Palais de la Decouverte

Palais de la Découverte is a science museum located in the heart of Paris, within the Grand Palais complex on Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt. It offers a vast array of interactive exhibits that make complex scientific concepts accessible and fun for all ages. Visitors can explore permanent galleries dedicated to physics, chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, and life sciences, with many demonstrations and experiments conducted live by museum staff. The planetarium is a highlight, offering immersive shows about the cosmos. Housed in a stunning Art Deco building originally built for the 1937 International Exposition, the museum blends historical architecture with modern science education. Its location in the Champs-Élysées area makes it easy to combine with other nearby attractions like the Grand Palais and the Arc de Triomphe.

Don't miss

• Live science demonstrations by museum staff, including chemistry experiments and physics shows.
• The planetarium, offering guided tours of the night sky and themed astronomy shows.
• The electricity gallery, where you can see high-voltage demonstrations and a Tesla coil.
• Interactive exhibits on optics, sound, and mathematics, allowing hands-on exploration.
• The historic Art Deco architecture of the building, including the grand entrance hall.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Palais de la Decouverte

Cheapest way inParis by Night Walking Tour: Ghosts, Mysteries and Legends4.3★ · 962 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$17 per personSee dates →Most bookedLouvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access4.5★ · 12,892 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$74 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleFull Coverage Paris Private City Tour5★ · 20 travelers~5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$216 per personSee dates →

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Know before you go

• Check the schedule for live demonstrations and planetarium shows, they run at specific times and are not continuous.
• Photography is allowed in most areas, but flash may be prohibited during demonstrations.
• Large bags and backpacks may need to be checked in the cloakroom.
• There is a café on-site, but nearby restaurants in the Champs-Élysées area offer more options.

A bit of history

Founded in 1937 by physicist Jean Perrin for the International Exposition of Arts and Techniques in Modern Life, the Palais de la Découverte was intended to make science accessible to the public. It became a permanent museum after the exposition, pioneering the concept of interactive science education in France.