The Nuit des Musées at the Etincelles of the Palais de la Découverte is shaping up to be promising, with a wide range of activities planned for visitors. It serves as the temporary home of the science museum that was originally based in the 8th arrondissement. The Palais de la Découverte is one of the city’s most fascinating venues, offering a multitude of interactive experiences for all ages, from children to adults.
Inaugurated in 1937 to coincide with the Universal Exhibition, the Palais de la Découverte was created to make science accessible to all, with permanent and temporary exhibitions on physics, chemistry, biology, computer science and astronomy. Children can also take part in educational workshops. An ideal place to learn and have fun at the same time!
Renowned for its Art Deco architecture, the Palais de la Découverte stands as one of the most significant examples of the era’s design in Paris. Do note, however, that the historic building is not yet open, the Nuit des Musées 2026 will indeed take place on May 23, but at the Etincelles du Palais de la Découverte, the Palais’s off-site venue, in the 15th arrondissement!
Free, special after-hours event at the Sparks program at the Palais de la Découverte
The Sparks from the Palais de la Découverte are opening their doors to you for free!
Throughout the evening, take part in interactive talks, soak up spectacular demonstrations, and meet researchers who are passionate about their work.
For more information: https://www.palais-decouverte.fr/au-programme
Participation conditions: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 – 6:00 PM to 10:15 PM
Eclipses
Come explore the phenomenon of eclipses at the planetarium!
On August 12, Paris’ skies will dip into darkness for a few moments in the late afternoon as we witness an almost-total eclipse. An immersive, accessible session to better understand this spectacular sky show.
Participation requirements: From 7 years old and up, subject to availability - Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM, 8:15 PM to 9:00 PM, 9:15 PM to 10:00 PM
All sorts of reactions
For you, what is chemistry? Clues to the answer through hands-on experiments...
Chemistry? It’s experiments that change color or bubble away... Starting from observations of several surprising experiments, this presentation, adaptable to all audiences, offers a simple introduction to chemistry and a tour of its fundamental principles.
Participation requirements: Free | No booking required
Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 - 6:15 PM ⤏ 7:00 PM, 8:15 PM ⤏ 9:00 PM
A cabinet of computer curiosities
Computing can also be understood by looking at the objects that define it. A floppy disk, a network cable, or even a vacuum tube—be curious and pick one to uncover its secrets: the concepts, the techniques, and the history behind it.
Participation requirements: From 12 years old and up - Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM
DNA, elementary, my dear Watson
The DNA molecule sits at the heart of our cells and often headlines the news. Embark on a journey to uncover this key to life through a surprising experiment that lets you see it with the naked eye! Depending on the questions from the audience, a particular facet of this molecule can be explored.
Participation requirements: Open to ages 12 and up — Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM
Physics Adventures
The show-and-tell you are the hero of! Come draw lots to select the session’s experiments from a curated set of the facilitator’s and co-facilitator’s favorite "manips," which will be presented as a two-voice, four-handed duet. The fog chamber? An alarm that won’t ring? Liquid that freezes because it boils? Fields in disarray? A flame in space?… Surprise!
Participation requirements: From 9 years old / Capacity: 30 - Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 7:15 PM–8:00 PM, 8:15 PM–9:00 PM, 9:15 PM–10:00 PM
The Evolution of Menstruation and Neuron Modeling. My Thesis in 15 Minutes!
Come discover the PhD work of Claire Lavergne, who is investigating which genes are involved in the evolution of menstruation in mammals, and Adrien D’Hollande, who is developing electronic circuits to model neurons. This is your opportunity to peek into the world of research and chat with PhD students.
Participation requirements: 12 and up — Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 7:15 PM–8:00 PM, 8:15 PM–9:00 PM
A chemistry of light
Matter can absorb or emit light, and light can, in turn, reveal information about matter. We revisit these interactions through a range of phenomena: chemiluminescence, fluorescence, phosphorescence, atomic emission...
Participation conditions : For information and group bookings, call 01 40 05 12 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, or resagroupescite@universcience.fr — Free | Booking required — 01 40 05 12 12, resagroupescite@universcience.fr
Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 7:15 PM to 8:00 PM
Modeling neurons and DNA compaction. My thesis in 15 minutes!
Come explore the PhD research of Adrien d’Hollande, who builds electronic circuits to model neurons, and Hedvika Martin, who studies the molecules that regulate DNA compaction in our cells. It’s a chance for you to get a window into the world of research and to chat with PhD students.
Participation conditions: Ages 12 and up – Free | No booking required
Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 9:15 PM to 10:00 PM
Some mysteries of the sense of smell
Is there a link between chemistry and odors? Come and see for yourself.
With a few experiments, get a feel for how smell works. How do your nose and brain let you perceive scents? Is it normal not to smell like your neighbor? The recognition of odors depends on many factors.
Participation requirements: Open to ages 15 and up - Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, May 23, 2026 — 9:15 PM to 10:00 PM
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Dates and Opening Time
On May 23, 2026
Location
Sparks from the Palais de la découverte
186 Rue St Charles
75015 Paris 15
Route planner
Prices
Free
Recommended age
From 9 years old
Official website
www.palais-decouverte.fr
