Cité de l'espace
Space discovery park in Toulouse with a replica of Ariane 5, the Mir station, a planetarium, an IMAX cinema and exhibitions on space exploration.
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About the museum
The Cité de l’espace project was launched by the City of Toulouse between 1994 and 1997. The park was inaugurated in June 1997 by mayor Dominique Baudis and astronaut Claudie Haigneré, who is its godmother. The main building was constructed on the unfinished site of a planned museum foundation and designed by the firm Cardete et Huet.
The site covers about 4 hectares and offers around 4,000 m² of exhibition space. In the Promenade spatiale (space promenade), full-scale objects include a 53-metre-high replica of Ariane 5, a Soyuz capsule, an Apollo lunar module and the Chang’e 4 rover. A 1:1 scale model of the Mir station has been open since July 1998.
The park also includes two planetariums, an IMAX cinema, permanent exhibitions and the LuneXplorer attraction, which opened in November 2023. The site is owned by the City of Toulouse and operated by the company Semeccel. In July 2023 it welcomed its eight-millionth visitor.
Highlights
- 53-metre-tall replica of Ariane 5
- Full-scale Mir space station
- Planetarium and IMAX cinema
- LuneXplorer, an immersive lunar mission
- Martian landscape with rovers
Permanent exhibitions
- LuneXplorer – Immersive attraction that simulates a mission to the Moon.
- Station Mir – Visit to a full-size model of the Mir space station.
- Terrain martien – A Martian landscape with rovers, to understand the exploration of Mars.
- Founded
- 1997
- Operated by
- Semeccel (propriété de la Ville de Toulouse)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 452,000 (2024)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €29 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €26Job seekers and people with disabilities (adults) |
| Children & teens | €22.50free up to age 4 · Child rate for ages 5 to 18; free for children under 5. |
| Students & apprentices | €22.50Students and volunteers in the civic service (service civique) pay the youth rate. |
| 1-day evening ticket (adult) | €32Child and student €25.50. |
| Half-price evening session, online sales from 19:00 (adult) | €16Child €12.70. |
| Reduced rate for children, young people or students | €20.50 |
Prices may change without notice; the homepage shows tickets from €22.50, depending on the date. Proof is required for reduced rates. Two-day tickets, combined tickets and an annual pass also exist. Teachers with a Pass Éducation get free admission on the day of their visit.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description
The whole site is wheelchair accessible, with elevators and ramps, except the Mir station. Induction loops at reception and in the show spaces, audio description in the show spaces, a large-print guide and a Braille booklet in the gardens, and a tactile model of the ISS. Strollers, wheelchairs and folding seats are lent at reception against ID.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
- Kids’ birthday parties
The La Cité des petits area is for children from age 4; routes for ages 4 to 8 are suggested in the park’s app, and activities suit all ages. LuneXplorer has no minimum age but requires a minimum height of 1.30 m. Strollers can be left in a dedicated area at the entrance to the shows.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Cité de l'espace
Metro line A to Roseraie or metro line B to Rangueil, then Linéo bus 12 to the Cité de l’espace stop.
By car
Free parking
Free parking on site, with three electric vehicle charging points; free bicycle shelter. The Balma-Gramont park-and-ride is recommended.
About 15 minutes by car from central Toulouse and 25 minutes from the airport. VélôToulouse bikes can be rented at the Cité de l’espace station.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Lockers
Restaurant l’Astronaute, 149 Café and La Terrasse Guyanaise. Covered picnic areas. Lockers for large luggage in the entrance hall.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The site recommends allowing two days for the visit. Bags are checked at the entrance. Minors must be accompanied by an adult; children under 16 need an accompanying adult or written permission. Animals are prohibited, except guide dogs for the blind. |
