Science with gears you can touch. That’s the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie. With this Exhibitions entry ticket, you get access to the museum’s permanent and temporary displays, plus a real submarine and a fuel-free aircraft simulator.

Two things I really like are the chance to see the Argonaute (a real 1950s submarine) with an audio guide, and the flight simulator for the Solar Impulse aircraft, where you can try landing the first solar-powered plane in the museum’s big-screen setup. One thing to factor in: Planetarium and Argonaute access work via on-site vouchers and availability, so popular show times aren’t something you can treat as guaranteed.

The museum is huge, and you’ll want a simple plan. If you also hope to spend time in the Cité des enfants, note that this ticket does not include it, and you may end up paying for extra areas during your day.

Key highlights to plan around

• Argonaute submarine: A real 1950s vessel, visited with an audio guide
• Solar Impulse flight simulator: Try a landing in the museum’s interactive setup
• Planetarium show: Included access, but timing depends on availability on your visit
• Permanent + temporary exhibitions: You’ll get both with the same ticket
• Family-friendly science zones: Great for kids and adults who like hands-on learning

First Stop: Arriving at Cité des sciences et de l’industrie (Porte de La Villette)

The museum sits in the Ile-de-France area, by Porte de La Villette. For most visitors, public transport is the easiest route and keeps you out of the parking hunt.

Take metro Line 7 to Porte de La Villette, then hop on bus 71, 139, 150, or 152 to the same station. Or use tramway T3B (Porte de Vincennes – Porte de la Chapelle) to Porte de La Villette. If you’re driving, exit Paris Ring Road North at Porte de La Villette and use the paid car park entrance at Quai de la Charente and Macdonald Boulevard.

Because the site is so large, I’d treat arrival time as part of the strategy. If you show up right when doors open, you’ll have an easier time fitting in the submarine and simulator without feeling rushed.

Ticket value: What you truly get for $15

This is an Exhibitions entry ticket for one day. In plain terms, it’s designed for you to wander through a lot of the museum’s science content rather than a tight guided loop.

Your ticket covers access to:

• Permanent and temporary exhibitions
• Daily entertainment (as included with the museum’s program)
• The Planetarium and Argonaute submarine through on-site vouchers, subject to availability on your visit

Not included:

• The Cité des enfants (tickets can be purchased on-site)

On value, this ticket makes sense if you want variety: big exhibits + one or two signature “wow” attractions. It can feel less economical if you end up buying extra child-focused tickets anyway, especially if you were hoping everything would be covered in one simple purchase.

Also keep a timing reality in mind. Planetarium reservations and Argonaute access require you to request vouchers on site, and they depend on availability that day.

Museum hours and closures (so you don’t plan a dead-end day)

The museum runs Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, and Sunday 10:00 AM–7:00 PM. It’s closed Mondays, plus January 1, May 1, and December 25.

Plan your day around opening times if your group includes kids or you’re targeting the planetarium and submarine. If your schedule is locked into a later arrival, you may still have a great day—but you’ll want to prioritize what’s most important to you first.

Argonaute submarine: Step into life aboard a 1950s real vessel

The Argonaute is one of the most memorable parts of the day. This isn’t a movie set or a model behind glass—you’re visiting a real submarine dating from the 1950s, with an audio-guide to help you make sense of what you’re seeing.

Why this works so well in a science museum:

• It turns “science and engineering” into something human. You see the limits of space, technology, and life support in a way that diagrams can’t match.
• The audio guide is a big deal because it gives you the context to notice what matters—layout, function, and how a vessel like this operated.

The drawback is practical: your access depends on on-site voucher availability. If you want the submarine, I’d aim to deal with that early rather than treating it like a “maybe later” stop.

Planetarium show: Included, but plan for a wait

Your ticket includes the Planetarium, with the note that show access depends on availability on the day you visit. That means you should expect the planetarium schedule to be the wild card.

In terms of what you’re getting, it’s a nice contrast after the submarine. You go from engineered pressure and metal corridors to the open scale of the sky—stars, science talk, and an immersive show format.

One real-world consideration: the planetarium can be heavily booked. If your group includes children who need steady pacing, I’d build in time for lining up and choose a calm moment to go in, not right after the busiest exhibit areas.

Solar Impulse simulator: Landing the first fuel-free plane

If your group likes hands-on challenges, don’t skip the Solar Impulse simulator. This interactive experience is built around a simple idea: the plane that flew without fuel—and you get to experience it through a landing simulator.

What makes it fun for both kids and adults is that it turns a headline achievement into an action-based challenge. You watch the aircraft land on the museum screens, then you try your own landing in the flight simulator.

Practical tip: if you’re visiting with kids, do this when they still have energy. This is the kind of attraction where attention matters, and it’s easier to enjoy if you’re not already running on fumes.

Also remember: simulator time works as part of the museum attractions connected to this ticket, so don’t wait until your last hour to hunt it down.

Temporary exhibitions you can aim for: pets, silence, and ice-age science

Your ticket covers temporary exhibits, and the current line-up highlighted here gives you some excellent “choose-your-mood” options.

Dogs and cats (Chiens et chats)

This exhibition is about how animals perceive the world and communicate through posture and behavior. It blends humor and tenderness, which is a strong match for families who want something engaging without needing a science degree.

