🧠 The Science Center in Rennes

Located less than an hour from our "Au Lutin Pommé" gîte, the Espace des Sciences is a must-see for the whole family in search of scientific and cultural discoveries. Located in Les Champs Libres, in the heart of Rennes city center, this unique space offers interactive exhibitions, children's workshops, fascinating conferences, and a planetarium to travel the universe all year round.

Whether you are on vacation in Brittany or simply curious, the Espace des Sciences is an enriching, fun and inspiring stopover, an absolute must-see during your stay.

A story in the service of science for all

Created in 1984, the Espace des Sciences first opened in the Colombia shopping center in the heart of Rennes. Its mission? To share scientific culture with the general public through exhibitions, activities, and meetings with experts.

In 2006, a major turning point occurred: the Espace des Sciences moved into the Champs Libres building, Rennes Métropole's iconic cultural hub, alongside the Library and the Museum of Brittany. This new location gave the center new exhibition spaces, a planetarium, a conference room, and an educational laboratory.

A recognized player in scientific mediation

Certified CCSTI (Center for Scientific, Technical, and Industrial Culture), the Espace des Sciences is nationally recognized for the quality of its content, its teaching methods, and its commitment to the general public and schoolchildren. Directed by Michel Cabaret, the center relies on a team of passionate mediators, scientists, and institutional partners to offer a rich, varied, and accessible program.

The place embodies the desire to make science accessible to all, in a friendly and stimulating atmosphere.

Interactive exhibitions for young and old

Each year, the Espace des Sciences hosts several temporary exhibitions, designed to be visual, immersive, and educational. Through models, hands-on exhibits, videos, games, and experiments, visitors don't just look: they touch, experiment, have fun, and learn.

Notable exhibitions in recent years include those on volcanoes, robots, artificial intelligence, climate, and dinosaurs. Particular attention is always paid to children's understanding, with tours suitable for ages 6 and up.

The Rennes Planetarium: a journey to the heart of the stars

One of the Espace des Sciences' major assets is its digital planetarium, a 96-seat dome that allows for total immersion in the universe. Thanks to 360° projection technology, visitors can explore the starry sky, planets, galaxies, and cosmic phenomena as if they were actually there.

The sessions, led by facilitators, are designed for all ages, with specific programs for children as young as 4. Whether you're passionate about astronomy or simply curious, the planetarium is an unforgettable experience not to be missed during your visit.

A strong commitment to youth and education

The Science Center offers a wide range of activities for students from kindergarten to high school. Educational workshops, classroom activities, and teacher resources are all designed to ensure that science is viewed as a pleasure and an adventure, rather than a difficult subject.

During the holidays, children can also participate in internships, themed visits, and scientific workshops to explore, create, test, and understand the world around them. It's an ideal place to awaken scientific curiosity from a young age.

Conferences: meet researchers, debate, understand

Throughout the year, the Espace des sciences organizes conferences open to all on current scientific topics: health, climate, artificial intelligence, biodiversity, space, new technologies, etc.

These events provide an opportunity to meet scientists and experts, ask questions, engage in debate, and foster civic reflection on the major challenges of tomorrow. Some conferences are also available online or as podcasts.

An ideal outing less than an hour from the gîte

Staying at the "Au Lutin Pommé" cottage, you're less than an hour's drive from Rennes. A day at the Espace des Sciences is therefore ideal for a family outing, perhaps combined with a visit to the Museum of Brittany or a stroll through the historic center of Rennes.

It is an ideal activity to diversify your stay between nature and culture, while offering children an experience that is both fun and educational.

Conclusion: a living place to understand the world

Accessible, stimulating, and interactive, the Espace des Sciences is much more than a museum. It is a place of transmission, experimentation, and sharing, allowing everyone, regardless of age, to better understand the world and the sciences that shape it.

Just a stone's throw from Rennes train station and less than an hour from the "Au Lutin Pommé" gîte, it's a must-see destination for anyone looking to combine curiosity, discovery and family fun.

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