Palace of Discovery (Palais de la Découverte)

The Palais de la Découverte, located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, is an institution dedicated to the dissemination of scientific culture. Inaugurated in 1937 on the occasion of the International Exhibition of Arts and Techniques, the Palais is housed in a part of the Grand Palais, a building constructed for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. This scientific museum was the result of the ingenuity of the physicist and Nobel Prize winner Jean Perrin, who wanted to create a place where science could be made accessible and fascinating to the general public. The Palais de la Découverte stands out for its interactive and educational approach to science. It hosts a wide range of permanent and temporary exhibitions covering various scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, astronomy, and earth sciences. Each section is designed to engage visitors through live experiments, interactive demonstrations, and multimedia installations. One of the main attractions of the Palais is the planetarium, which offers shows and presentations that take visitors on a journey through the universe. With a 15-meter diameter dome, the planetarium uses cutting-edge technologies to create immersive projections that explore themes such as the solar system, galaxies, and the latest astronomical discoveries. It is a place where astronomy comes to life and captures the imagination of young and old alike. The physics section of the Palais de la Découverte is particularly famous for its electrostatic demonstrations, where museum scientists demonstrate electrical phenomena using Van de Graaff generators and other equipment. These demonstrations not only explain the fundamental principles of electricity, but do so in a spectacular and engaging way, often leaving visitors in awe. In biology, the museum offers exhibitions that explore life at the molecular, cellular, and complex organism levels. Among the most popular exhibits is one dedicated to DNA and genetics, where visitors can learn how genetic information is transmitted and how it influences the development and functioning of living organisms. Another fascinating section deals with neuroscience, providing an overview of how the human brain works. Chemistry is represented with a series of experiments and demonstrations that show chemical reactions in a visible and often spectacular way. These experiments help demystify chemistry and show how chemical reactions underlie many everyday phenomena. Equally interesting is the section dedicated to mathematics, which seeks to make this discipline accessible and fun. Through games, puzzles, and interactive installations, visitors can explore complex mathematical concepts in a playful and engaging way. This section demonstrates how mathematics is present in many aspects of everyday life and the natural world. The building itself, part of the Grand Palais, is an architectural masterpiece that combines classical and modern elements. Its large halls and galleries are ideal for hosting the museum’s extensive exhibitions, creating an environment that is both grand and welcoming.