Sylvie Retailleau : « Pendant cinq ans, tout a été remis en jeu »

Sylvie Retailleau, former French Minister of Higher Education and current president of Universcience since January 2026, details the tense negotiations between the Grand Palais and the Palais de la découverte. She reveals that the Palais de la découverte nearly disappeared during the Grand Palais renovation, but will reopen in March 2027. Universcience ceded a 1,200 m² gallery to the Grand Palais as a financial contribution (worth about €30 million over ten years) and is lending another 350 m² gallery until June 2030 for Centre Pompidou exhibitions during its renovation. In exchange, Universcience gains full control over the programming of the Palais des enfants.

What to see in Paris: museums to discover this summer in the capital (2026).

This article is a guide to museums open in Paris during the summer of 2026, highlighting a variety of cultural institutions that remain accessible to visitors. It mentions specific venues such as the Musée de l'Armée at Hôtel des Invalides, the Paris Museum of Modern Art (MAM), the Musée Bourdelle, and the Maison de Victor Hugo, as well as the Fragonard perfume museum's Théâtre du Parfum. The piece emphasizes that these museums offer permanent collections and temporary exhibitions spanning art, history, fashion, science, and photography.

'The idea is to breathe new life into the space': Didier Fusillier, the president of the newly reopened Grand Palais, on his vision for the Parisian institution

Didier Fusillier, president of the newly reopened Grand Palais in Paris, outlines his vision for the historic venue in an interview. The reopening is marked by 'Grand Palais d’été,' a diverse program in partnership with the Centre Pompidou that includes talks, performances under the 'Fun Palace' banner, exhibitions of Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Pontus Hultén, Bruno Decharme’s Art Brut collection, contemporary tapestries, and 'Euphoria. Art is in the air.' Fusillier emphasizes a collaborative, eclectic approach, with free public access to new spaces and sponsorship from Chanel.

Sylvie Retailleau explains how she saved the Palais de la Découverte

Sylvie Retailleau explique comment elle a sauvé le Palais de la Découverte

Sylvie Retailleau, a physicist, former president of Paris-Saclay University, and former Minister of Higher Education, has been president of Universcience since January 2026. In an interview, she explains how the Palais de la Découverte, housed within the Grand Palais, nearly disappeared during the Grand Palais renovation. Intense debates over whether to dedicate the renovated space entirely to classical culture threatened the science museum. Retailleau negotiated a compromise: the Palais de la Découverte ceded one gallery (1,200 m²) to the Grand Palais for about €30 million in revenue over ten years and is lending another gallery (350 m²) until June 2030 for Centre Pompidou exhibitions. In return, Universcience gains full control of the programming for the Palais des Enfants. The Palais de la Découverte is set to reopen in March 2027.

Long threatened, the Palais de la découverte will finally reopen in 2027 after a seven-year closure

Longtemps menacé, le Palais de la découverte va finalement rouvrir en 2027 après sept ans de fermeture

The Palais de la découverte in Paris will officially reopen in March 2027 following a seven-year closure for extensive renovations. Located in the Palais d’Antin wing of the Grand Palais, the institution faced the threat of permanent closure or relocation to the Cité des sciences due to economic constraints. However, a joint decision by the French Ministries of Research and Culture has secured its future at its historic site, where it will feature a shared entrance with the Grand Palais to foster a unique dialogue between art and science.