The view… as you’ve never seen it before!
On 9 and 10 September, the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie, located in the Parc de la Villette in Paris, is going to be offering a whole host of fun activities and immersive experiences, each more astonishing than the last! The institution is organising the 3rd edition of its “Cité des Sens” festival for adults and children, devoted this year to the sense of sight, its importance and how it works. An approach that was bound to attract the attention of 5 Senses for Kids Foundation. Meet Marie Bécher, project manager for this event.
What were the reasons for creating the Cité des Sens?
The senses concern everyone. The theme really speaks to all audiences, and even all ages. It’s a timeless subject about which there will always be things to discover. Because, although the senses are part of us, we actually know very little about them. So the idea behind the Cité des sens festival was to cover the five main human senses in turn, over a one-off weekend in September.
So which sense is on the programme for this 2023 edition?
After smell and hearing, it’s sight that will be in the spotlight this year. Over the course of a weekend on 9 and 10 September 2023, visitors will be able to learn how the eye works, what its anatomy is and how sight affects our everyday lives! We’ll be offering a wide range of experiments (optical illusions, light shows, mirror games, etc.), photography workshops, scientific demonstrations and even the chance to explore the Cité’s permanent exhibitions, such as “Cerveau”, wearing special glasses. On the evening of Friday 8 September, a musical nocturne called “Les silencieuses” will offer the public over 18, with headphones firmly on, the chance to preview some secret installations. Finally, at the weekend, you can take advantage of your visit to have your eyes tested by teams from the ophthalmology department of the Rotschild Hospital.
As you know, the 5 senses for kids Foundation supports all educational, cultural, social and scientific initiatives that contribute to the development of children by promoting multi-sensoriality as a fundamental basis for their development and their openness to the world. What activities will you be putting on for children at the festival, especially young children?
There will be a wide range of activities for all ages and tastes. You’ll be able to take part in workshops on colours, images and photography, as well as exhibition visits and various installations such as an XXL kaleidoscope, distorting mirrors, anamorphoses and optical illusions. For younger visitors, there will be a theatrical presentation on animal vision four times a day, as well as a magic show entitled “it disappears”. They’ll also be able to get their hands dirty in a number of workshops, including writing their first name in Braille and making a flipbook
Do you have any final words of advice for families?
It’s a friendly, intergenerational festival not to be missed! It’s a unique opportunity for families to discover the unsuspected capabilities of our vision, to learn and to have fun!
Thank you very much! We therefore invite families who will be in the Paris region on 9 and 10 September to visit this fantastic Festival, from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm on Saturday and from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm on Sunday, at the Cité des sciences… and experience the importance of the sense of sight.
For practical information and details of the programme, click here