The Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, inaugurated in 1986 on the former slaughterhouse grounds of La Villette, has become one of Europe’s largest scientific museums. Located at 30 avenue Corentin‑Cariou in Paris’s 19th arrondissement, it welcomes between 2 and 5 million visitors annually to explore around 30,000 m² of interactive spaces, including the Explora hall, permanent and temporary exhibitions, a planetarium, the Argonaute submarine, and the iconic Géode IMAX cinema sphere.

The museum’s history stems from an initiative by President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, launching a 1980 architectural competition to convert Paris's old abattoir buildings into a science and technology center. Architect Adrien Fainsilber’s winning design transformed the steel structure into a public science hub launched in March 1986 during the Comet Halley Giotto mission events.

At Cité des Sciences, visitors can:

Discover scientific worlds via Explora: space, energy, communication, biology, mathematics.

Experience the permanent Mission spatiale exhibition, divided into five themed zones that simulate astronaut missions to the Moon and Mars.

Attend planetarium shows (additional ~3–5 €).

Explore the Argonaute, a real military submarine now open to visitors.

Visit the Géode, an IMAX dome cinema (typically under renovation).

Enjoy Cité des Enfants, a dedicated interactive space for children (2–7 or 5–12 years) requiring prior booking.

The museum combines educational depth with a playful, immersive atmosphere. It appeals to families, students, and science enthusiasts alike, offering engaging exhibits and hands-on learning experiences.

A fun anecdote: the radiotelescope in the park—out of service since 1990—was restored by radio amateurs and hackers in 2024 and will resume public demonstration observing sessions in March 2025. The site is fully accessible for people with disabilities (motor, visual, auditory, mental), with elevators, ramps and guidance systems; only the submarine remains difficult to access by wheelchair.

Practical info:

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10 am–6 pm, Sunday until 7 pm, closed Mondays, as well as January 1, May 1, December 25.

In high season (July 8–August 31, 2025), the museum is open daily until 7 pm.

Online booking is strongly recommended to avoid queues, especially for children’s areas and the planetarium.

Ticket options include: standard permanent exhibitions (~12 € full rate, 9 € reduced), children’s area similar, planetarium extra charge, day pass (~25 €), free access for children under 2 or special categories.

Getting there: a paid underground parking with 1400+ spaces is available boulevard Macdonald/quai de la Charente; Vélib’ bike stations nearby; bus lines 71, 139, 150, 152; metro line 7 (Porte de la Villette); tram T3b; RER E via Pantin station (~15 min walk).

On-site services include free cloakroom, café and restaurants (Mezzo Di Pasta, Hublot, café de la Cité…), souvenir boutique, audio guides in multiple languages, library, workshops, free WiFi.

A typical visit lasts about 2 hours, but planning half a day allows time for multiple exhibits, workshops or a planetarium show, and a leisurely stroll in Parc de la Villette or a coffee break at the onsite cafés.