An Hour to Understand Europe
Does Europe sometimes seem complex, distant or difficult to understand? The series “An Hour to Understand Europe” aims to make European issues accessible to everyone.
Presented by Europa Experience and hosted by the editorial team at Toute l’Europe, a leading online outlet dedicated to accessible information about the European Union, this annual series of 13 one-hour mini-lectures offers a better understanding of how the EU works, its institutions and policies, and the major issues in the news: digital technology, defence, the environment, trade agreements…
Each mini-lecture explores a specific topic as part of a broader progression. Taken together, the mini-lectures build a comprehensive and coherent view of the European Union, although each session can also be attended independently, depending on your knowledge and interests.
This short course is open to everyone, with no prior knowledge required. The aim is not to make every participant an expert on Europe, but to give them a solid grounding in the EU.
In one hour, one topic, the keys to understanding European policies that affect our daily lives, jargon-free answers, and a promise: the European Union isn’t so complicated!
Two events each month, free and open to everyone: one mini-lecture on EU governance on Saturday (3–4 p.m.) and one themed mini-lecture on Thursday (6:30–7:30 p.m.).
During this mini-lecture, you’ll learn to distinguish between the European institutions and understand who makes the decisions. What role do Members of the European Parliament, European Commissioners and member states play? Who drafts European “laws”?
Saturday, November 7 & 21, 2026
In this mini-lecture, you’ll learn to distinguish between the European institutions and understand who makes the decisions.
What roles do Members of the European Parliament, European Commissioners and Member States play?
Who drafts European “laws”?
Europa Expérience, an immersive exhibition on the European Union
Europa Experience is a unique interactive space on the European Union situated in the heart of Paris, in front of the famous Madeleine church. This 1500m2 permanent exhibition about the European Union, spread over three floors has a main goal: providing visitors with an immersive, interactive and enriching experience. Through a multimedia journey with enhanced reality activities and a 360° cinema, you travel to the four corners of the EU... from Paris. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
Next days
Wednesday:
from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Thursday:
from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Friday:
from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Saturday:
from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Monday:
from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Tuesday:
from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Location
Europa Experience Paris
28 Place de la Madeleine
75008 Paris 8
Route planner
Access
Metro Madeleine (lines 8, 12 and 14) or Concorde (lines 1, 8 and 12)
Official website
visiting.europarl.europa.eu
Instagram page
@parlementeuropeen
More information
Opening hours:
Thursdays, 6:30–7:30 p.m. – Saturdays, 3–4 p.m.
Europa Expérience, an immersive exhibition on the European Union
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![[En attente de visuels] Sous les arbres de ce domaine se cache une demeure dessinée par l’architecte de Napoléon](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/1022/66131/1327749-sous-les-arbres-de-ce-domaine-se-cache-une-demeure-dessinee-par-l-architecte-de-napoleon.jpg)
![[En attente de visuels] Sous les arbres de ce domaine se cache une demeure dessinée par l’architecte de Napoléon](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/1023/66131/1327749-sous-les-arbres-de-ce-domaine-se-cache-une-demeure-dessinee-par-l-architecte-de-napoleon.jpg)
![[En attente de visuels] Sous les arbres de ce domaine se cache une demeure dessinée par l’architecte de Napoléon](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/1024/66131/1327749-sous-les-arbres-de-ce-domaine-se-cache-une-demeure-dessinee-par-l-architecte-de-napoleon.jpg)
