Science Festival 2026 in Élancourt (78): must-see science events you won’t want to miss

La Fête de la Science 2026 comes back to Élancourt, in the Yvelines, with free activities, from October 2 to 12, 2026. This new edition invites visitors to explore research, the environment, and everyday science in a town renowned for its heritage, its natural spaces, and its urban vitality.

The Science Festival 2026 is back from October 2 to 12 with an unchanged mission: make science accessible to as many people as possible through free activities held across France. For about ten days, researchers, associations, local authorities, and cultural venues offer workshops, conversations, and hands-on experiences to help everyone better understand the world around them. This 35th edition highlights the theme "Savory Science," exploring the connections between food, taste, health, the environment, and research. In Élancourt, in the Yvelines (78), the event invites residents and visitors to discover science through a tangible, community-centered lens in a town that blends natural spaces, cultural facilities, and urban vitality.

Located in the heart of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Élancourt has, in just a few decades, transformed from a rural village into a modern town woven into the development of the new town. Its history reaches back long before this change, as evidenced by the remains of the commanderie de la Villedieu, founded by the Templars in the 12th century. The commune is also known for the Colline d'Élancourt, the highest point in Île-de-France, developed from former quarries and subsequent fill from the works of the new town. Today open to the public, it offers a sweeping panorama of the region and stands as a symbol of the area’s evolution—reshaping its landscape while preserving traces of its past.

Between the Élancourt hill, the green spaces, cultural facilities and the proximity to several teaching and research institutions in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, the town offers an environment ripe for scientific discovery. The Fête de la Science naturally fits in there by presenting a lively, accessible approach to knowledge, far from the sometimes stern image of scientific disciplines. Visitors can use this period to explore new topics, chat with fellow enthusiasts, and gain a fresh perspective on a territory that blends heritage, nature and innovation. A way to experience science up close in everyday life, regardless of age or level of knowledge.

The 2026 Science Festival program in Élancourt:

Yum, that’s tasty! Yuck, that’s not good!!
How many times have we heard these words? Honestly, I’ve stopped counting a long time ago. But really, why is it good, and why don’t we like certain flavors? What are we really eating? Where do our foods come from? How should they be cooked? Traditional cuisine or molecular gastronomy?
Join us as we explore, through our experiments, the well-kept secrets of our ‘Savants of Flavor’.
Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years
• Conditions: Booking recommended
Schedule: Saturday, October 3 — 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Augustin, the Pirate of the Indies
Six-year-old Augustin "Volubile" Poivre dons his captain’s hat and captains a pirate ship. To uncover the fabulous spice treasure of Princess Daria, Augustin and his crew (the audience’s children) set off on an adventure: they must track down the Maharajah of Pondichéry!
With the help of a rather chatty parrot, they traverse the Indian Ocean aboard a humpback whale, outsmart tigers in the jungle, befriend orangutans, and stage a daring break-in at a candy palace. Along the way, Augustin will introduce us to a thousand and one spices with mysterious, entrancing aromas and tell us more about the animal species he encounters on his journey.
Participation terms:
• Eligible audiences: 6–11 years, 11–15 years
• Conditions: Free admission
Schedule: Saturday, October 10 — 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

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