The Curie Museum is located within the Val-de-Grâce neighborhood in the 5th arrondissement, just steps away from the Panthéon. The museum forms part of the prestigious “Curie Campus” and sits in the historic “Curie Pavilion,” designed by architect Henri-Paul Nénot.
This space, operated by CNRS and the Curie Institute, commemorates the revolutionary scientific discoveries of Pierre and Marie Curie, focusing on the birth of radioactivity and its early applications in medical treatments such as radiotherapy.
The museum stands as both a site of memory and a vital resource for understanding the history of science.
Permanent Exhibition: Explore the World of Radioactivity
The Curie Museum invites visitors to immerse themselves in the rich history of the Curie family’s groundbreaking work. The museum is housed in Marie Curie’s former laboratory, which played a pivotal role in the study of radioactivity.
On display are preserved instruments, personal objects, and archival documents from the era, taking visitors through the fascinating scientific journey that began with the discovery of radium.
Exhibits illustrate the life and achievements of both Marie and Pierre Curie, as well as their daughter Irène and her husband Frédéric Joliot-Curie, who continued the family’s legacy by discovering artificial radioactivity. Visitors can explore their laboratory, which has been carefully preserved to maintain its authenticity.
The Curie Family: Nobel Laureates and Pioneers
The museum honors the legacy of the Curie family, who together have won five Nobel Prizes. Marie Curie remains the only woman to have received two Nobel Prizes in two different fields—Physics in 1903 and Chemistry in 1911.
The museum’s interactive exhibits provide a chronological journey through the Curie family’s scientific breakthroughs, allowing visitors to delve into their personal lives and professional collaborations through historic photographs, letters, and original artifacts.
The Myth and Reality of Radium
Radium, discovered by the Curies in 1898, was once hailed as a miraculous element. The museum’s displays highlight the cultural and scientific impact of this discovery, from its early associations with health and beauty products to its critical role in cancer treatment.
This section addresses both the public fascination with radium’s luminescent properties and the eventual understanding of its harmful effects. The exhibits also feature unique items from the early 20th century, including rare radium-based consumer goods.
The Curie Laboratory: A Hub of Scientific Innovation
Step inside the renowned Curie laboratory, where Marie Curie and her team conducted pioneering research at the intersection of physics and chemistry. The laboratory has been meticulously restored, offering an authentic glimpse into the world of early 20th-century scientific exploration.
The museum displays scientific instruments from this period, including those used by Marie Curie herself, alongside rare documents detailing key discoveries made at the laboratory. It was here, in 1934, that Irène and Frédéric Joliot-Curie made their Nobel-winning discovery of artificial radioactivity.
The Curie Foundation and Cancer Treatment
In addition to scientific research, the Curie Institute has played a key role in the medical application of radioactivity. Visitors can learn about the founding of the Curie Foundation and its dispensary, which opened in 1921 to treat cancer patients.
This section of the museum showcases early radiotherapy techniques and the contributions of Dr. Claudius Regaud, a pioneer of cancer treatment. Historical medical instruments and documents highlight the evolution of cancer therapies during the 20th century, while posters and archival images recall public health campaigns from the era.
Radium215 Exhibition by C215
The museum’s courtyard and garden offer visitors a unique blend of art and science. The artist C215 has created a series of portraits, depicting members of the Curie and Joliot-Curie families as well as their collaborators. These 11 portraits, along with symbolic representations of the atom, adorn the museum’s façade and garden.