Science Festival 2026 at the Jardin des Plantes: an offbeat, educational outing for families

To mark the Science Festival, the Jardin des Plantes invites you to its grounds for a weekend of activities and discoveries, from October 10 to 11, 2026.

The Fête de la Science is also celebrated at the Jardin des Plantes! Curious visitors are invited to take part in the various activities hosted in the heart of this iconic garden. The date is set: join us on October 10–11, 2026 to take part in the workshops and activities of the 35th edition of the Fête de la science.

The Jardin des Plantes is no mere island of greenery in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. The garden belongs to the capital's Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. As such, it is encircled by various scientific and educational buildings, dedicated to the different disciplines of science. It's a lively, family-friendly place, with greenhouses and a whole menagerie!

Meet up at the entrance to the Jardin des Plantes for a family walk around science. Bring rain boots or a cap, depending on the weather! And if you want to extend your visit for the Fête de la Science:

Science Festival 2026 in Île-de-France: workshops, tours, experiments… free outings on the program
The 2026 Science Festival runs from October 2 to 12 in Paris and across Île-de-France, offering many free events for the general public and families. Open laboratories, demonstrations, meetings, performances, and hands-on workshops make up the program for this 35th edition. [Read more]

The Science Festival program at the Jardin des Plantes:

Science Festival at the Jardin des Plantes
Workshops, tours, gatherings, demonstrations and discoveries: for a full weekend we invite you to explore science in a playful, interactive way that’s accessible to everyone.
Young and old are invited to share curiosity, experimentation and wonder at the heart of the Museum’s collections and laboratories.
Find the full program on the website: https://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/fr/fete-science-jardin-des-plant…;
Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 6-11 years, 11-15 years, 15-18 years, 18-25 years, 25 years and up
• Conditions: Free admission
Hours: Saturday, October 10 — 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday, October 11 — 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

How about a trip to the Jardin des Plantes this weekend, folks?