and interact within complex ecosystems. Displays explain the importance of water conservation, biodiversity, and the delicate balance that sustains life underwater. Unfortunately, during my visit the Aquarium was closed and several of the galleries I wanted to visit such as Bio-inspired and Tech Through Time were closed for renovations, so please do make sure you check ahead of time and don’t take it for granted that a gallery will be open or available for your visit.
To make the most of your time, it’s best to arrive early in the day to avoid crowds and queues. A good route is to begin with the permanent galleries, take a break at the café or outdoor park area, and then move on to a planetarium show. If time allows, end with some of the temporary exhibitions. The museum is easily accessible by public transport, Metro lines 5 and 7 both stop nearby and offers plenty of nearby green space for picnics or a short walk after your visit. Overall, the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie is far more than a traditional museum, it’s a living, breathing centre of curiosity. Its interactivity sets it apart from other Paris attractions and other museums. Here, you don’t just look at science, you experience it. Whether you’re exploring with children, visiting with friends, or visiting alone with a curious mind, this is a place that celebrates discovery in its most engaging form. Given that I didn’t get the chance to see everything, I would happily visit the museum again in the future.
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