Photo : Maison de la Poésie
Small Conferences #12 "Can we really stay alone on Mars?"
A conference for all ages, from 10 years old. Presented by Roland Lehoucq, astrophysicist. With the code MARS, enjoy a rate of 5 euros instead of 10!
La Maison de la Poésie (Paris 3rd)
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About
The film "The Martian" (Ridley Scott, 2015) shows us how the hero, Mark Watney, tries to survive on Mars thanks to his ingenuity and scientific knowledge.
With NASA announcing a manned flight to Mars in the coming decades, it is interesting to ask the question of the survival of a group of human explorers in the hostile conditions that prevail on the surface of the Red Planet. We also cannot help but wonder if what the film shows is realistic. Can a Martian storm cause that much damage? How to produce water on Mars? Can we grow potatoes there? What does the surface of Mars really look like? Is it really imaginable to live there?
Roland Lehoucq is an astrophysicist at the CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), and a major figure in science popularization in France. A specialist in the physics of celestial objects, he is also recognized for his analyses of representations of science in popular culture, from science fiction to cinema. Author of numerous books, he explores with precision and humor the gaps between real science and fictional imaginaries. His work offers a unique perspective on the virtual worlds of video games, viewed as laboratories of ideas where scientific rigor and creative freedom collide.
Conception and programming Gilberte Tsaï
Production l'Equipée
Our take on this event
Forget everything the movies told you about surviving in deep space during this deep dive into Martian reality. A leading astrophysicist is taking the stage to separate scientific fact from pure Hollywood fiction with wit and precision. It is the perfect chance to discover if colonizing the Red Planet is a genuine human future or just an entertaining sci-fi dream.
On October 18, 2026, the Maison de la Poésie hosts the 12th installment of the Petites Conférences series, focused on the realities of survival on Mars. Astrophysicist Roland Lehoucq examines the scientific accuracy of Ridley Scott’s film The Martian, analyzing whether its depiction of farming, water production, and extreme weather holds up against actual physics. Perfect for space enthusiasts aged 10 and up, this one-hour talk runs from 15:00 to 16:00. Attendees can benefit from a special ticket price of 5 euros by using the code MARS, offering a unique bridge between science fiction and professional space research.
Located in the 3rd arrondissement, the Maison de la Poésie presents a thought-provoking session with astrophysicist Roland Lehoucq on Sunday, October 18, 2026. As a prominent expert from the CEA, Lehoucq specializes in connecting scientific reality with pop culture depictions, particularly within science fiction cinema. This talk focuses on the practical challenges of human exploration on the Red Planet, contrasting the survival methods seen in the movie The Martian with current scientific understanding.
The session takes place from 15:00 to 16:00 and delves into key questions such as the feasibility of growing food, extracting water, and withstanding Martian storms. Lehoucq provides a rigorous yet humorous analysis of how science and creativity intersect, turning the film into a lens through which to view future space colonization. It is an ideal intellectual outing for anyone aged 10 and older interested in the mechanics of space travel.
This event is part of a series programmed by Gilberte Tsaï and produced by l'Equipée. Tickets are priced at 5 euros for those who apply the code MARS.
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