Workshops, talks and tastings in Issy for the Fête de la Science 2026
What if a city carried within it centuries of invention, from aviation pioneers to smart electricity grids? That is exactly what Issy-les-Moulineaux is inviting people to discover during the Fête de la Science 2026, running from 2 to 12 October. Workshops, talks and tastings await curious minds of all ages, in a place where science is not a frozen legacy but a living practice.
A city shaped by the history of science
Before diving into this edition’s programme, it helps to understand why Issy-les-Moulineaux makes such a fitting backdrop for celebrating science. The city is recognised as a cradle of aviation: pioneers such as Henri Farman made their first flights here on a stretch of land that has since become a heliport. That journey from experimental field to operational site perfectly illustrates the continuity between innovation and real-world application.
Throughout the twentieth century, the commune also housed several major industries: the Gévelot munitions factory, the Manufacture des tabacs and Ripolin paints all left their mark on its economic and scientific fabric. More recently, the IssyGrid project placed the city among the first to pilot a smart energy distribution network, a smart grid, across entire neighbourhoods. Science, technology and urban planning have long gone hand in hand here.
The 2026 theme: every form of intelligence
This year, the Fête de la Science 2026 is built around the theme “Saveurs Savantes” (Knowledgeable Flavours). This guiding thread invites visitors to explore the many forms of intelligence beyond the human, from collective knowledge to artificial intelligence. It is an ambitious angle that resonates naturally in a city like Issy-les-Moulineaux, long accustomed to blending industrial tradition with contemporary innovation.
The event runs across France from 2 to 12 October, and the local programme offers workshops, talks, guided visits and interactive experiences. Most activities are free of charge, making it easy for everyone to take part: families, students, science enthusiasts and the simply curious alike.
What visitors can actually experience
Two highlights stand out in Issy-les-Moulineaux’s Fête de la Science 2026 programme. The first is aimed at children aged 6 to 11: the P’tits labos “Saveurs savantes” sessions offer hands-on experiments using everyday objects. Young participants observe the reactions their manipulations produce and come up with their own answers to the scientific questions posed. Booking is required for this workshop.
The second event targets an older audience, from 15 years old upwards. A talk entitled “Food and evolution: between constraints and desires” traces the history of our diet from the emergence of hominids and puts forward scenarios for rethinking what we eat tomorrow, with the ambition that this food be at once tasty, healthy, sustainable and accessible. The session ends with a tasting, and admission is free.
- P’tits labos: for children aged 6 to 11, booking required
- Food and evolution talk: for those aged 15 and over, free admission
- Tasting included at the end of the talk
- Most activities are free of charge
- Event runs from 2 to 12 October 2026 in Issy-les-Moulineaux
Why this event carries extra meaning here
The Fête de la Science 2026 in Issy-les-Moulineaux is more than a series of one-off activities. It is rooted in a city that actively champions knowledge and experimentation, from its early aviation grounds to today’s smart grid. That context gives every workshop and talk an added layer of depth.
Local accessibility also plays a practical role: public transport and nearby facilities make it easy for everyone to reach the event venues. Because for science to stay alive, it must also be within reach. That is precisely what this edition sets out to prove, bringing together diverse audiences around a shared curiosity about the world around them.
