The Science Festival runs from October 2 to 12, 2026 across France, inviting everyone to discover science in a simple, playful and free way. For about ten days, researchers, teachers, associations and science communicators host gatherings, workshops, experiments and tours to share their knowledge with the public. This 35th edition, under the theme "Savory Sciences", highlights the links between food, health, the environment and innovation. In Montigny-le-Bretonneux, the event brings science to life in a region where higher education, research and new technologies play a prominent role.
At the heart of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Montigny-le-Bretonneux has undergone a dramatic transformation in the second half of the 20th century. Once a rural village, the commune set about shaping the new town from the 1970s, developing rapidly around new neighborhoods, public facilities, and business zones. Today it hosts numerous higher education institutions, innovative companies, and facilities dedicated to research and training. Despite this evolution, the city preserves several reminders of its past, particularly around the Saint-Martin church, while placing a strong emphasis on green spaces, bodies of water, and cultural venues that animate local life.
In Montigny-le-Bretonneux, the Science Festival takes on a special dimension in a town where innovation is part of everyday life. Visitors can use this period to gain a clearer understanding of today’s scientific challenges through formats that are accessible to both families and curious minds alike. The event also offers a different view of the city, highlighting the connections between research, education and daily life. Whether you live in the Yvelines or you’re simply passing through, the Science Festival provides a wonderful chance to explore a forward-looking region while sharing a convivial moment around science.
Spotlight on Women in Science
Do you know the women scientists who have shaped history? Women from every continent have advanced science and technology, from mathematics to botany, including primatology and astrophysics. “Light on Women in Science” is a traveling exhibition that highlights these often overlooked figures and offers inspiring role models, especially to motivate young girls to pursue scientific careers. It’s also an opportunity to demystify complex research topics and broaden science outreach to the general public. The exhibition is led by Lucie Cros, Leïla Bessila, and Romane Cologni, PhD candidates in astrophysics, and is backed by a prestigious scientific committee with Françoise Combes, an astrophysicist, CNRS Gold Medal, and President of the French Academy of Sciences, as patroness.
Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and up
• Conditions: Free admission
Hours: Wednesday, September 30 — 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday, October 2 — 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 3 — 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Tuesday, October 6 — 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 7 — 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday, October 9 — 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 10 — 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Tuesday, October 13 — 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 14 — 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday, October 16 — 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 17 — 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Tuesday, October 20 — 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 21 — 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday, October 23 — 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 24 — 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Tuesday, October 27 — 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 28 — 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday, October 30 — 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 31 — 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
The Child and the Cocoa Tree
Have you ever wondered where chocolate comes from? Or what the flavors hidden inside this treat really mean? That is what Aurélien Gorgeault, a puppeteer and actor, will reveal. Using a simple box that unfolds into a tiny stage and houses all the scenery, characters, and props, the performer takes us to Côte d'Ivoire. Part tale, part puppetry, and part rolling parchment, the show presents a dialogue between Awa, a girl who harvests cocoa, and the cocoa tree itself. And perhaps this story is an invitation to rethink how we consume this delicious treat?
Participation conditions:
• Audiences targeted : 6–11, 11–15, 15–18, 18–25, 25 and up
• Conditions : Free admission
Schedule: Wednesday, September 30 — 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Cult' Night: Lessons in Chemistry
What if you turned your kitchen into a lab?
Dive into the science behind your recipes with Hervé This, a pioneer of molecular gastronomy, in conversation with the series "Lessons in Chemistry".
Experiments, surprises and unraveling the mystery on the menu: an evening to understand (and perhaps shake up) your view of everyday cooking.
Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 15–18, 18–25, 25 and up
• Conditions: Free admission
Schedule: Friday, October 2 — 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Science Infused! Plants: the battle of flavors and aromas
Join the flavor showdown! Broccoli vs. Vanilla! Scientists from the Jean-Pierre Bourgin Institute – Plant Sciences and the Versailles Lavoisier Institute will guide you through scent workshops and quizzes, offering scientific insights into these two champions. Can you choose a side?
Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 18–25 years old, 25 and up
• Conditions: Free admission
Schedule: Friday, October 9 - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Around the world on a plate
Set off on a delicious world tour and discover the connections between environment, climate, culture, and food.
An incredibly enriching experience that opens your eyes wide to the world.
Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: ages 6–11 and 11–15
• Requirements: advance booking required
Times: Saturday, October 10 — 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Are your senses playing tricks on you?
How do we perceive flavors and aromas? Why do some people love a scent that others dislike?
Through playful and interactive experiments, discover how our senses shape the way we experience food.
Participation requirements:
• Target audiences: 11–15 years, 15–18 years
• Prerequisites: Booking recommended
Schedule: Saturday, October 10 — 4:30–5:30 PM
The why behind the how...
Delve into the amazing world of science! With each workshop, a new adventure: surprising experiments, curious observations… Come discover the world in a new light by becoming a true little explorer of knowledge.
Participation requirements :
• Target audiences : 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and up
• Conditions : Free admission
Schedule: Saturday, October 10 — 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Science Festival at UFR Simone Veil - Health, on Saturday, October 10
Workshops tied to the theme Savvy Flavors:
- Behavior and tasting in Drosophila
- Exploring the microbes that craft flavors
- At the table! When our immune cells devour bacteria
- Discovering the DNA of fruits
- On the road to culinary chemistry
The other workshops planned are:
- Wooclap
- Mass spectrometry platform
- The 3D body
- Anthropology
- Virtual reality
- Immersive escape game
- Breast palpation
- In the shoes of a simulated patient
- Exploring sensory thresholds
- Teddy bear hospital
Participation conditions:
• Target audiences: 6–11 years, 11–15 years, 15–18 years, 18–25 years, 25 years and up
• Conditions: Free admission
Hours: Saturday, October 10 — 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
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Dates and Opening Time
On October 10, 2026
Location
Montigny-le-Bretonneux
montigny-le-bretonneux
78180 Montigny le Bretonneux
Route planner
Accessibility info
Access
Transilien Line U, La Verrière station, then bus
Prices
Free
Official website
www.fetedelascience.fr
