Palais de la découverte
Science museum housed in the west wing of the Grand Palais; during its renovation it already welcomes children aged 2 to 10 at the Palais des enfants.
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About the museum
The Palais de la découverte was born in 1937, on the occasion of the Paris International Exhibition. The physicist Jean Perrin and André Léveillé designed it in the west wing of the Grand Palais with a guiding idea: to show science in the making, through experiments carried out in front of the public. The exhibition’s success led the State to make the institution permanent in 1938.
Over the decades the museum’s status evolved: placed under the supervision of the University of Paris in 1940, it became an autonomous public institution in 1972, then a major institution in 1990. Since 2010 it has been part of Universcience, together with the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie. Its demonstrations of optics, electrostatics or liquid air, as well as its planetarium, marked generations of visitors.
The museum has been closed in its historic form since 2020 for a major renovation. During the works, activities were offered at temporary sites, notably at Les Étincelles in the 15th arrondissement, and the Palais des enfants, an art and science space for ages 2 to 10, opened in the building. Full reopening is announced for March 2027, with seven mediation halls, a domed planetarium, laboratories and around fifty small exhibitions.
Highlights
- Palais des enfants: an art and science space for ages 2 to 10
- Planetarium under a 15-metre dome (after reopening)
- Demonstrations of electrostatics and electromagnetism
- Seven mediation halls: physics, chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, biology, computer science, geosciences
- Laboratories to try the methods of researchers
Permanent exhibition
- Palais des enfants – A permanent space blending art and science, designed for children aged 2 to 10, with immersive environments, artworks and hands-on experiments.
- Founded
- 1937
- Operated by
- Universcience
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €13 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €13free up to age 1 · Palais des enfants rate for children aged 2 to 10, accompanied by an adult; the adult must also have a ticket. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free for people with disabilities and one companion, on proof. |
| Groups | €9 per personTicket price per ticket for tourist groups; free admission conditions may apply to certain groups from the social or disability sectors. |
| Member rate (Palais de la découverte, Cité des sciences or GrandPalais pass) | €8 |
The ticket is valid only for the date and time booked, even for free admissions. Free admission for children under 2 (with ID), press card holders and holders of the Universcience VIP card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Lifts to all levels. Free loan of wheelchairs, seated walking sticks, magnifiers, weighted blankets and an induction loop. The current exhibition offers films in French Sign Language, “touch and see” devices and Braille on some elements. Guided visits by reservation.
Kids & families
Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 2+
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 1 |
|---|
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
The Palais des enfants is for children aged 2 to 10 (up to 12 for children with disabilities). Strollers are lent on request and baby carriers are available at the cloakroom. Changing tables are in all the restrooms. The temporary site Les Étincelles (Paris 15th) offers workshops and talks in French from age 6.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau
Metro: Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau or Franklin D. Roosevelt. Bus: 28, 42, 52, 63, 72, 73, 80, 83 and 93 (Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées stop). RER C: Invalides. Batobus: Champs-Élysées stop.
By car
Parking available
Car parks: Rond-point des Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, Parc François-1er, Alma George-V, Champs-Élysées Lincoln and Matignon.
Vélib’ stations no. 8029 (1 avenue Franklin-D.-Roosevelt) and no. 8001 (avenue Dutuit).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Coat check
- Lockers
Dining at the Grand Café (via the Rotonde Clemenceau), at the Réséda Café by Thierry Marx (mezzanine) and in the Salon Seine. Self-service lockers on level -1; bags larger than 42 x 30 x 20 cm are not admitted to the visiting areas.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Entrance is via Square Jean Perrin. Advance booking is advised, as capacity is limited. |
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