Science Festival 2026: Explore radioactivity at ESCPI Paris

Science Festival is back for a new edition, from October 2 to 12, 2026: an opportunity to explore PSL University and take part in several hands-on science activities.

Curious minds, families and enthusiasts have a date with science this October! Each autumn, the Fête de la Science invites the public to dive into the heart of research and innovation. Held from 2 to 12 October 2026, this nationwide event offers thousands of activities across France under the theme "Savantes saveurs", from artificial intelligence to collective knowledge. In Paris, the ESPCI Paris – Université PSL stands out as one of the flagship venues of this edition, welcoming visitors to its laboratories and the Espace des Sciences Pierre-Gilles de Gennes.

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 10, 2026, the ESPCI opens its doors to the public at the Pierre-Gilles de Gennes Space of Science, in the heart of Paris’ 5th arrondissement. From 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., curious visitors are invited to tour the laboratories and take part in workshops, offering a firsthand look at scientific research taking place in these spaces. This free event welcomes families as well as students and everyday enthusiasts, providing a tangible immersion into the world of scientific inquiry. Accessible and welcoming, it promises to turn the abstract language of laboratories into lively, memorable experiences, set in a historic backdrop where innovation has been written for more than a century.

The 2026 Science Festival program at ESCPI Paris – PSL University:

From Marie Curie to the city of tomorrow
ESPCI Paris-PSL and ESPGG invite you to two hands-on tracks!
The first will offer a panorama of radioactivity: a historic experiment by Pierre and Marie Curie, a showcase of historic manuscripts, and the recommissioning of the ESPGG cloud chamber, where traces of ionizing particles become visible.
The second opens the theme “The City of Tomorrow,” devoted to the physics of heat exchange: insulation, air conditioning systems and heat engines with a Stirling engine, the greenhouse effect observed on infrared video, and the cooling role of evapotranspiration. These tours will be presented on Saturday and throughout the week starting October 5 for school classes only.
Participation requirements :
• Eligible audiences : 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and up
• Conditions : Free admission
Hours: Saturday, October 10 — 2:00 PM–6:00 PM

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