Paris,France – October 4, 2025
The annual Fête de la Science (Science Celebration) has officially commenced across France, kicking off a nationwide, ten-day exploration into the very nature of thought and capability. Running from October 3 to 13, 2025, this year’s popular and free event is centred on the highly topical and expansive theme of “Intelligences” (in the plural form), inviting the public to look far beyond human intellect.
Headline Points
* Dates and Theme:
The festival runs from October 3 to 13, 2025, with the theme being the pluralistic concept of “Intelligences”.
* Broad Scope:
The theme explores the diverse forms of intelligence, including human, animal, collective, biological, and, most prominently, artificial intelligence (AI).
* Free Public Access:
Thousands of free events are taking place across mainland France and overseas territories, offering open access to university laboratories, research centres, museums, and science villages.
* Key Events:
The program features a wide array of activities, from hands-on prototyping workshops for AI-powered learning and robotics to film screenings and debates on the ethical and societal impacts of generative AI.
* Major Venues:
Major “Science Villages” are set up in key cities, including Paris (such as the Musée des Arts et Métiers), Montpellier, and Toulouse, serving as hubs for interactive exhibits.
A National Dive into the Nature of Thought
Since its inception, the Fête de la Science has aimed to bridge the gap between scientists and the general public, showcasing scientific progress and encouraging vocations. For its 2025 edition, the focus on “Intelligences” is a direct response to the spectacular, yet often debated, development of artificial intelligence.
The celebration is set up as a massive, interactive dialogue, allowing French citizens to participate in experiments and meet researchers. Organisers stress that the theme is deliberately plural—”Intelligences”—to encourage a broader perspective on what it means to be capable or ‘smart.’ This encompasses the sophisticated problem-solving abilities found in the animal and plant kingdoms, the power of collective human knowledge, and the digital prowess of AI.
AI and the Future Under the Microscope
With AI at the forefront of global conversation, many of the festival’s most anticipated events revolve around this technological revolution. Researchers, from the École des Ponts ParisTech to the University of Montpellier, are hosting debates and workshops to demystify complex AI models.
In cities like Saint-Denis, events include film screenings on the social cost of new technologies, such as the documentary “Les sacrifiés de l’AI,” followed by expert sociological discussions. Other workshops are designed to be entirely hands-on, allowing students and the public to ‘train an AI’ for visual recognition or to co-develop AI-powered learning prototypes. The goal is not only to understand the technical workings of AI but also to engage in a lucid and critical exploration of its environmental, social, and ethical implications.
From Robotics to Rocky Shores
The free program is incredibly diverse, ensuring there’s something for every curiosity. The public is invited to step inside major research institutions, typically closed to non-scientists, for behind-the-scenes visits and live experiments.
The Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris is hosting the “72h de sciences,” a weekend of intensive, free-of-charge science and celebration. Meanwhile, the BRGM (French Geological Survey) is leading interactive games to explore the intelligence of nature, challenging participants to identify rocks and fossils, and demonstrating the coastal dynamics of French Guiana using interactive models.
By offering a comprehensive and accessible platform, the 2025 Fête de la Science ensures that citizens from all walks of life can directly engage with the research that is shaping their future, encouraging them to rethink what intelligence means “beyond human boundaries.”
