Palais de la Decouverte (Science Museum)
Palais de la Decouverte offers a fantastic array of permanent exhibits that will keep you spellbound for many hours
Paris is home to many museums that focus on art and culture, however, breaking that trend with a diverse range of superb scientific exhibits is the Palais de la Decouverte or the Palace of Discovery. The Science museum in the Grand Palais covers a 25,000 m2 spread where visitors will experience many exhibits demystifying science.
The museum was first established in 1937 by Jean Baptiste Perrin, recipient of the 1926 Physics Nobel Prize, as part of the international exhibition on Arts and Techniques of Modern life. The success of the exhibition led the government of France to dedicate a large portion of the Grand Palais to the museum in the following year naming it Palais de la Decouverte. In January 2010 the museum formed a partnership with the Cite des Sciences et de l'industrie under the name universcience.
To date, the Science museum encompasses permanent exhibits in the fields of astrophysics and astronomy, physics, mathematics, chemistry, geosciences and life science. You will thoroughly enjoy the interactive displays and dynamic experiments in both the temporary and permanent exhibition areas. The Planet and Cosmology exhibits are outstanding. You'll also want to be sure and pay the small additional fee to take in a show at the museum's planetarium, however, keep in mind that the shows are in French. In the geosciences exhibit you can learn more about the sometimes frightening topic of earthquakes and volcanos. This is a place that makes mathematics interesting even to those who aren't mathematically inclined.
Palais de la Decouverte organizes and offers scientific activities that include conferences, symposia, as well as other meetings that have been proven to successfully attract the students, advanced and novice scientists, and general public alike.
Nearby attractions: Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais - (Grand Palace National Gallery), Musée des Beaux-Arts - (Fine Arts Museum) and Musée de l'Orangerie - (Paintings)
Facts For Your Visit
Official Website: Palais de la Decouverte
Fee: YesAddress: Av. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 75008 Paris, France
Phone: 01 56 43 20 20
Official Website: Palais de la Decouverte
Reviews
Rated out of 5
I wanted to love this museum more than I did. For an English speaking visitor, I could not enjoy the experiments or interactive rooms. Most if not all the demonstrations are done in 100% French. Regardless, it was a fun place to explore and play especially with children. I love that this museum has many things built on their eye level. You’ll enjoy even watching other children not yours discover science! This museum participated in the Paris Museum Pass. I highly recommend the pass for visitors traveling to Paris.
Ed Reggi - 5 years ago
I wanted to love this museum more than I did. For an English speaking visitor, I could not enjoy the experiments or interactive rooms. Most if not all the demonstrations are done in 100% French. Regardless, it was a fun place to explore and play especially with children. I love that this museum has many things built on their eye level. You’ll enjoy even watching other children not yours discover science! This museum participated in the Paris Museum Pass. I highly recommend the pass for visitors traveling to Paris.
Staffs are friendly and kind, they explained in details before selling the ticket to you. All items are explained in french, some of them supplemented with english. The museum is good for people who loves science from primary to tertiary level. It is an air-conditioning place, however, some experiments and exhibits generate heat, the temperature is a bit high there.
Michelle TSAI - 5 years ago
Staffs are friendly and kind, they explained in details before selling the ticket to you.
All items are explained in french, some of them supplemented with english.
The museum is good for people who loves science from primary to tertiary level.
It is an air-conditioning place, however, some experiments and exhibits generate heat, the temperature is a bit high there.
Jaevie Dulay - 5 years ago
Jayjay Seetan - 4 years ago
Frederic - 4 years ago
Accommodations near Palais de la Decouverte:
Directions
| Metro / RER Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| M1 or M9 | Franklin Delano Roosevelt | 4 minutes |
| M13 | Champs-Élysées - Clemenceau | 5 minutes |
| M8 or RER-C | Invalides | 12 minutes |
How to get to Palais de la Decouverte by Metro / RER
By Metro or RER-C: From Metro Line 13 exit at Champs-Élysées - Clemenceau Station. The Grand Palais is immediately south of the exit. Follow Avenue du General Eisenhower beside the Grand Palais all the way to Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt and go left to the entrance.
From Metro Line 1 or 9 exit at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Station and follow Franklin Delano Roosevelt straight south off the traffic circle to entrance.
From M8 or RER-C exit at Invalides and walk north over the Alexandre III bridge to Cours la Rein and go left. Follow the path along the side of the Grand Palais and angling across the garden to the entrance on the west side of Grand Palais.
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Photo Gallery
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On of many interactive science exhibits at the Palais de la Decouverte that provide educational fun for the entire family cc licensed photo by Gaël Chardon
