Are you hearing about artificial intelligence every day but not sure where to start? The IAgora Festival is setting up shop at the Town Hall of the 13th arrondissement of Paris on Saturday, October 10, 2026, for a day of workshops, demos and debates with free admission. We’ve taken a close look at the program, and there’s plenty to do, for anyone aged 8 to 88.
The event is run by the collective IAgora, which bills it as the first major public festival dedicated to AI. Their premise is that AI shouldn’t remain the sole domain of experts. So good news: you won’t be asked to know how to code at the door.
The name, you may have guessed, nods to the Greek agora—the public square where citizens used to discuss the affairs of the city. And this isn’t the festival’s first trip through Paris. A edition was held in June 2024 at the Maison de la Conversation in the 18th arrondissement, and more than 750 people had signed up.
This year, the 13th arrondissement town hall opens its exhibition halls, with support from Inria, the National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology. Inria researchers and mediators will explain what AI can actually do today—and what it can’t, which is often just as revealing.
For those unable to attend, the festival will move on to Strasbourg, at Shadok, on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Three spaces stay open to the public all day: the main stage, two workshop rooms, and a demos area where facilitators will guide you. Carine Sit, president of IAgora, will lead the roundtables. Here is the full schedule.
Admittedly, we expected a tech fair with booths and gadgets to test. But the program goes in a surprising direction. ChatGPT takes the stand, conversations about therapy chatbots and dating apps pop up, and there’s even a Minitel tucked away in a corner. It’s the kind of place where an hour or two slips by, even if you’re wary of AI.
With kids, you start in the demos area. Each demo lasts 10 to 15 minutes, which fits their attention span—and, to be honest, ours—pretty well. The piece created with AI and the drawing game should be a hit with them. The workshops, meanwhile, are tailored for high school students, university attendees, and adults. Parents wondering how to manage screens at home will likely find plenty to ponder at the Déb'Acteur workshop, scheduled for early afternoon.
A quick tip, though: the workshops run for about one to two hours and spots are limited. If one of them catches your eye, it’s best to arrive early.
The festival will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10:00 to 18:30 at the City Hall of the 13th arrondissement, Place d’Italie. The film discussion starts at 17:30. Admission is free, but since seating is limited, organizers recommend registering via the online ticketing. The detailed program is available on the official site, and the latest updates can be found on the festival’s Instagram account.
The Place d’Italie station (lines 5, 6 and 7) sits right opposite the town hall. When the day ends, Butte-aux-Cailles is just a short stroll away for a drink in its narrow, cobbled streets. The street-art murals along Boulevard Vincent-Auriol aren’t far either.
The festival also lands right in the middle of the Fête de la Science, which runs from October 2 to 12, 2026. Curious visitors can keep the momentum going with the Fête de la Science 2026 program in Paris by arrondissement. And for more ideas in the neighborhood, check out our guide what to do in the 13th arrondissement of Paris.
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Dates and Opening Time
On October 10, 2026
From 10:00 a.m. to 06:30 p.m.
Location
City Hall of the 13th arrondissement, Paris
1 Place d'Italie
75013 Paris 13
Route planner
Accessibility info
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
