Palais de la Découverte and Planetarium – Reopening in March 2027

The Palais de la découverte has been closed for renovations since 2021. Located in the west wing of the Grand Palais in the 8th arrondissement, this science museum, founded in 1937, is set to reopen in March 2027, marking its 90th anniversary. In the meantime, its programming continues in the 15th arrondissement, at Les Étincelles, with scientific talks and a planetarium.

A unique science museum

The Palais de la découverte presents fundamental and contemporary sciences through interactive experiments, led by scientific mediators. This was the vision of physicist Jean Perrin, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1926: from 1937 onwards, he aimed to make science accessible through experiments performed in front of the public or by visitors themselves.

The museum operates on a clear division of roles. At the Musée des Arts et Métiers, technology and its practical applications; at the Palais de la découverte, fundamental research and its methods. Its mission has remained unchanged since its inception: to make science accessible to all.

What made it famous

Before its closure, the Palais covered astronomy, with its planetarium, as well as biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and Earth sciences. Its rooms dedicated to Electrostatics, the Sun and Planets, Light, and Acoustics allowed visitors to explore phenomena firsthand: sound propagation, the Doppler effect, resonance, fluorescence, X-rays, or Foucault’s pendulum. The Genome Workshops, meanwhile, focused on genetics and DNA.

Some demonstrations have remained nearly unchanged since their creation, so popular were they: those on liquid air and electrostatics were among the most sought-after.

What the new Palais will offer

The renovation is part of the Grand Palais’ major redevelopment project, a nearly €500 million initiative: the monument itself fully reopened in June 2025, and the Palais de la découverte will be its final phase. It will unveil a redesigned experience centered on immersion: five scientific laboratories for hands-on exploration, “curiosity hubs” dedicated to current research topics, large thematic halls, and a renovated planetarium installed in the former Optics room, with seats arranged in a circle.

The exact opening date, hours, and ticket prices will be announced closer to reopening: check the Palais de la découverte’s official website before planning your visit.

In the meantime: Les Étincelles, in the 15th arrondissement

While the Palais is closed, its team welcomes the public at Les Étincelles, a temporary venue designed by the architecture firm Construire and located in the Caroline-Aigle garden, bordering Parc André-Citroën (186 rue Saint-Charles, 75015 Paris). Over a hundred scientific talks are offered here, along with planetarium sessions, on Wednesdays, weekends, and during school holidays. The nearest metro station is Balard, on Line 8.

Visiting the Palais de la découverte

The Palais is located on Avenue Franklin-Delano-Roosevelt, in the 8th arrondissement, just a short walk from the Champs-Élysées. The nearest metro stations are Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau (lines 1 and 13) and Franklin-D.-Roosevelt (lines 1 and 9). Upon its reopening, take the opportunity to discover the Grand Palais, whose west wing it occupies.