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:

Exploring the interfaces: from impressionists to physico-chemists
Discover the mysteries of the interfaces at the Soft Matter Science and Engineering Laboratory through an immersive scavenger hunt that blends art and science across five themed rooms. Why are soap bubbles round? Where do the colors of soap films come from? How are dew drops formed?
By experimenting and observing, explore the physical phenomena that shape our daily lives and discover how researchers draw inspiration from nature to imagine the materials and technologies of tomorrow. The laboratory opens its doors to young and old, to school groups, and to independent visitors.
Participation conditions:
• Target audiences: 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and older
• Conditions: Booking mandatory
Schedules: Tuesday, October 13 — 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Science workshops for all at ESPCI Paris – PSL
On the occasion of the Science Festival, ESPCI Paris – PSL opens the doors of the Pierre-Gilles de Gennes Space for an afternoon of discovery, hands-on experiments, and conversations with scientists. Researchers, doctoral students, engineering students, engineers, and ESPCI staff will offer numerous interactive workshops to showcase physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering in a playful way.
Among the activities on offer, come relive Pierre and Marie Curie’s historic experiments on radioactivity and magnetism, perform a radioactivity measurement as in the early 20th century, discover a superconducting train in levitation, observe bio-inspired materials, experiment with superhydrophobicity and zero wetting, defy gravity with jumping droplets and “anti-gravity” experiments, attend demonstrations of material cutting by water jet or laser, visit ESPCI’s FabLab, explore acoustic levitation, explore future materials through games, or understand how light helps study the brain. Discover how ultrasound has become an indispensable tool in modern medicine.
This edition will also feature several workshops dedicated to environmental issues, allowing participants to understand—through experimentation—phenomena such as heat exchange, insulation, air conditioning, the greenhouse effect, innovative materials, and the solutions developed by research to meet climate challenges.
Participation criteria:
• Target audiences: 3 - 6 years, 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 to 6:00 PM