Photo: Ecole polytechnique from Paris · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Mus’X

Museum of the École polytechnique devoted to scientific instruments and the history of the school, closed for works until 2030.

Temporarily closed

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Mus’XTemporarily closed

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Temporarily closed (expected until 2030). The museum has been closed to the public since October 5, 2025 because of renovation works on the central building. Reopening is planned for 2030. The collections remain accessible online.

About the museum

The Mus’X presents the historical collections that the École polytechnique has assembled since its founding in 1794 for teaching and research. They are now managed by the Historical Resources Centre of the central library. Some 150 historic scientific instruments serve as the thread running through the display, alongside busts, uniforms and flags.

The idea of a museum arose in 2014 as part of a renovation project for the central building. The museum was set up on the garden level of the library, covering 934 m², thanks to the patronage of Hubert Lévy-Lambert. It comprised a permanent exhibition, organized by major themes (measurement and mathematics, electricity and magnetism, optics, chemistry and heat, hydrostatics, science and society), and a temporary exhibition renewed every year.

The museum closed to the public on October 5, 2025, in preparation for the renovation works on the central building. The central library remains open. Reopening is planned for 2030, and the collections remain available to consult online.