Science Festival 2026: 10 free activities to discover in Paris and its surroundings

Are you passionate about science or simply curious? Don’t miss the Fête de la Science, running from October 2 to 12, 2026, with events planned in Paris and across all the Île-de-France departments! This week, dedicated to scientific culture in every form, offers free and exceptional activities, suitable for children as well as budding scientists of all ages, for a lively family outing!

• To be read
• 10 outings in Yvelines for this weekend of October 3–4, 2026.

Fête de la Science: discover the origins of this free, family-friendly scientific event
The Fête de la Science is the not-to-be-missed October event for fans of scientific experiments and new knowledge! Discover the history of this event, born in the capital! [Read more]

This 35th edition, which notably highlights sport, ventures into the museums, the universities, and the institutions, with screenings, meetings, debates, hands-on workshops, and even an escape room! An opportunity for scientists to present their work and the progress of their research to the general public, across the Île-de-France region and the capital. Heads up: with so much knowledge per square meter, your children might well find a real calling!

You’re not sure how to navigate all these activities? Don’t panic—discover our top 10 tailored to what you’re after. Here we go with the best free options!

Update in progress

The Top 10 deals you won't want to miss:

Science Festival 2026 at Paris Nanterre University: free invitations
Sponsored - Like every year, the campuses of Paris Nanterre University become, for three days, a genuine science festival! On Saturday, October 10, Nanterre will host an afternoon dedicated to science featuring hands-on workshops, exhibitions, games, tours and encounters. Archaeology, ecology, programming, psychology, nutrition — and, of course, critical thinking! Free registration. [Read more]

Fête de la Science 2026 at Université Paris Cité: the must-attend events you won’t want to miss!
Sponsored - From Thursday, October 1 to Monday, October 12, Université Paris Cité celebrates the Science Festival! This year’s theme, “Scholarly Flavors,” shines a light on a program that features no fewer than 80 free events—just as original and playful as they are educational: interactive workshops, lab tours, roundtables, and even a theatre performance! [Read more]

Science Festival 2026: a weekend of games and experiments at the Cité des Sciences
La Fête de la Science takes over the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie and offers a wide range of diverse and varied activities for the weekend of October 3 and 4, 2026. We're heading there to experiment, learn, and have fun, whatever your age. Discover the program. [Read more]

Science Festival 2026: Explore the science of food and flavors at the Grand Palais
For the new edition of the Science Festival, the Palais de la Découverte is offering free activities at the Grand Palais on October 3 and 4, 2026, a weekend of scientific experiments and games for the youngest visitors. [Read more]

Science Festival 2026: Behind the Scenes of Video Games at ISART Digital
The public is invited to go behind the scenes of digital creation at ISART Digital during the 2026 Science Festival. From technology, to 3D animation and video game development, the school puts the spotlight on the scientific disciplines that operate behind the screen. [Read more]

Science Festival 2026: what’s on at the National School of Bridges and Roads (77)
To mark the 2026 Science Festival, the National School of Bridges and Roads, based in the Seine-et-Marne department, is hosting a wide range of science workshops. [Read more]

Science Festival 2026: what activities are planned on the Sorbonne campuses?
From October 2 to 12, 2026, Sorbonne University’s campuses will take part in the Fête de la Science, offering a program of activities for all ages. Expect lectures, hands-on experiments, encounters with researchers, and science trails throughout the event. [Read more]

Vitry-sur-Seine (94): a scientific journey through flavors for the 2026 Science Festival
The 2026 Fête de la Science runs from October 2 to 12 in Vitry-sur-Seine, featuring a lineup of activities centered on scientific culture. The city invites families to take part in accessible activities that let them experiment, observe, and deepen their understanding of science. [Read more]

CNRS presents the 2026 Science Festival program across its network of sites
Step into a laboratory, chat with researchers, and gain a clearer understanding of their work: that’s what CNRS is offering during Science Festival 2026. From October 2 to 12, several of its sites will welcome the public in Paris and the Île-de-France region. [Read more]

Science Festival 2026 in Paris: the highlights at the Pierre-and-Marie-Curie campus
Meet researchers, observe experiments, or take part in workshops: that’s what awaits visitors on the Pierre and Marie Curie campus of Sorbonne Université during the Science Festival 2026. Sorbonne Université is organizing several events there from October 2 to 12. [Read more]

Science Festival 2026 in Paris: storytelling, workshops and tours at the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
The Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac invites you this year to the Fête de la Science, featuring hands-on workshops and themed guided tours, to be held on Sunday, October 4, 2026. [Read more]

Science Festival 2026 in Louveciennes (78): the main highlights of this new edition
Louveciennes (78, Yvelines) is taking part in the 2026 Fête de la Science, organized across France from 2 to 12 October 2026 to bring research closer to the public. An opportunity to explore science in a setting defined by the Marly Aqueduct and the town’s Impressionist heritage. [Read more]