In Toulouse, the heart of France’s aerospace industry, you can experience space exploration up close at Cité de l’Espace, an interactive science park dedicated to astronomy and astronautics. Have you ever dreamed of becoming an astronaut? Or wondered what it feels like to walk on the Moon? Here, you can. I embarked on this fantastic journey beyond our planet with my son and my friends, and I had a lot of fun. In this article, you’ll discover why it’s a must-see in Toulouse.
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What to See at Cité de l’Espace
Cité de l’Espace is more than just a museum; it’s a themed park that offers an immersive experience into space missions. You can touch real space technology, explore life in orbit, and gaze at the stars. And the best part is outside, where you can walk among rockets and space bases!
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Designed to make science accessible and engaging for all ages, the Cité de l’Espace combines interactive exhibits with rockets, space stations, and large-scale replicas of the Martian environment in the park garden.
I visited the Cité de l’Espace with my son and my friends Marina and Lucia, and I can assure you that there is plenty to see for all ages. Since my son is really into space, we totally enjoyed the live show about Martian and Lunar rovers. We also discovered the MIR space station and playing inside the Ariane rocket.
In this article I’ll dive deeper into the exhibits at Cité de l’Espace. So, if you’re ready for a space mission, keep reading!
The Space Garden: A Walk Among the Stars
The outdoor area is probably the best part of the Cité de l’Espace, and a must-visit, especially on a sunny day. At the Space Garden, you can do a spacewalk without leaving Earth.
Spanning four hectares, this incredible open-air exhibition lets you stand face-to-face with life-sized spacecraft that have shaped space exploration. Engaging displays and interactive signs make every stop along your journey informative and fun.
You can get close to the iconic Soyuz capsule, step beneath the towering Ariane launcher stages, marvel at the Apollo Lunar Module, and imagine driving the Lunar rover across the Moon’s surface.
But that’s not all because you can also walk through a scaled version of the Solar System, experiencing firsthand the mind-blowing distances between the planets and discovering their unique characteristics.
MIR Space Station
In the Cité de l’Espace outdoor area, you can step inside a real module from the legendary Russian MIR Space Station to discover what it’s like to live and work in space. The MIR Station is often regarded as the ancestor of the International Space Station (ISS), having orbited the Earth for an impressive fifteen years.
Curiously, MIR is not an acronym, but the Russian word Мир that literally means ’peace’ or ‘world’. As I don’t speak Russian, I admit I got this info from the Mir page on Wikipedia before going to the Cité de l’Espace.
As you walk through the various modules of the MIR station, you will discover how astronauts lived and worked in orbit. These are not mere mock-ups but duplicates similar to the original modules sent into space. Amazing, right?
Apollo 11 Lunar Module
In July 1969, American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history by landing on the Moon, where they spent 22 hours exploring the lunar surface.
To remember this remarkable achievement in space exploration, in the garden of the Cité de l’Espace, you can see the foot of the seven-meter-high Apollo 11 Lunar Module. I assure you, seeing a real spacecraft outdoors is pretty cool.
Ariane 5 Rocket
At the Cité de l’Espace in Toulouse, you can admire a life-size replica of the Ariane 5 Rocket. The iconic European space launch vehicle is 53 meters tall and has been instrumental in placing satellites and conducting scientific missions into orbit.
We loved this area a lot because inside the Ariane rocket is the Cité des Petits, a space-themed play area designed for children aged 4 to 8. Here, kids can refuel space rockets, drive a spaceship, manage the launch phases of space missions, and much more. All while wearing a helmet and a high-visibility waistcoat, which apparently are essential for these activities.
The French are really into space, so if you’re looking to see another Ariane rocket, I recommend also visiting the Paris Air and Space Museum (Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace) in Le Bourget, which has a fascinating exhibition on space.
Martian Terrace
At the Cité de l’Espace, a part of the garden is dedicated to Mars. There, you can witness different kind of rovers, the space robot explorers, in action!
On the Martian Terrace, scientific talks are held regularly, showcasing how these rovers explore the surfaces of Mars today, as well as the Moon in the past. During these talks, you’ll learn about the rovers’ incredible functions.
In my opinion, seeing the rovers in action and learn more about these robots is incredibly interesting. Unfortunately, all the presentations are conducted only in French, so it can be a bit boring if you don’t speak the language.
LuneXplorer
LuneXplorer is a fascinating area dedicated to Moon explorations. Here, you can dive deep into the history of Lunar space missions, exploring the challenges and advancements associated with the Artemis and Apollo missions.
One of the highlights of LuneXplorer is the immersive experience that allows participants to feel what European astronauts experience during their lunar missions, including the thrilling acceleration phases during take-off and the unique sensations of the Moon landing.
Unfortunately, children under 130 cm tall are not permitted to participate in this experience due to the size of spaceship seats and the experience of acceleration with increased gravity. For this reason, we had to skip LuneXplorer, but I’m looking forward to returning to the Cité de l’Espace as soon as my son is tall enough to take a trip to the Moon!
IMAX Cinema and Planetarium
At the IMAX cinema, you can watch space documentaries on a giant screen, showcasing actual footage from astronauts and deep-space missions. Meanwhile, the Planetarium offers an incredible experience with breathtaking 360° projections, allowing you to travel across the universe.
There are projections at the IMAX cinema and Planetarium at regular intervals. If you’re with kids, you cannot miss Polaris, a 3D cartoon movie projected in the Planetarium dome.
