Cité des sciences et de l'industrie

The Cité des sciences et de l'industrie dominates the northern part of the Parc de la Villette in Paris's 19th arrondissement and serves as a major center for science, technology, and industry. The building, which together with the Cité de la musique and the conservatory marks the corners of the park, was built on the site of a former slaughterhouse and livestock market that was relocated in the 1970s. To revitalize the neglected neighborhood, architect Adrien Fainsilber was commissioned in 1980 to turn an unfinished 1960s hall into a futuristic museum of steel and glass. It opened in 1986, timed to coincide with the encounter between Halley's Comet and the Giotto space probe. A public institution run under the French ministries of culture and research, the museum is aimed above all at children and teenagers, with the goal of sparking an interest in science and industry, and it draws millions of visitors every year.

A visit here is a hands-on experience, as the museum relies less on static displays than on interactive experiments. The large permanent exhibition, Explora, spans several floors and is divided into themed sections such as mathematics, optics, biology, energy, and transportation. In the transportation section, you can marvel at models of French engineering such as the TGV high-speed train or the Rafale fighter jet, while the space section displays parts of the Ariane 5 rocket. A bridge high above the floor leads to areas devoted to biotechnology and genetic engineering, where you'll also find historic greenhouses and videos on marine research at hot underwater vents. The offerings are rounded out by a planetarium that projects the night sky onto a dome, an extensive science library, and special areas for children, careers, and health.

Besides the permanent exhibitions, the Cité hosts rotating special exhibitions on topics such as the history of industrialization or biometrics. A wireless audio system provides information in numerous languages, and a digital center with internet access and multimedia workshops lets you explore modern technology. While the concept of conveying knowledge creatively is widely praised, some critics see the building as a monumental temple to the 1960s faith in technology. Despite these debates, the Cité remains a central attraction in Paris that makes science playful and accessible, and its connection of interior spaces with the park's water basins creates a unique atmosphere.