The Science Festival, a major annual rendezvous that has brought together the public and the scientific community for more than 30 years. This year, under the theme "Savants' Flavors", hundreds of activities, exhibitions, festivals open to all are being offered for free, from October 2 to 12, 2026.
The main aim of this major scientific event is to showcase the work of researchers and scientists. But it's also about raising public awareness of issues that affect them. By organizing numerous activities adapted to children, the participating institutions also hope to interest young people in complex but fascinating subjects, and - who knows - perhaps inspire vocations!
In Paris and the Ile-de-France region, during these October days, you can take advantage of a wide range of events at museums, schools, scientific laboratories and cultural centers in the region.
And you, are you more into mineral exhibitions, science festival orescape game? In Palaiseau, the whole town tunes into science. From École Polytechnique to the C2N, there’s something for every age and every passion. Discover what’s in store.
C2N Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies
35th edition of the Science Festival: the vast possibilities of the infinitesimal! Get ready for fascination and wonder.
Step beyond the limits of what the eye can see. For one exclusive day, become an explorer of the ultra-small. Our scientists and presenters invite you on a fascinating journey into the heart of nanoscience and nanotechnology—those invisible revolutions reshaping our world. From solar panels to quantum computers and electronic chips, nanoscience and nanotechnology touch a multitude of everyday applications, yet they remain largely unfamiliar. Through live demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops, and chats with our experts, come decode the technologies of tomorrow. The future is waiting, and it’s microscopic! Venture into the mysteries of the infinitesimal beyond what the naked eye can reveal.
Find the full schedule here
Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 3–6 years, 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25+ years
• Conditions: Free admission
Hours: Sunday, October 4 — 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The vast possibilities of the infinitesimally small!
Workshops for ages 7 and up:
Discover science through hands-on practice with small experiments in physics and chemistry covering magnetism, electricity, optics, pressure, and the physics and chemistry of gases, nanoscience, and much more. Learn computer programming with ARDUINO, all guided by scientists. Your turn to play!
ESCAPE GAME: (8-11 years) “Mission Mars” (Educational project led with L1 students from the Institut Villebon Charpak).
On-site registration at the reception 1:45-2:45 PM 3:00-4:00 PM 4:15-5:15 PM
From the classroom to the lab:
During a privileged 30-minute moment you will have the opportunity to meet our PhD students who are nanoscience and nanotechnology experts. You will be able to chat freely with them about their work, their educational and career paths, and even visit their experiment rooms to see up close the equipment and cutting-edge technologies we use. This encounter is a unique chance to dive into the fascinating world of nanotechnologies and to talk directly with those shaping the future of this field.
For everyone: “The Unprecedented Expeditions of the C2N”
We are pleased to invite you to participate in the “Unprecedented Expeditions of the C2N,” an exclusive activity that will immerse you in an immersive adventure at the heart of our laboratory. Participants will enjoy privileged access to our facilities. Do not miss these unique opportunities!
On-site registration at the reception for the 3 expeditions
Some of these visits may not be suitable for certain audiences – hard of hearing, visually impaired, reduced mobility, mental handicap, enclosed/limited spaces, pacemakers. Please inquire at the reception when you register. The multi-physics platform: “Does it work?”
Imagine objects so small they’re invisible to the naked eye. We’re talking about components tucked away inside your smartphone, tiny sensors, or medical chips. Once these microscopic objects are fabricated, you can’t simply look at them to know if they work. Characterization is the step that functions as a full check-up. It’s the art of measuring the invisible to answer the fundamental question: does it work?
Thanks to our tools and the Multi-Physics Platform team, we can measure these performances: mechanical strength, electrical behavior, or response to heat, and use these insights to improve their design. You’ll understand how researchers analyze the behavior of materials and micro-systems under extreme conditions. A moment at the crossroads of physics, engineering, and innovation, after which tomorrow’s devices will hold no secrets for you.
Registration on site at the reception
Format: 1 hour / Max 12 participants per session / Minimum age 15
Session 1: 2:00 PM Tour of our cleanroom:
The tiniest electronic components in mobile phones are 10,000 times smaller than a hair! But what do we need to make them? What does the place where they’re produced look like? What tools and techniques are used to fabricate devices smaller than a grain of dust?
To answer all these questions we invite you to tour our cleanroom. Our room, Europe’s largest Academic Center, features numerous safety measures, separated from the outside by airlocks; entry requires protective gear (coveralls, gloves, boot covers). The room also has a very specialized ventilation and filtration system to prevent any contamination. After a generic, educational briefing on how a cleanroom works with the help of “La fabrique du nano,” we offer you an exclusive immersion guided by our experts.
Registration on site at the reception
Format: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Sessions: Departures every 30 minutes Scientific demonstrations:
- Energy harvesting, piezoelectric panel (Educational project with IUT de Cachan students)
- Microscopy: SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope)
- Solar photovoltaics
- The future pacemaker
- The carbon footprint of the C2N Our exhibition “Monstrously Fascinating”
Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and over
• Conditions: Free admission
Hours: Sunday, October 4 — 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Biomedical research and innovation
This groundbreaking tour reveals how miniature medical devices—microfluidic chips—are born, from prototyping to real-world application. Through our team's insights, you'll discover how our state-of-the-art tools and expertise empower us to play a key role in major advances in medical research. A captivating, unprecedented journey to the heart of biomedical science!
Participation conditions:
• Eligible audiences: 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and older
• Conditions: Reservation required
Schedule: Thursday, October 8 — 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The C2N: a building that plays tricks on the eye
Behind the lab results lie extraordinary structures and an architecture designed for the unseen. From technical basements to vibration-defying structures, discover how this colossal apparatus keeps the world’s most unique experiments moving forward. Take in a never-before-seen view of the backstage and meet our teams who power the heartbeat of this giant machine.
Participation criteria:
• Target audiences: 15–18, 18–25, 25 and over
• Requirements: Booking required
Schedule: Thursday, October 8 — 11:00 to 12:15
Ecole Polytechnique
Science Festival 2026
The Polytechnic's Fête de la Science is a public event built around the national theme “Savory Science.”
It offers interactive stands, hands-on science workshops, talks and demonstrations to explore science in a new way.
In partnership with organizations such as CNRS, Inria and other institutions, the event fosters dialogue between researchers, students and the general public.
This gathering aims to make science accessible, engaging and closely tied to issues surrounding food, flavors and innovation.
Participation requirements:
• Eligible audiences: 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25+ years
• Entry: Free admission
Hours: Saturday, October 10 — 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Dates and Opening Time
From October 2, 2026 to October 12, 2026
Location
Palaiseau
Mairie
91120 Palaiseau
Route planner
Prices
Free
