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Copy of CNRS Unusual Visits 2026: science as you have never seen it before!
The astonishing, the surprising, the extraordinary of scientific research!
This event has ended.
About
Go behind the scenes of the world of research in the company of passionate researchers with the CNRS Unusual Visits: from October 7 to 17, 2026, the CNRS offers you the unique opportunity to access laboratories and experimental platforms usually closed to the public.
About
Created in 2020, the CNRS Unusual Visits offer the chance every year to discover extraordinary research sites in small groups. Inaccessible sites, atypical experiments, and unique meetings are on the program throughout France for the few lucky people drawn by lot.
In four years, nearly 5,000 people have participated in the nearly 500 visits organized with research laboratories under the supervision of the CNRS!
Our take on this event
Forget sterile lecture halls; this is your exclusive pass into the hidden sanctums where groundbreaking research actually unfolds. You will join an intimate group to explore experimental facilities typically closed to outsiders and witness the raw magic of discovery firsthand.
Step behind the scenes of scientific research with the CNRS Unusual Visits, taking place from October 7 to October 17, 2026. This unique event grants the public exclusive access to laboratories and experimental platforms that are typically closed to visitors. Engage directly with passionate researchers and witness groundbreaking work in an intimate setting. Participation is free of charge, though spots are awarded via a random selection process after online registration. Please be advised that this immersive experience is open to participants aged 12 and older.
The CNRS Unusual Visits return this autumn, running from October 7 to October 17, 2026. Since their inception in 2020, these visits have aimed to pull back the curtain on French scientific research by offering a rare glimpse into extraordinary facilities and experimental sites across the country.
To secure a place, you must submit your entry online between August 25 and September 20, 2026. The selection process requires answering three questions related to the specific visit's theme. Winners will be chosen at random from those who answer correctly to form small groups of six to twelve people.
The program is designed for participants aged 12 and up. Over the course of the event, nearly 500 individual visits are coordinated with CNRS-affiliated laboratories, providing a privileged environment for discovery. Whether exploring high-tech equipment or discussing ongoing studies with experts, this is a distinct opportunity to experience science from the inside.
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