Located within the west wing of the Grand Palais, the Palace of Discovery (Palais de la découverte) stands as a legendary scientific institution dedicated to promoting scientific knowledge through interactive demonstrations, exhibitions, and hands-on experiments.
Founded in 1937, the museum has long inspired the public by showcasing the marvels of astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, medicine, mathematics, and physics.
Today, this unique space invites visitors of all ages to actively engage with science, bringing together past achievements and the latest in scientific exploration to fuel curiosity and foster new scientific vocations.
A Historical Landmark for Science and Public Engagement
The vision for the Palace of Discovery dates back to 1934 when Nobel laureate Jean Perrin and André Léveillé imagined a museum that would demystify science, making it accessible and inspiring for everyone. The initial vision materialized in 1937 during the Universal Exposition as a temporary museum aimed at demonstrating science in action.
From the beginning, the Palace was designed to break down barriers between laboratories and the public, enabling audiences to observe live experiments, connect with scientists, and explore scientific concepts through engaging demonstrations. In its first year alone, the museum attracted two million visitors, a testament to its lasting appeal.
Over the decades, the Palace evolved to include interactive exhibits, transitioning from lectures and demonstrations in the 1970s to today’s immersive, experimental displays. Now part of Universcience—an organization that also includes the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie—the Palace continues to offer dynamic scientific programming during its extensive renovations at the Étincelles space, situated at 186 Rue Saint-Charles.
Interactive and Inspiring Science Experiences
Designed to encourage public participation, the Palace of Discovery hosts a variety of interactive experiences that introduce visitors to major scientific phenomena and concepts.
Experiments on liquid air, electrostatics, and radioactivity are displayed, allowing audiences to witness science firsthand. As a hub for scientific mediation, the museum not only introduces visitors to fundamental sciences but also sparks career interests in young visitors.
Modern Science on Display: A New Era of Exploration
Following its reopening, the reimagined Palace of Discovery will offer a wealth of innovative exhibits and activities. This new chapter features the following unique spaces and installations:
- The Astronomical Observatory: A state-of-the-art observatory offers daytime and nighttime observations, with projections from solar and astronomical instruments presented in real time. This feature is designed to immerse visitors in space exploration, with activities ranging from solar observations to participatory research on exoplanets and celestial tracking.
- Hands-On Laboratories: Equipped with professional scientific instruments, these labs allow visitors to engage in live experiments under the guidance of mediators, scientists, or artists. Covering topics such as biology, chemistry, and computer science, the five laboratories introduce the investigative methods of scientific practice through practical activities.
- Equatorial Garden: This unique indoor space simulates the Guyanese equatorial ecosystem, housing a variety of species in realistic terrariums, aquariums, and open-air settings. This environment-oriented exhibit invites visitors to explore biodiversity and environmental sciences.
- Dynamic Displays and Curiosity Islands: Special “manipes-icônes” installations, which are large-scale, visually impactful displays, are scattered throughout the museum to illustrate key scientific principles. Additionally, 44 Curiosity Islands—themed mini-exhibits—are dedicated to fundamental sciences, cutting-edge research, and the processes behind scientific discovery.
- The Grand Format Room: In this immersive room, advanced interactive and immersive digital technologies will guide visitors through time-travel journeys and large-scale research projects. With interactive projections and guided sessions, this space offers a powerful visual and interactive storytelling experience.
- The Children’s Palace: An innovative space of 620 square meters, this area under the Rotunda of the Palace is designed for children ages 2 to 10. Through interactive installations, scientific displays, and art pieces, children can experience science in a playful and visually engaging manner, cultivating curiosity and imagination from a young age.
- The Planétarium: Housed under the dome of the Grand Palais, the new planetarium will seat 200 visitors beneath a 15-meter-wide dome, where hybrid projection systems merge optical and digital displays for a one-of-a-kind star-gazing experience.