Espace des sciences

About the museum

The Espace des sciences is a center for scientific, technical and industrial culture. It was created in Rennes in 1984 and was initially housed in a shopping center in the city. It has carried its current name since 1997.

Since 2006 it has occupied space in the Champs Libres, a facility of Rennes Métropole that also houses the metropolitan library and the Musée de Bretagne. There it presents exhibitions, a hands-on laboratory, a planetarium and a regular lecture program, including the “Mardis de l’Espace des sciences”.

The venue has a second site in Morlaix, in the former Manufacture des tabacs, which opened in July 2024. It also runs science culture activities throughout Brittany and publishes the magazine Sciences Ouest.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Incroyable Cerveau”, with around fifty hands-on experiments in a funfair setting
• Merlin’s Laboratory: 30 interactive modules in a world inspired by Jules Verne
• Hubert Reeves Planetarium with live-narrated 360° projections
• Weekly lectures and meetings with scientists

Permanent exhibitions

• Incroyable Cerveau – This permanent exhibition explores how the brain works through games, multimedia and hands-on activities, in a funfair atmosphere.
• Le Laboratoire de Merlin – Thirty interactive modules in a world inspired by Jules Verne let visitors experiment with mathematics, mechanics, optics, air and energy.
• Planétarium Hubert Reeves – One-hour sessions projected in 360° under a dome, narrated live by a facilitator, take visitors out into the Universe.

Founded

1984

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every Thursday for students and visitors under 26 (see the note on students)

The €8 price gives access to the exhibitions; Merlin’s Laboratory and the Planetarium are paid separately. Tickets are sold online until the day before the visit or on site in the Champs Libres lobby; tickets bought online must be presented printed. The Espace des sciences does not take part in the first-Sunday-of-the-month scheme. Payment: cash, bank cards, checks, Chèques-Vacances, Chèques Culture, Pass Culture (groups).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The Champs Libres are labeled Tourisme & Handicap. The temporary exhibition and Merlin’s Laboratory are at ground level; an elevator leads to the permanent exhibition and the Planetarium, whose room holds at most 3 wheelchair users. Walking-stick seats and wheelchairs are available at the general reception of the Champs Libres. Floor guidance strips for visually impaired visitors, tactile and descriptive tours, and reading by phone. Induction loop at the Planetarium and the auditorium; sessions in French Sign Language; easy-to-read booklet. Adapted tours on request for people with intellectual, psychological or cognitive disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Merlin’s Laboratory, ideal for families, invites visitors to discover scientific phenomena through play. The Planetarium offers shows for ages 5 to 10 and, during the short school holidays, the “Petit spationaute” show for ages 2 to 5. Strollers are not admitted to the exhibitions or the Planetarium.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Lockers and a scooter storage area are available. Bulky items (suitcases, scooters, strollers) are not admitted to the exhibitions or the Planetarium and cannot be left at reception.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit