Curious minds, families and enthusiasts have a date with science in October! Every autumn, the Fête de la Science invites the general public to plunge into the heart of research and innovation. Taking place from October 3 to 13, 2025, this nationwide event features thousands of activities across France on the theme of"Intelligence(s)", from artificial intelligence to collective knowledge. In Paris, theESPCI Paris - Université PSL is one of the key venues, opening its laboratories and Espace des Sciences Pierre-Gilles de Gennes to the public.
Founded in 1882,ESPCI Paris is a leading engineering school that has established itself as a major player in French scientific research. Interdisciplinary from the outset, it has seen illustrious figures such as Paul Langevin and Pierre and Marie Curie pass through its laboratories. Today, it boasts a dozen joint research units and a dense scientific corps working in fields as varied as chemistry, physics and biology. Its prestige is enhanced by the presence of six Nobel Prize winners associated with its history and by innovations that have become emblematic, from neon tubes to advances in medical imaging.
On Saturday, October 4, 2025,ESPCI welcomes the public to theEspace des Sciences Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, in the heart of Paris's 5ᵉ arrondissement. From 2pm to 5pm, the curious are invited to a tour of the laboratories and workshops, to learn all about scientific research on these premises. This free event is aimed at families, students and the simply curious, offering a hands-on immersion into the world of scientific research. Accessible and convivial, it promises to transform the abstraction of laboratories into lively and memorable experiences, in a historic setting where innovation has been written for over a century.
ESPCI Paris - PSL is a major engineering school associated with prestigious names (Curie, Langevin, de Gennes, Charpak...). It is also a group of world-renowned research institutes, responsible for numerous discoveries and innovations. Its laboratories cover a broad spectrum of disciplines: physics (waves, acoustics, optics, hydrodynamics, soft matter, quantum physics, materials), chemistry (organic chemistry, materials chemistry, analytical chemistry), as well as biology and biomedical sciences. You can see the different laboratories: here
On the occasion of the Fête de la Science, the ESPCI opens its doors :
- Friday October 3 and during the week of October 6 to 10: Laboratory visits for middle school (from 4ᵉ) and high school classes. These visits provide an opportunity to meet researchers and discover research in the making.
- Friday October 10: Scientific activities for primary school classes, designed and presented by the school's researchers. On the program: fun workshops such as making liquid balls, levitating objects, changing the color of gold, and many other fun and interactive experiments.
To take part, teachers are invited to contact us in advance to reserve a slot.
Saturday, October 4: Numerous workshops and events at the Espace des Sciences Pierre-Gilles de Gennes (all ages, free admission)
Radioactivity with Pierre and Marie Curie's experiment, magnetism - Pierre Curie's historic experiment, levitating superconducting train, inflatable and bio-inspired baromorphs, hyper-hydrophobia with zero wetting, "anti-gravity" and upside-down navigation, cutting metal with water, visit to the Fablab, jumping drops, acoustic levitation, games and large-format comics on the materials of the future, light in the brain....
Detailed program information: https://www.espgg.org/
Address: 10 rue Vauquelin, Paris 5ème
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Dates and Opening Time
On October 4, 2025
Location
ESPCI Paris - PSL University
10 Rue Vauquelin
75005 Paris 5
Access
Metro line 7 "Place Monge" station
Official website
www.espci.psl.eu
