Palais de la Découverte, Science museum in Grand Palais, France
The Palais de la Découverte is a science museum housed in the west wing of the Grand Palais in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France. The space spreads across several floors and includes exhibition areas dedicated to physics, chemistry, biology and astronomy, as well as a planetarium in the basement.
The museum opened in 1937 during the International Exhibition of Arts and Technology and was initiated by Nobel laureate Jean Perrin to make scientific education accessible to a wide audience. The institution remained permanently open after the exhibition and was later integrated into the structures of the French Ministry of Higher Education.
Guests participate in live experiments and demonstrations led by specialist presenters who explain complex scientific principles through hands-on activities and interactive displays. Sessions run daily across multiple sections and allow direct exchange with researchers present on site.
The venue is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 and Sundays from 10:00, with Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau metro station providing the closest access. Some demonstrations run at fixed times and may require a short wait before entering the respective room.
The physics section houses a walk-in Faraday cage where visitors can witness high-voltage demonstrations up close while the metal structure fully protects them from electrical discharges. This demonstration shows in a clear way how electromagnetic shielding works in everyday situations.
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