Looking for an original, free outing in the Val-de-Marne? The Fête de la Science is coming to Saint-Maur-des-Fossés from October 3 to 13, 2025, with a rich program of workshops, experiments, conferences and exhibitions. The theme of this year's event is "Intelligence(s)", inviting young and old alike to explore the many facets of scientific curiosity: from artificial intelligence to collective behavior, biodiversity and environmental sciences.
Created in 1991 by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the Fête de la Science aims to democratize access to scientific knowledge. Universities, laboratories, museums, associations and libraries mobilize to organize free events open to all. It's a unique opportunity to meet researchers, get hands-on and experiment with the whole family, and debate contemporary scientific issues. Each year, a common theme inspires local initiatives: in 2025, the focus will be onintelligence, in all its forms.
Located in a loop of the Marne River, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés takes its name from the abbey founded in the VIIᵉ century, once a major spiritual and cultural center. The qualifier "des Fossés" refers to the fortifications that protected this strategic site. With its historic districts such as Vieux Saint-Maur, picturesque alleyways and intercommunal museum, the town cultivates a rich heritage.
In the XXᵉ century, Saint-Maur strengthened its educational role thanks to its high schools with scientific preparatory classes(Marcelin-Berthelot, Arsonval), veritable breeding grounds for talent that perpetuate a strong link with science and research. Even today, this tradition of excellence and transmission is illustrated by the Fête de la Science, which brings together the town's heritage and its openness to contemporary knowledge.
CHU la Pépinière
Science Village at the Saint-Maur-des-Fossés Observatory
Science Village 2026
Flavors: when science is cooked up
Saturday, October 10, 2026 – Observatoire site, CHU La Pépinière, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés
On the occasion of Science Festival 2026, the Emmaüs Solidarité Observatoire site opens its Science Village to discovery, experimentation, and sharing.
This year’s route will revolve mainly around flavors to explore science through a universal theme: food.
Mathematics, neuroscience, microbiology, cooking, biodiversity… Young and old will get hands-on: experiment, handle, taste, and observe to better understand what happens on our plate.
Two complementary activities will enrich the program: a bicycle-mechanics workshop and a live artistic performance around the Planet Path.
On the program
The Mathematic-ians – Math has a taste!
What if fruit could help us discover mathematics?
Strawberry, grape, apple, melon… Kids will tackle a tasty challenge: how many different skewers can we make without repeating any?
A playful workshop to explore combinatorics, logic, and mathematical reasoning by manipulating fruit.
An original way to show that mathematics are everywhere, even in what we eat!
Kids of Île-de-France – Science on the plate
What lies behind the foods we eat?
Through several experiments, children and adults will explore nutrition from a scientific angle around two big themes:
Food at the microscopic level: discover microbes, understand fermentation, and explore the microbiome’s role in our bodies.
Eating, from the sensory to the cultural: experiment taste, smell, and gustatory illusions, while discovering how our environment and cultures shape our eating habits.
A playful, participatory way to show that behind what we eat lie numerous biological, sensory, and cultural phenomena.
Savory Scholars – Taste and neuroscience
Do we really taste with the tongue alone?
Through several experiments, children will uncover the roles of the tongue, nose, eyes, and brain in flavor perception.
Nose clogged, colors misleading, smells and memories… Participants will explore how our senses work together when we eat and how the brain interprets the information it receives.
A session to understand that flavor isn’t only in the mouth: it’s also built in the brain!
Seed of Flavors – Cooking becomes a laboratory
What if cooking was a true scientific experiment?
Our mobile solidarity caravan, fitted with a kitchen, will transform into a culinary lab.
Participants will cook, experiment, and observe the scientific phenomena tied to cooking, mixing, textures, aromas, and flavors.
The workshops will also tackle questions about food:
Seasonality of produce and respecting natural cycles.
Fighting food waste.
Biodiversity and food resources.
World cuisines explored.
Passing down family recipes and know-how from the center’s communities.
A space where cooking becomes a ground for experimentation, discovery, and sharing, while celebrating cultural diversity and individual eating practices.
Two-wheel World on the Marne – Bicycle mechanics: understand, maintain, fix!
How does a bike work? How do you care for it and handle everyday glitches?
The Place au Vélo sur Marne association will lead a hands-on workshop dedicated to bike mechanics.
Guided by a professional from the association, adults and children will explore the main components of a bicycle, learn how they function, and pick up essential maintenance skills.
On the agenda:
Discover the key bicycle mechanisms.
Learn to check brakes, tires, and chain.
Identify common faults and learn simple repairs.
Adopt the right habits for safe riding.
This workshop will also touch on scientific principles related to movement, friction, and energy transfer.
A practical activity that blends scientific discovery with autonomy, sustainable mobility, and environmental awareness.
Live artistic performance – Joris and the Planet Path
Where art meets science to transform how we view the cosmos!
For Science Village, graffiti artist Joris will create a live mural on one of the Observatoire site buildings.
This new piece will depict a planet and will complement the Planet Path project launched in a previous edition.
Throughout the performance, visitors can watch the mural come to life, learn graffiti techniques, and follow the slow emergence of the new planet.
The show will push forward the site’s artistic transformation while building bridges between art, science, and the exploration of the universe.
A new work that will enrich the Planet Path for years to come and help make the Observatoire site a hub of discovery, curiosity, and sharing.
A Science Village to taste, feel, observe, and experiment!
Throughout the day, participants will be invited to experience science differently through accessible, playful, and participatory activities.
From skewering fruit to discovering microbes, from bicycle dynamics to creating a new planet, every activity offers a new lens on science.
Beyond the experiments, the day will also be an opportunity to connect residents of the center, families, partner associations, and visiting guests.
A Science Village centered on experimentation, curiosity, creativity, solidarity, and sharing!
Join us on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at the Observatoire site for a day of scientific discoveries and encounters.
Participation criteria:
• Target audiences: 3–6 years old, 6–11 years old, 11–15 years old, 15–18 years old, 18–25 years old, 25 years and older
• Conditions: Free admission
Hours: Saturday, October 10 — 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
Dates and Opening Time
On October 11, 2025
Location
Saint-Maur-des-Fossés
94100 Saint-Maur-des-Fossés
94100 Saint Maur des Fosses
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