Science Festival 2026 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (78): the highlights of this year’s edition

In Saint-Germain-en-Laye (78), the Science Festival 2026 brings together families, schoolchildren and the curious for a program of free events dedicated to research and science, from October 2 to 12, 2026. A lineup designed to learn, to experiment and to better understand the world around us.

The Science Festival 2026 returns from October 2 to 12 with thousands of free activities organized across France to bring science closer to everyone. Since its launch in 1991, the event has given visitors the chance to meet researchers, participate in workshops, attend talks, or explore the behind-the-scenes of research in a friendly, welcoming setting. This 35th edition, under the theme "Gourmet Science", once again shows that science touches many aspects of our daily lives. In Saint-Germain-en-Laye, in the Yvelines (78), several events invite families, students and the curious to explore different scientific fields in a simple and interactive way.

Known for its castle, its forest and royal history, Saint-Germain-en-Laye ranks among the most emblematic towns in the department. Its story goes back to the Middle Ages and gains new significance under the French kings, who made it one of their favorite residences. Francis I had the château rebuilt, Henry IV laid out the famous terraces designed by André Le Nôtre, and Louis XIV was born here in 1638 before the court moved to Versailles. Today, the château houses the National Archaeology Museum, while the town preserves a remarkable heritage—from old lanes to the national estate and the vast royal forest.

In Saint‑Germain‑en‑Laye, heritage, nature and scientific culture have long walked hand in hand. The Science Festival offers a fresh lens on the city, highlighting science that’s accessible to everyone. The program invites people to explore a variety of topics through hands-on experiments, careful observations and discussions, all set in a backdrop already renowned for its rich history and culture. Whether strolling through the old town, visiting the national domain, or stopping at partner venues, the event adds a scientific dimension to discovering one of the Yvelines’ best‑known towns.

The 2026 Science Festival program in Saint-Germain-en-Laye:

George Sand Media Library

EXHIBITION: Learning to Eat Well
This exhibition pairs Nicolas Gouny’s illustrations with brief explanatory texts. It tackles the challenges of food, the farmer’s craft, mass-production methods, and environmental dangers... and it also highlights laudable initiatives!
Participation requirements :
• Intended audiences : ages 3–6 and 6–11
• Conditions : Free admission
Hours: Tuesday, 3 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Wednesday, 4 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Thursday, 5 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, 6 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, 7 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Tuesday, 10 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Wednesday, 11 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Thursday, 12 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, 13 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, 14 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Tuesday, 17 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Wednesday, 18 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Thursday, 19 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, 20 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, 21 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Tuesday, 24 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Wednesday, 25 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Thursday, 26 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, 27 November – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, 28 November – 10:00 to 18:00

Marc-Ferro Media Library

EXHIBITION: Eating — Nutrition, Gastronomy, and Health
An illustrated chronicle of humanity's relationship with food. This long‑view, critical take on big topics (nutrition, gastronomy, health), some of which have become real fashion on screens (gastronomy in particular), provides a frame of reference and opens up numerous angles.
Participation requirements :
• 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: Friday, October 2 – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, October 3 – 10:00 to 18:00
Tuesday, October 6 – 10:00 to 18:00
Wednesday, October 7 – 10:00 to 18:00
Thursday, October 8 – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, October 9 – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, October 10 – 10:00 to 18:00
Tuesday, October 13 – 10:00 to 18:00
Wednesday, October 14 – 10:00 to 18:00
Thursday, October 15 – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, October 16 – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, October 17 – 10:00 to 18:00
Tuesday, October 20 – 10:00 to 18:00
Wednesday, October 21 – 10:00 to 18:00
Thursday, October 22 – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, October 23 – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, October 24 – 10:00 to 18:00
Tuesday, October 27 – 10:00 to 18:00
Wednesday, October 28 – 10:00 to 18:00
Thursday, October 29 – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, October 30 – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, October 31 – 10:00 to 18:00
Tuesday, November 3 – 10:00 to 18:00
Wednesday, November 4 – 10:00 to 18:00
Thursday, November 5 – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, November 6 – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, November 7 – 10:00 to 18:00
Tuesday, November 10 – 10:00 to 18:00
Wednesday, November 11 – 10:00 to 18:00
Thursday, November 12 – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, November 13 – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, November 14 – 10:00 to 18:00
Tuesday, November 17 – 10:00 to 18:00
Wednesday, November 18 – 10:00 to 18:00
Thursday, November 19 – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, November 20 – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, November 21 – 10:00 to 18:00
Tuesday, November 24 – 10:00 to 18:00
Wednesday, November 25 – 10:00 to 18:00
Thursday, November 26 – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, November 27 – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, November 28 – 10:00 to 18:00
CONFERENCE: "Eating for Good Health"
Diet is widely recognized as a key factor in the development of chronic diseases (obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, …). Mélanie Deschasaux Tanguy (research fellow in nutritional epidemiology at INSERM3) will take a broad view of the current evidence on the links between nutrition and health, as well as on research surrounding Nutri-Score, ultra-processed foods, and the gut microbiota.
Participation requirements:
• Eligible audiences: 11–15, 15–18, 18–25, 25 and over
• Requirements: Booking required
Schedule: Saturday, October 3 — 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
WORKSHOP: “Workshop on Nutrition Prevention”
These workshops, led with genuine warmth by Maud Brabants, a dietitian-nutritionist, are designed as quiet spaces for interactive exchanges to better understand how our eating habits work. The goal is to walk away with practical tools to rebalance meals, debunk common myths, and rediscover the pleasure of healthy eating in everyday life.
Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 11–15, 15–18, 18–25, 25 and up
• Conditions: Advance booking recommended
Schedule: Saturday, October 10 — 10:00 to 11:00
Saturday, October 10 — 15:00 to 16:00
SHOW: "Move with Lady Vitamin!"
Through theatre, music and the participation of young audiences, this educational and interactive show humorously tackles the essential themes of balanced nutrition,
personal hygiene and the pleasure of moving.

Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 3–6 years, 6–11 years
• Requirements: Advance booking required
Schedules: Saturday, October 10 — 10:00 to 10:45
EXHIBITION: My Plate, My Planet, Food for a Sustainable World
How can we feed nearly 10 billion people in the future without causing irreversible damage to our planet? Drawing on contributions from around thirty scientists, the exhibition highlights the limits of the current model, the diversity of food systems, and the interdependence among the various sectors involved.
Participation requirements:
• 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: Tuesday, November 3 — 10:00 to 12:00
Wednesday, November 4 — 10:00 to 12:00
Thursday, November 5 — 10:00 to 12:00
Friday, November 6 — 10:00 to 12:00
Saturday, November 7 — 10:00 to 12:00
Tuesday, November 10 — 10:00 to 12:00
Wednesday, November 11 — 10:00 to 12:00
Thursday, November 12 — 10:00 to 12:00
Friday, November 13 — 10:00 to 12:00
Saturday, November 14 — 10:00 to 12:00
Tuesday, November 17 — 10:00 to 12:00
Wednesday, November 18 — 10:00 to 12:00
Thursday, November 19 — 10:00 to 12:00
Friday, November 20 — 10:00 to 12:00
Saturday, November 21 — 10:00 to 12:00
Tuesday, November 24 — 10:00 to 12:00
Wednesday, November 25 — 10:00 to 12:00
Thursday, November 26 — 10:00 to 12:00
Friday, November 27 — 10:00 to 12:00
Saturday, November 28 — 10:00 to 12:00

Micro-Folie in Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Exploring molecular gastronomy
This workshop invites participants to explore the chemistry of cooking through playful experiments. They discover and master techniques such as gelling and spherification to transform the textures and shapes of ingredients, before tasting their creations.

Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and up
• Conditions: Reservation recommended
Hours: Friday, October 2 — 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
WORKSHOP: Transforming Our Eating Habits
Curious about examining how our food is changing? Collaborative experiments, hands-on activities, and games reveal fresh ways to rethink what we eat.

Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 3–6 years, 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and up
• Conditions: Booking recommended
Schedule: Saturday, October 3, 2:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Documentary film: “Oh, the Cow!”
Over the centuries, from the wild auroch to the selective breeding of modern cattle, the cow has adapted to pastoral, agricultural, and ultimately industrial farming to meet the world's food needs. This natural history of the cow—from its origins to today, from its anatomy to our plates—invites us to rediscover that the cow is not a "factory" for milk, meat, or methane.
Participation requirements :
• Target audiences : 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 and older
• Conditions : Free admission
Hours: Saturday, October 3 — 10:00–11:00
Saturday, October 3 — 11:00–11:50
Screening of the digital collection: arts and food
The Micro-Folie team invites you to a one-of-a-kind visual journey at the intersection of art and gastronomy. Through a collection of immersive digital works, discover how food has inspired artists across the ages, turning the plate into a genuine subject of study and creation. An artistic and cultural detour to view our eating habits with fresh eyes.

Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 3–6 years, 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and up
• Conditions: Free admission
Schedule: Wednesday, October 7 — 10:00 to 12:00
WORKSHOP: Tackling feeding challenges through play!
Have you heard of Mission Miam? Kosmopolit? Two board games, one goal: to explore the boundless possibilities of food.
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Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 6 - 11 years, 11 - 15 years, 15 - 18 years, 18 - 25 years, 25 years and up
• Conditions: Advance booking required
Schedule: Wednesday 7 October – 15:00 to 15:50
Wednesday 7 October – 16:00 to 16:50
WORKSHOP: The role of the microscopic in our food
How is our diet shaped by the microscopic world? Discover it through a series of engaging and educational workshops!
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Participation requirements:
Target audiences: 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and up
Requirements: Booking required
Schedule: Saturday, October 10 — 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
WORKSHOP: Eating — sensations, pleasure, and digestion
How does our brain turn smells and tastes into perceptions? What really happens to food after we swallow it? Through hands-on experiments and scientific demonstrations, participants explore how digestion works and debunk common myths!
Participation requirements :
• Target audience : 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and up
• Conditions : Free admission
Hours: Saturday, October 10 — 10:00 to 12:00

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