I am taking a group of biology and science college students to Paris. What types of science experiences, tours, sites, etc. would you recommend. We can move to a secondary location or take day trips if that would open up other options. Thank you for any help you can give me.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16583 posts
Welcome to the forum!
How about the Musee Curie? It is open restricted hours so check now to see if you can work it in if it's of interest.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musée_Curie
It's near the Pantheon where Marie and Pierre are entombed along with a slew of of other greats! There is also Foucault's Pendulum at the Pantheon.
Any interest in honeybees? There are beehives in the nearby Luxembourg Gardens! Tended by urban beekeepers. There are apparently a number of hives around on rooftops including Notre Dame. That hive was not injured in the 1999 fire!
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4208 posts
This wonderful museum is among my favorites . I'll make a return visit this coming Autumn !! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9e_des_Arts_et_M%C3%A9tiers and here - https://www.arts-et-metiers.net/
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4208 posts
By the way , this machine is in the collection , quite intriguing - https://youtu.be/nITEU4fsqCU?si=BFrbHxa0m104j6gH and how it works -https://youtu.be/2OMoo3y5WIQ?si=P00WCUK1EhdbLzGb
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
3470 posts
The Cité des Sciences:
https://www.cite-sciences.fr/en/home
Walking tour: https://youtu.be/YHb-OpUacNc
More technology-oriented:
The CNAM - Arts et Métiers Museum (already mentioned by steven)
Focused on geology, minerals, plants, and paleontology,
Musée de l'Homme (with an exceptional temporary exhibition on mummies until late May)
https://www.museedelhomme.fr/en
The Jardin des Plantes and "La Grande galerie de l'évolution"
https://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/en/galeries
All are in Paris
Posted by
Normandie
579 posts
"Science" is a broad topic. Most science-related museums focus on things more related to physics, chemistry, and engineering.
You mention biology and science. Are most of your charges biology majors? If so, a natural history museum might be a better fit than, say, le Musée des Arts et Métiers. Le Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle seems like a, well, natural choice. Perhaps you could contact them ahead of time and arrange a special tour of a particular topic of specific interest to your group.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
They will be biology, biomedical sciences, biochemistry majors.
Is there somewhere where we might be able to tour a lab, visit an interesting natural site, hear a lecture, etc.?
We went to London last year and had a private tour and lecture at Kew gardens, tour at Cambridge and private experience at the old operating theatre. Is there similar types of experiences in Paris or France?
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
3470 posts
There are obviously plenty of similar possibilities in France, except that Paris is not London, and English-language tour options will not be as easy to find. Not to mention the lectures.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2317 posts
A shame that it is closed for renovation (till November 2028), otherwise Musée Pasteur should be interesting.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2490 posts
I recommend this: https://www.mnhn.fr/en/galerie-de-paleontologie-et-d-anatomie-comparee-paleontology-and-comparative-anatomy-gallery
You may want to contact these folks, friends of the Natural history Museum, and see if they can get you a special tour. https://amis-museum.fr/
My favorite science museum in Paris is the French Aviation Museum. https://www.museeairespace.fr/en
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11586 posts
We recommend the Museum of Arts et Metiers. Among the hundreds of fascinating objects, it has Lavoisier's laboratory for visitors to visit.
FYI: the English word "experiment" is "experience" in French. My bilingual mind was confused for a moment reading your title until English dominated.