Maison Poincaré

About the museum

The Maison Poincaré is the mathematics museum of the Institut Henri Poincaré (IHP), located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. It presents itself as the legacy of two scholars: Émile Borel, founder of the IHP, and Jean Perrin, initiator of the CNRS and the Palais de la Découverte. The project was conceived by the institute in the 2010s, and the museum opened its doors on September 30, 2023.

The museum occupies about 900 m² in Jean Perrin's former physical chemistry laboratory. Historic spaces have been preserved, such as the office of Jean Perrin and Yvette Cauchois, the former tea room and the Jean Perrin amphitheater. The museum is a department of the IHP, supported by the CNRS and Sorbonne Université.

The permanent exhibition offers a route of about two hours through seven spaces, each named after an action verb: connect, become, share, invent, model, visualize and breathe. It combines hands-on exhibits, interactive devices, videos, collection objects and a mixed-reality experience, Holo-Math. A garden open to all houses a sculpture by Ulysse Lacoste, the Rulpidon. Temporary exhibitions and events complete the visit.

Highlights

• Permanent route through seven spaces built around action verbs
• Immersive mixed-reality experience: Holo-Math
• Mathematical metro map in the atrium
• Jean Perrin's historic office and preserved amphitheater
• Jacqueline Ferrand Garden and the Rulpidon sculpture by Ulysse Lacoste

Permanent exhibition

• Exposition permanente – A route of about two hours through seven spaces, with hands-on exhibits, videos, collection objects and a mixed-reality experience, showing how current mathematics is and how it connects to everyday life.

Founded

2023

Operated by

Institut Henri Poincaré (CNRS et Sorbonne Université)

Admission & discounts

Individual ticket for self-guided visits. Free with valid proof, in particular for under-18s, recipients of minimum social benefits, job seekers, holders of the Pass Éducation, students, affiliated visual artists and several categories of staff in higher education, research, culture and the City of Paris. Online ticketing.

Accessibility

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

According to the museum, all spaces are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, visually impaired and hearing-impaired visitors. Only guide dogs for the blind and assistance dogs for visitors with reduced mobility are admitted.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 12+

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

The visit is for people aged 12 and over; under-15s must be accompanied. A family booklet guides children from age 7 on a route of about one hour, and Saturday workshops are open to younger visitors from age 7. Strollers are not admitted.

Getting there & parking

The museum is close to the Panthéon and the Luxembourg Garden, in the same premises as the Henri Poincaré Institute.

Amenities & dining

• Lockers

Free lockers in the basement take backpacks and small luggage, which are not allowed during the visit. Because the “Urgence attentat” alert level is in force, suitcases and bags larger than 50 x 25 x 40 cm are not admitted.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit