The Cité des Sciences is taking part in this year's edition of the Nights of Reading, from January 21 to 25, 2026. The museum's library is offering a wide range of activities for children of all ages.
The Night of Reading was launched in 2017 by the Ministry of Culture. Organized by the National Book Center, this event aims to celebrate the joy of reading and bring together book lovers for fun, engaging, and welcoming gatherings. Across France, libraries, schools, museums, cultural centers, and historic sites open their doors to enthusiasts of all ages, offering special programs to mark this special occasion.
In Paris and across Île-de-France, readers can enjoy a variety of unique events during these Night of Reading festivities. Families with children (and their parents) are especially encouraged to visit the Cité des Sciences in the 19th arrondissement, where a range of games and workshops will be held from January 21 to 25, 2026.
Nights of Reading 2026: The Schedule for the Literary Night Event in Paris & Île-de-France
It’s one of the most anticipated events on the cultural calendar, delighting book lovers across the city! The Night of Reading returns to our Parisian libraries and bookstores from January 21 to 25, 2026. This year’s theme explores the contrasts between city and countryside—come meet authors, enjoy exclusive readings, and take part in special tours. [Read more]
The Cité des Sciences has prepared a wide range of activities for children of all ages, from the little ones to nearly-teens. Expect themed games and tours, storytelling, creative workshops, and scientific experiments — an adventure into the world of books in a hundred different ways! Here is the schedule of the event. Be sure to check the entry requirements before heading over.
The Nuits de la Lecture Program at the City of Science:
- From Wednesday, January 21 to Sunday, January 25, 2026
In celebration of the Night of Reading—part of a national event organized by the National Book Center—the library is offering a variety of activities for all ages centered around the theme of towns and countryside, with playgrounds just waiting to be explored!
These activities are free of charge while spots last.
Located on the ground floor of the library unless otherwise indicated.
Wednesday, January 21
- The Future Garden City
At 2:30 PM.
Come reflect on the role of nature and urban life, and create your ideal neighborhood through collage! This philosophical workshop encourages children to think about environmental preservation and invites them to imagine the city of tomorrow.
Led by mediators from the City of Science and Industry.
Ages 6 and up.
Duration: 1.5 hours.
- Wall Mural: Between City and Countryside
Starting at 3:00 PM.
Participants will embark on an artistic journey exploring both urban and rural landscapes! With artist Tiffanie Pichon (studio Kokoni), they’ll create a vibrant painted scene to craft a colorful landscape. A collaborative mural accessible to everyone!
Ages 6 and up.
Ongoing activity from 3:00 PM onwards.
Saturday, January 24
- PERFORMANCES AND STORIES
- Stories of Cities and Countrysides
At 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM.
City or countryside… Why choose when you can travel from one to the other through stories? Tales of animals or humans, true stories where fiction is hard to distinguish... One thing’s for sure: they’ll surprise us with their vivid colors, wherever we are! In the countryside, hens are baking pastries and frogs dream of towering skyscrapers. In the city, cobblers are badly shod, and the word machine runs wild. From urban buildings to fields of wheat, music will accompany us on this journey — so… full speed ahead!
Featuring Léa Decque (music) and Claire Rassinoux (storytelling).
Ages 6 and up.
Duration: 45 min.
- Paris, Paname by Jules Trottoir
Starting at 3 PM.
Set in a backdrop of vintage sheet music and accompanied by a barrel organ, Jules Trottoir invites you to sing and dance! A musical stroll through the Paris of yesteryear, once called Paname, with tunes from Renaud, Gainsbourg, Greco, Piaf, Trénet, Mouloudji, and even Dagobert and the Cadets Rousselle. The performance is a sung trio by the Trottoir Express Company.
Open to all audiences.
Duration: 15-20 minutes — multiple performances.
Location: Science and Industry City Hall.
- The Little Tales
At 2 PM, 3:30 PM, and 4:30 PM.
Since time immemorial, humans have told and shared stories. Others listen and pass them on... In the cozy ambiance of the Shadoks room, let yourself be carried away by tales carefully selected by librarians to enchant both children and adults alike!
Presented by librarians and mediators from the Science and Industry City.
Ages 2 and up.
Duration: 30 min.
- CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
- Create Your Permavillage
At 2 PM.
A play mat, Lego® bricks, recycled materials, a touch of greenery — you’re the construction manager and architect transforming today’s village and its surroundings into a Permavillage! An autonomous, eco-friendly, and fascinating future village where gardens replace commercial zones and grain silos are covered in tiny homes, with nature reigning supreme.
Led by author and architect Olivier Dain-Belmont.
Ages 7 and up.
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Popville Workshop: Make Your Pop-Up City!
At 4:30 PM.
Discover basic techniques for creating animated books with Louis Rigaud and craft a pop-up map inspired by the book Popville (published by Hélium).
Led by author-illustrator Louis Rigaud.
Ages 6 and up.
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours.
- SCIENCE ENGAGEMENTS
- Wandering Seeds
From 2 PM to 4 PM.
How can you recognize a seed? How does it move around? Come explore the incredible diversity of seed shapes, colors, and dispersal strategies! You’ll even have the chance to gather some to take home in a “seed bomb” to restore vegetation in your chosen spot with native, local seeds.
Facilitators from the Science and Industry City.
In connection with the “Gardening” exhibit.
Ages 4 and up.
Duration: Continuous.
- Biodiversity Mission
From 2 PM to 6 PM.
A short sound walk to help revive biodiversity in towns and countryside. Equipped with a Bookinou (an audio storyteller), kids will learn about local animal and plant species as they listen to guided stories.
Facilitators from the Science and Industry City.
Ages 5 and up, accompanied by an adult.
Duration: Continuous.
- Energy: Powering Our World
From 2 PM to 5 PM.
Through an impressive mechanical model, children and families discover where fossil and renewable energies come from, how they work, and how they impact our planet.
Facilitators from the Science and Industry City.
Ages 6 and up.
Duration: Continuous.
- From Fields to City: A French Story
From 2 PM to 5 PM.
What if we could go back in time to see how our villages grew into the landscapes we know today? Travel through key moments like the arrival of electricity, factories, roads, and supermarkets. Starting from old rural scenes, we’ll explore how history and changes shaped the land—and imagine what our countryside will look like tomorrow. A lively, creative, participative workshop for the entire family!
Facilitators from the Science and Industry City.
Ages 6 and up.
Duration: Continuous.
- Green Plant, Green Planet
From 2 PM to 5 PM.
Plants brighten our homes and nourish us—but how do they find what they need to survive? Why can using fertilizers sometimes cause problems? Come find out the answers and more.
Facilitators from the Science and Industry City.
Ages 9 and up.
Duration: Continuous.
- GAMES
The Game Boulevard
Starting at 2 PM.
Come and explore our “Game Boulevard,” a dedicated space featuring a curated selection of board games for everyone. Building, strategy, agility, cooperation — there's something for every taste.
Ages 4 and up.
Open access: ongoing, subject to availability.
- DOCUMENTARY SELECTION
Reading Lounge
Starting at noon.
A cozy and welcoming area set up on the library bridge offers a relaxing space for sharing and discovering stories from our collections, tailored for both children and adults.
All audiences.
Ongoing.
Sunday, January 25
- PERFORMANCES AND STORIES
- City tales, countryside stories
At 3:15 p.m. and 5 p.m.
City or countryside… why choose one when you can travel between both through stories? Animal tales or human stories, true stories or tall tales — there’s no end to the adventures! Whether in the fields or in the city, these stories will take you on a journey full of surprises. In the countryside, chickens bake pastries and frogs dream of growing as tall as skyscrapers. In the city, shoemakers are poorly shod and words fly out of control. From towering buildings to golden wheat fields, music will be our guide as we hit the road. So... all aboard!
With Léa Decque (music) and Claire Rassinoux (storytelling).
Suitable for ages 6 and up.
Duration: 45 minutes.
- CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
- Popville Workshop: Build your own pop-up city!
At 3 p.m.
Learn the basics of creating animated paper books with Louis Rigaud and craft a pop-up map inspired by the book Popville (Hélium editions).
Led by author-illustrator Louis Rigaud.
Ages 6 and up.
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Wall Mural: Between city and countryside
Starting at 2 p.m.
Participants will embark on an artistic journey across urban and rural landscapes! With artist Tiffanie Pichon (Studio Kokoni), they’ll create a colorful painted backdrop to imagine a vibrant scenery. A collaborative mural accessible for all!
Ages 6 and up.
Ongoing from 3 p.m.
- SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
- Wandering Seeds
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
How can you spot a seed? How does it move around? Come explore different seed shapes, colors, and dispersal strategies! You’ll even have the chance to pick some to take home in a “seed bomb” and plant a patch of native, local species.
Organized by mediators from the City of Science and Industry.
Linked to the Gardening exhibit.
Ages 4 and up.
Ongoing activity.
- What's in My Green Plant’s Plate?
From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Plants brighten our homes and nourish us... but how do they find what they need to survive? Why can fertilizers sometimes cause issues? Find out the answers to these questions and more with us.
Organized by mediators from the City of Science and Industry.
Suitable for ages 9 and up.
Ongoing activity.
- Biodiversity Mission
From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Join a gentle sound walk to help revive urban and rural biodiversity. Equipped with a Bookinou (an audio storytelling device acting as an audio guide), participants will learn about local animal and plant species that inhabit our world.
Organized by mediators from the City of Science and Industry.
Suitable for children 5 and up accompanied by an adult.
Ongoing activity.
- GAMES
Game Boulevard
Starting at 2 p.m.
Come and explore our “Game Boulevard,” a space dedicated to discovering a curated selection of board games for everyone. Whether it's construction, strategy, agility, or cooperative play — there’s something for everyone.
Ages 4 and up.
Ongoing, subject to availability.
- DOCUMENTARY SELECTION
Reading Lounge
From 12 p.m.
A cozy, comfortable space has been set up on the library's walkway for moments of relaxation and sharing around our collections, curated for both children and adults.
All ages.
Ongoing activity.
Enjoy this fun and unusual event happening in Paris!
Nights of Reading 2026: The Schedule for the Literary Night Event in Paris & Île-de-France