The movie Polaris follows a penguin scientist and an igloos-builder bear as they embark on an extraordinary adventure to construct a space rocket and test scientific hypotheses during the polar night. If you’re a science enthusiast, you may have seen this film at other planetariums, just as we did!
You can watch the movie at IMAX and Planetarium in your preferred language, not just French. Headphones in your chosen language are available at the entrance.
Indoor exhibitions
In the indoor part of the Cité de l’Espace in Toulouse, you can explore several permanent exhibitions that cover many space-related themes.
Space Explorations
One standout area focuses on life in space, explaining why we are exploring the Solar System and detailing daily life aboard the ISS, the International Space Station. There, you can learn more about astronauts and the experiments being conducted in the Space Station.
The Weather Hub
Another engaging section is the Weather Hub, where you can discover how satellites monitor our atmosphere’s activity and provide weather forecasts. For me, it was especially interesting because meteorology is one of the topics to study to get a flight license.
However, the true highlight for kids is the interactive weather studio. In this area, you can be a TV presenter and deliver your own weather report.
The Launch Centre
The Launch Centre is probably the most exciting part of the indoor exhibit. Here, you can witness rockets launching, learn how satellites are placed into orbit, and admire a real Vulcain engine from the Ariane 5.
The exhibit conveys on how challenging it is to reach space and even more to stay there. You might be surprised to learn that even a single grain of sand, due to its speed in space, has the potential to damage or destroy a satellite!
Apollo Missions
One of the most immersive experiences is the journey through the Apollo missions. In this area, you can enter a stunning set that transports you back to this historic period of Lunar explorations.
We learned the key moments from the Apollo Missions and the incredible challenges faced by NASA teams more than fifty years ago, when our modern, powerful computers did not yet exist.
A life-size reconstruction of the Lunar Module cockpit allows visitors to envision themselves in the footsteps of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and the other Moonwalkers.
Plan Your Visit to the Cité de l’Espace
To fully enjoy the Cité de l’Espace experience, plan your visit for at least half a day. However, I recommend a full day to explore everything. We spent an entire day on our visit, which allowed us to attend informative talks on the Martian Terrace and enjoy films at both the Planetarium and the IMAX cinema.
If you’re considering spending an entire day there, the restaurant is quite good, but it can be a bit pricey and has limited food choices. Alternatively, there’s a picnic area outside where you can enjoy your own packed meals.
Inside the Cité de l’Espace, the exhibition captions are primarily in French, but you’ll also find English and Spanish translations available. That’s why Occitania attracts a significant number of Spanish tourists, so you’ll find ample translations and tourist information in Spanish.
When to visit Cité de l’Espace
When planning a trip to the Cité de l’Espace, keep in mind that it’s mostly outdoors. If you’re visiting in the summer, don’t forget to pack a bottle of water, a hat, and sunscreen. In the winter, make sure to bring a waterproof jacket and some warm clothes to keep comfy.
The best time to go is usually in spring and autumn when the weather is just right, not too hot and not too cold. However, the weather won’t stop you if you’re a real space explorer!
We went in July, and it was super hot, so the park felt pretty quiet for its size, which has its perks. It made wandering around and checking out the exhibits much more enjoyable without all the crowds!
Opening Hours
When planning your visit to Cité de l’Espace, keep in mind that they usually open from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. However, these hours may vary depending on the season.
They also can stay open later for special events, during school holidays and peak tourist months. To avoid surprises, check their official website before you go for the latest schedule.
Admission Fee
Ticket prices are set as €26 for adults, while children aged 5 to 18 can enter for €19.50. Children under 5 can enter for free.
There are also discounts available for groups and Toulouse City Pass holders. You can buy your ticket directly at the ticket office on the day of your visit or online on the official website.
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How to Get to Cité de l’Espace
The distance between Toulouse and Cité de l’Espace is just 4 km. The best option is to drive, as there is free parking available on-site.
By public transport, several bus lines connect Cité de l’Espace to the city centre of Toulouse. However, do keep in mind that there’s no bus stop directly in front of the museum.
This means you’ll need to walk through a park for a while from the bus stop to the entrance of Cité de l’Espace, and vice versa. While this is usually manageable, it could be challenging during the hot summer months, so plan accordingly!
Cité de l’Espace
Avenue Jean Gonord, 31506 Toulouse
Where to Stay in Toulouse
Toulouse offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different travel styles and budgets. For a boutique experience, Boutique Hotel SOCLO is a great choice, featuring a seasonal outdoor pool, a garden, a shared lounge, and a terrace, along with an on-site restaurant for a refined stay.
If you’re traveling with family, an aparthotel can be a convenient option, allowing you to prepare your own meals. The Aparthotel Adagio Original Toulouse Centre La Grave is ideal for those arriving by car, thanks to its on-site parking.
For a budget-friendly stay without sacrificing comfort, Odalys City Toulouse Centre Compans Caffarelli offers a garden and all essential amenities. We particularly loved its proximity to the city center and the free airport shuttle service, making it a practical and well-connected option.
Final Thoughts about the Cité de l’Espace
If you’re interested in space and science, Cité de l’Espace is an absolute must-visit in Toulouse. Its attractions boast from an expansive outdoor area featuring life-size replicas of rockets and space modules to amazing exhibitions that provide insights about space explorations.
This unique space park offers activities for all ages, from simulating a rocket launch to exploring the cosmos in the Planetarium. We had a fantastic time there, and I highly recommend paying a visit whether you are alone, with friends or with your family.
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, letting me know if you’ll add the Cité de l’Espace to your itinerary on your next trip to Toulouse.
