A major renovation of the Grand Palais is under way, with the Palais de la découverte particularly affected. It will close its doors in September 2020 and not reopen until 2024.
If the Scientific and Cultural Project is to be believed, founder Jean Perrin's vision will be preserved, and the purpose of the renovation "is to show science in the making through demonstrations led by science educators, and to offer an immersive experience"
Yet many scientists are concerned about the museum's future. An opinion piece signed by twenty-four learned societies notes that the space open to the public has shrunk from 11,000 m2 to 7,000 m2 over forty years, and calls for the Palais to remain "a place that brings citizens into contact with the fundamental sciences"; the signatories add that "direct interaction with staff must remain the primary means of engagement \[…] while digital technologies are used to further enhance the visitor experience".
We must remain vigilant and insist that the intentions set out in the Scientific and Cultural Project not be distorted by an overly superficial view of popular science.
