FÊTE DE LA SCIENCE 2026

See you on 4 October for the 2026 Science Festival

Step back in time and discover how people in the Middle Ages fed themselves and preserved their food before the invention of the fridge.

At the Étinbulle archaeological farm, young and old alike can take part in fun workshops on medieval food, experimental archaeology and culinary practices of yesteryear. The highlight of the afternoon will be a cookery workshop where you’ll prepare and then share a snack inspired by medieval recipes, based on available historical and archaeological knowledge. Combining discoveries, hands-on activities and discussions centred on ‘eating together’, this event invites you to explore history through flavours and experience.

All afternoon – Old World/New World: where does my food come from?
Self-guided activity: a chronological mapping game exploring food sources around the world.

2.00 pm – Workshop at the Old World table (ages 7 and over)

3.00 pm – “It’s in the old pots that the best soups are made” – food-themed pottery workshop. What ceramic remains tell us about eating habits in the Middle Ages. (ages 4 and over)
Discovering food and preservation methods in medieval times.

3.30 pm – Experimental archaeology: what came before sugar?
Making sweet treats… without sugar! What did people eat in the Middle Ages? Using written records and available archaeological evidence, let’s create a medieval-style afternoon snack. (suitable for all ages)

4.30 pm: let’s sit down to a meal on the theme of ‘eating together’. Without getting too deep into the subject, a campfire-style discussion around the fire on the theme of food, hosted by ‘Les Causeries du Lundi’.

Since 1991, the Fête de la Science has been a popular, free event celebrating science, technology and innovation across the country. It is aimed at everyone and helps to promote the sharing of knowledge between scientists and the public.
Organised annually by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the Fête de la Science has become an unmissable event for everyone. Over the course of around ten days, families, schoolchildren, students, science enthusiasts and aficionados will come together at thousands of free events taking place across France.