We tested Science Experiences in Bordeaux for you

At the end of June 2025, it was so hot in Bordeaux that the Bordeaux Gironde Guide was looking for an activity to keep cool. Perfect! In April, a new kind of museum opened its doors on the Promenade Sainte-Catherine: Science Expériences. This immersive and interactive space aims to popularize science in a fun and accessible way for all.

Let's go on an unusual adventure in the heart of the Bordeaux metropolis!

First steps on another planet

The appointment is set for 2:30 p.m. The ticket states that you should not arrive too early (5 minutes maximum) and not late either.

Located on the lower level of the Promenade Sainte-Catherine, finding the place is already the first challenge. Among the clothing stores, games stores and even restaurant chains, a blue window, representing the space, tells us that we have arrived at our destination.

We step through the sliding doors and find ourselves in a parallel world. It's hard to imagine the countless people around us, shopping in the Bordeaux heat!

The subdued lighting, light projections on the walls and a discreet but present soundtrack instantly create an atmosphere conducive to discovery. The welcome is warm and efficient, which immediately puts you at ease, ready to dive into the adventure.

Highlights of the visit

Science Experiments is not just a simple journey. It is an immersion through eight thematic rooms, each offering its share of surprises and discoveries. Among them, some particularly struck us, transforming scientific theory into a tangible and memorable experience.

A Space Odyssey: Head in the Stars

After validating your entry ticket, the doors open onto the first room of the interactive museum. The Space Odyssey is a true feat of immersion. We're almost on the moon alongside a cosmonaut, or at least his spacesuit.

For a few minutes, while the group forms, we are free to read and test this magical piece. The rocket that went to the Moon is reproduced (much smaller, of course!). We can also test the scales available to find out our weight on the Moon, Mars, or even Jupiter. It's fun to see the difference from one planet to another.

The first guide arrives, and the tour can begin. He takes us around the room again to explain certain points in more detail. Then, the second door opens to a new experience.

This time, the host asks us to sit down and put on a virtual reality headset. We set off to explore the planets for about 5 minutes.

A dive under the sea

In the third room, we head underwater this time. The tour of this space is divided into three parts.

• Meeting the Science Experiments mascot

Axel , as he's known, is an axolotl. He may seem scary at first, but the team has made him their mascot.

• A film in the abyss

The abyss is a deep part of the ocean where darkness is total, temperatures are freezing (close to 0°C), pressure is crushing, and there is very little food.

Some animals can still live there: anglerfish, blobfish, sea anemones, etc.

• Interesting experiences

The new host takes us to the experimental table. She explains the power of atmospheric pressure through several experiments with a glass of water and a bell jar.

Then she shows us skate egg capsules, often called “mermaid pouches.” These are the protective cases in which skates lay their eggs. The Science Experiments team preserves them in salt water.

Inside the human brain

In this new room, we change the scenery and the subject. Around us are:

• a bench facing a screen;
• the laughter room;
• a fakir's bed.

The bench of emotions

The group sits on the bench, and behind it for those who don't have space. We place sensors on our foreheads. Here, they allow us to form a flower with each person's emotions. The darker a petal, the more stressed or worried the associated person is. Our first flower is quite beautiful, but we can do better. The facilitator asks us to relax, and we repeat the exercise. This time, no more red petals: we are faced with a beautiful, light-colored flower.

The Laughter Room

When you push open the door, you're greeted by a dark room where a game is being broadcast continuously. We have to follow the rules: dance, imitate others, force ourselves to laugh... It stimulates our zygomatic muscles, and that can only do us good! Surprise: people are watching us...

The Fakir's Bed

In a corner of the main room, the fakir's bed waits for someone to try it out.

Each member of the group tries. Some have severe back pain, while others find a certain serenity in the experience.

A journey to the heart of the solar wind

The next room is darker. It features explanatory panels on the solar wind, the formation of the northern lights, and plasma. Plasma balls are also available for everyone to try and get their hands on.

An even darker room opens to our left. We have to pick up an audio guide before going inside to settle down on the large cushions on the floor. On the ceiling, videos of the Northern Lights come to life while the audio guide's voice explains how they form.

Volcanoes and climate: the era of upheaval

The tour continues with a corridor of explanations on global warming. On both sides, questions and answers allow us to learn more about the phenomenon that has affected our planet for many years.

Then, a room with a green screen invites us to take the stage. On the screen, we are near an erupting volcano. It's time to take photos before continuing into the last large room.

Invisible energies

After a journey full of discoveries, the last room plunges us into the fascinating world of forces that we cannot see, but that we can feel. The first experience invites us to defy gravity in a rather spectacular way: static force. The facilitator encourages us to take turns climbing onto an isolated platform and placing our hands on a conductive sphere. We become the focal point of static electricity. The result is instantaneous and hilarious: our hair stands on end, pointing towards the sky as if by magic, testifying to the invisible energy that flows through us.

This playful introduction prepares us for the final stage of our scientific journey. We then arrive in a small laboratory, a more intimate space where a final experience awaits us, bringing this exploration of the wonders of science to a beautiful close.

Science Experiments in Bordeaux: a new adventure worth the detour

Our excursion to Science Experiences in Bordeaux is coming to an end. Far from traditional museums, this is a place that has managed to make science lively, interactive, and incredibly entertaining. Each room transforms complex concepts into moments of pure fascination.

The Bordeaux Gironde Guide highly recommends a visit. Whether you're a family looking for a fun and educational outing, a group of friends looking for an original activity, or simply a curious person eager to explore the wonders of our world, Science Experiences is for you. It's a total immersion that awakens curiosity, stimulates the imagination, and offers a new perspective on the phenomena that surround us.

For those who wish to continue exploring, a virtual reality simulator is installed in the shop area, for a few additional euros.

Practical information

To get to Science Expériences, you have several options from Place des Quinconces:

• By bike : in less than 5 minutes;
• On foot or by tram : less than 10 minutes;
• By car : 15 minutes.

Visit the official website for timetables and prices.

Did you like our article? Find more in our Experiences to Live section. Follow us on the Bordeaux Gironde Guide Facebook page and on Instagram @guidebordeauxgironde.