If you’re going with kids, this kind of exhibit is often the easiest way to get them leaning in. It also gives adults a chance to enjoy science as everyday understanding.

Silence until August (Silence and sound)

This one is different. It’s described as an intimate experience with headphones, where you follow a voice and explore the place through different types of silences—testimonies, stories, dialogues, and readings.

This is a great choice if your group needs a break from the loud, hands-on areas. It’s also the kind of exhibit that rewards you for slowing down and paying attention to small details.

The Chauvet cave: a scientific adventure

This exhibition is built around the Palaeolithic treasure of the Chauvet Cave, framed as stepping into the shoes of a scientist. The big win here is that it’s not only about what’s ancient—it’s about how investigation works and why revealing mysteries takes method.

It’s also a good “brains-on” stop for older kids and adults who like cause-and-effect.

Permanent exhibits that fit real learning styles (and what to look for)

Even with a ticket that includes temporary shows, the museum’s permanent exhibitions do the heavy lifting. The Cité des sciences et de l’industrie is known for hands-on sections, and the variety matters because people learn differently.

A few clues from what visitors tend to enjoy most:

• Kids often gravitate to interactive learning areas like the E-lab, where science turns into experiments rather than lectures.
• There are also playful exhibit moments, including something described as a mushroom bit. It came with a catchy song, which tells me the museum uses audio and visuals to keep attention.

You don’t need to know every exhibit title in advance. I’d use a simple strategy: pick 2–3 “must” zones (submarine, simulator, one temporary show), then let the rest be guided by what your group is drawn to at that moment.

Food and breaks: The part people forget until they’re hungry

The museum is big enough that you will need breaks. One practical complaint you should take seriously: there may not be enough toilets and food outlets when crowds build, which can stretch your time.

So plan your pace:

• Start early to reduce crowd pressure in the first wave.
• Take breaks before your group hits the “we’re done” stage.
• If you’re traveling with small kids, build in extra buffer time between major attractions.

A science museum is fun—but it’s still a long walk day.

Cité des enfants: when extra tickets can surprise you

Here’s the big one: Cité des enfants is not included in this entry ticket. You can buy it separately on-site or via the museum’s website.

Why this matters for your budget:

• If you’re traveling with younger children, that area may be exactly what they’ll want most.
• One booking experience described paying extra for a child-focused “infants section” and a Metamorphosis exhibition, which was a disappointment because they expected everything to be included.

What I recommend: if your kids are in the Cité des enfants age range, make a quick decision early. Either plan on buying the extra ticket—or accept that your day will be more “general science museum” than “dedicated young-kids playground.”

How long you really need in a museum this size

This ticket is for one day, and that can work well if you keep expectations realistic. Several visitors report doing the museum in around four hours, while others stretched it past six hours without seeing everything.

A good rule:

• If you’re chasing the submarine + simulator + planetarium, aim for a longer day.
• If you just want a strong sample of exhibits and one temporary show, you can likely manage in less time.

The big factor is how your group handles wait times and crowding. If planetarium and submarine slots don’t match your ideal schedule, you’ll want the extra time to adjust calmly.

Who should book this ticket?

This works best for:

• Families with kids who enjoy hands-on science and interactive activities
• Adults who want a memorable mix: real-world engineering (submarine) + space/science media (planetarium) + interactive tech (Solar Impulse simulator)
• Anyone who likes variety in a single day: permanent exhibits plus temporary ones like dogs/cats, Chauvet Cave science, and silence-themed listening

It may be less ideal if:

• You’re strictly trying to keep costs low and you know you’ll want Cité des enfants
• Your schedule requires specific planetarium show times and you can’t be flexible about on-site availability

Should you book? My practical take

Book it if you want a high-value science day with three headline attractions: Argonaute, Solar Impulse simulator, and Planetarium. The museum is built for interaction, so even a non-expert day tends to feel satisfying.

Skip or rethink if you’re traveling mainly for the Cité des enfants experience and you don’t want to buy additional tickets. In that case, your day can become a two-ticket project, and you may feel the price creep.

If you do book, my best advice is simple: plan your “must-dos” early, be ready to request on-site vouchers, and give yourself time to snack and reset. That combo turns a big museum into a smooth, fun day.

FAQ

What does this ticket include?

This Exhibitions entry ticket includes access to the museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions and daily entertainment. It also includes access to the Planetarium and the Argonaute submarine through vouchers requested on-site, subject to availability on the day.

Do I need to reserve the Planetarium and Argonaute in advance?

You don’t reserve through the ticket itself. Planetarium reservations and Argonaute access are handled by requesting vouchers on-site, depending on availability on your visit.

Is the Cité des enfants included?

No. The Cité des enfants exhibition is not included. You must book it separately on the museum’s website or purchase an extra ticket at the museum.

How do I get there using public transport?

Use metro Line 7 to Porte de La Villette, then take bus lines 71, 139, 150, or 152 to Porte de La Villette. You can also take tramway T3B to Porte de La Villette.

What are the museum opening hours?

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM–7:00 PM. It is closed on Mondays, and also closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25.

Can I cancel if plans change?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.