From experiments, demonstrations and encounters with enthusiasts, the Fête de la Science 2026 invites the general public from October 2 to 12 across France. Launched in 1991 by the ministry in charge of Higher Education and Research, this free event makes science accessible to people of all ages. Each edition highlights a different theme; in 2026, "Savory Science" invites people to explore the links between food, taste, health and the environment. Mantes-la-Jolie, in the Yvelines, the Fête de la Science helps bring research closer to the public through activities organized at the heart of the town.
A city of art and history perched on the banks of the Seine, Mantes-la-Jolie preserves a medieval heritage. Founded in the 12th century, it grew up around a major river port and a trade route linking Paris to Normandy. Its most iconic monument remains Notre-Dame de Mantes Collegiate Church, a Gothic masterpiece that inspired artists such as Claude Monet. Today, the town blends this historic legacy with a vibrant cultural scene—museums, arts venues, a conservatory—and a packed calendar of events year-round.
The Science Festival naturally sits well in a city that blends culture, heritage, and the sharing of knowledge. The events on offer in Mantes-la-Jolie invite you to explore scientific topics from a concrete angle, prioritizing observation, exchange, and discovery. Whether you’re visiting with family, with friends, or simply out of curiosity, the festival offers a fresh way to explore the city while engaging with the sciences and innovations that shape our daily lives. It’s also an opportunity to see Mantes-la-Jolie in a new light, through a program designed to make knowledge accessible to as many people as possible.
All stars begin with a love story
This production invites us to lift our eyes to the heavens and rediscover the constellations that have populated our imagination since antiquity. Drawn from Greek myths such as Andromeda, Callisto, Ariadne, and Gaia, the show traces the birth of stars through tales of metamorphosis, love, and freedom. On stage, the performers bring these celestial figures to life in a hybrid form that blends theater and storytelling, interactive dialogue with the audience, and live music, turning the stage into a vivid, luminous journey across the vaulted sky.
Text and direction: Leslie Mitéran
Lighting: Arthur Deslandes
Musical composition: Thomas Davail, Thibaud Enguehard and Johanne Teste
Cast: Thomas Davail and Johanne Teste
Participation requirements:
• Eligible audiences: 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and up
• Requirements: Booking required
Hours: N/A
Mobile Planetarium
Come and discover the diversity of the stellar systems in our Galaxy through a journey among the stars.
Settle under an immersive dome and let yourself be guided through a mobile planetarium experience where 360-degree projections, digital simulations, and science outreach come together to recreate the night sky.
Explore constellations, celestial motions, and cosmic phenomena while enjoying an accessible, captivating narrative that turns each session into a true journey to the heart of the Universe.
Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and older
• Conditions: Advance booking required
Hours: Tuesday, October 6 — 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday, October 6 — 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 8 — 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Thursday, October 8 — 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM
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Dates and Opening Time
From October 2, 2026 to October 12, 2026
Location
Mantes-la-Jolie
mantes-la-jolie
78200 Mantes la Jolie
Route planner
Accessibility info
Official website
www.fetedelascience.fr
