Universcience welcomed nearly 2,5 million visitors in 2023. Attendance went up 17%, breaking several records
The number of visits reached 2,455,663 compared to 2,100,251 in 2022. In 2023, attendance at Universcience had an increase of 17%.
These figures include 2,333,716 visits to the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie and 121,947 to Les Étincelles du Palais de la Découverte.
At the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie
With over 2,3 million visitors in 2023, the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie has enjoyed a great success. Attendance had an increase of 17% compared to 2022 where 1,993,646 visitors were welcomed. Several records were broken:
- Cité des Enfants: 833,193 visitors were welcomed, a landmark in attendance and the highest number since it opened;
- Group tours: over 462,000 people visiting in groups this year, the highest number since 2015;
- Summer visitors: the months of July and August saw over 445,000 visitors. This was the best summer since the museum opened in 1986.
Attendance in 2023 was also boosted by its permanent and temporary exhibitions (894,819 visitors in total); these including:
- Industrial Evolutions (temporary exhibition): 146,226 visitors between 14 June 2022 and 2 April 2023;
- Cancers (temporary exhibition): 248,085 visitors between 6 September 2022 and 17 September 2023;
- Climate Emergency (permanent exhibition): 205,000 visitors since 14 May 2023;
Space Mission (permanent exhibition): 108,000 visitors since 17 October 2023
At Les Étincelles du Palais de la découverte |
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Universcience creates a “sustainable mobility” rate to contribute to the decarbonisation of culture
As of 4 April 2023, as part of its new pricing policy Universcience, the public institution comprising the Palais de la découverte and the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie, is creating a special “sustainable mobility” rate enabling users of bicycles or equivalent means of transport (scooters, segways, etc.) to be rewarded with a discount on their admission ticket (a €1 discount at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie and a 50 cents discount at the Étincelles du Palais de la découverte).
This incentive for sustainable mobility comes in response to the significant weight of visitor tansport in the carbon footprint of cultural institutions. It is part of an overall plan implemented by Universcience, including the installation of a carbon calculator on its ticketing system in order to raise visitors’ awareness of the impact of their means of transportation, as well as reductions following the agreement with soft mobility operators: a partnership with Vélib’ allowing visitors to benefit from 45 minutes of cycling for €2.5 instead of €3 and Vélib’ users to benefit from the sustainable mobility rate at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie; participation in the Navigo Culture programme (Ile-de-France Region, Ile-de-France Mobilités and Comité Régional du Tourisme Paris Ile-de-France) allowing Navigo pass holders to benefit from the same rate.
This plan in favour of decarbonising their visitors’ journey is part of Universcience’s overall commitment to sustainability, one of the foundations of its strategic plan. This commitment is also reflected in the integration of the sustainability imperative into the institution’s working methods (reuse of exhibition materials, eco-responsible design of buildings such as the Étincelles du Palais de la découverte, etc.) and in its programme throughout the year. From 16 May 2023, the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie will present its new permanent exhibition titled Urgence climatique (Climate emergency), curated by Jean Jouzel and devoted to the challenge of decarbonisation.