Cite de l'espace

About

Cité de l'espace, literally ‘Space City’, is Toulouse’s flagship science discovery centre devoted to the wonders of spaceflight. Since its inauguration in 1997 it has welcomed more than four million visitors, offering a palette of immersive attractions that transport guests from the Big Bang to the edge of orbit. The museum’s signature features include colossal full‑scale models of the Ariane 5 launch vehicle, the Russian Mir space station and the Soyuz capsule, inviting hands‑on exploration and a sense of awe at the scale of human spacecraft. The original 140‑seat planetarium and the new 280‑seat planetarium housed in the Astralia building deliver stunning visual journeys across the cosmos, while an IMAX theatre showcases cutting‑edge space films. The 25‑metre Terr@dome presents the universe’s evolution in a spherical format, and interactive control‑room mock‑ups let visitors plan rocket launches and place satellite payloads into orbit. Dedicated children’s areas, rotating temporary exhibitions and educational workshops make the centre a favourite destination for families, school groups and space enthusiasts alike.

Highlights

• Ariane 5 Full‑Scale Model
• Mir Module Replica
• Terr@dome Universal Journey
• Astralia Planetarium & IMAX
• Interactive Control Room

Must-See Areas

Good to Know

Pros & Cons

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At a glance

• Typical visit: about 3 hours