The 2026 Science Festival returns from October 2 to 12 across France, with major events in Paris and the Île-de-France region. Created in 1991 by the ministry responsible for Higher Education and Research, this free event invites the public to meet scientists, tour laboratories, and take part in workshops, talks, or demonstrations. The 35th edition, under the theme "Scholarly flavors", explores the links between food, health, the environment and research. In Paris, the Institut Curie joins the event by sharing its work and the professions behind it with visitors.
The story of the Institut Curie goes back to the early 20th century and remains closely linked to Marie Curie. The Radium Institute, founded in 1909, brought together teams devoted to studying radioactivity and its medical applications. Now renamed Institut Curie, the institution today blends research, patient care and education in the fight against cancer. Doctors, researchers and caregivers work here on tumor understanding, genetics, immunology, and the development of new therapies. Its Paris campus preserves Marie Curie’s scientific legacy while housing laboratories and equipment for contemporary research.
Joining the Science Festival at the Curie Institute sheds light on how teams tackling cancer conduct their work. The talks and hands-on activities give a clear sense of the scientific methods, the careers in the field, and the journey from lab discovery to medical application. For families, students, or simply curious visitors, this event also opens the doors to a Paris landmark in the history of science and offers direct exchanges with the researchers carrying out work there today.
The 2026 Science Festival at the Curie Institute
What if science could be a family adventure? For Science Festival 2026, the Curie Institute's research center invites the public to explore the biology of our bodies at every scale—from the major systems down to cells, DNA, proteins, and molecules too small to see with the naked eye.
In this historic hub of Marie Curie's discoveries, in the heart of Paris, come and learn how scientific breakthroughs are born and how researchers decode the normal and pathological workings of living things.
Through experimental, interactive, and playful workshops, you’ll witness the invisible under the microscope, decode DNA, follow the life of cells, discover cutting‑edge technologies, explore precision medicine, and see how these tools open up new avenues to better prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, including cancer.
Put on your gloves, ready? Dive into today’s research.
Some workshops can also be offered in English on request.
Friday, October 2 and Friday, October 9 are dedicated exclusively to schools (by reservation).
➝ Access the class registration form
IMPORTANT: For Saturday, October 3; Sunday, October 4; and Saturday, October 10, entry is free (no reservation required).
In addition, the Curie Museum will host conference‑workshops (Saturday, October 3 at 1:00 PM and Saturday, October 10 at 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM), a game workshop (Wednesday, October 7, between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM) and a discussion workshop (Saturday, October 10, between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM).
For more information: www.curie.fr
Inquiries: aida.fakhr@curie.fr
Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and up
• Admission: Free
Hours: Saturday, October 3 — 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Sunday, October 4 — 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Saturday, October 10 — 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM
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Dates and Opening Time
From October 2, 2026 to October 12, 2026
Location
Institut Curie
26 Rue d'Ulm
75005 Paris 5
Route planner
Accessibility info
Official website
www.fetedelascience.fr
Booking
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