Museums and galleries for geeks

In the heart of the capital, the Gaîté Lyrique is a venue devoted to the digital arts and contemporary music that has become one of the top destinations for geek culture lovers. Buzzing with life and energy, this former theatre programmes throughout the year a range of exhibitions, workshops, concerts, shows, screenings and debates for young and old alike. Its mission? To be a forward-looking venue that makes digital culture accessible to everyone by becoming a ‘centre of creativity’.  With its Game older event on Thursday afternoons for example, the Gaîté Lyrique invites young players to teach older members of the public to play video games. Quite a programme! Its two relaxation spaces are open to the public and are a place of exchange where visitors can find information about upcoming workshops or training courses in the digital sphere, or simply enjoy a quiet moment to read or share a drink with friends.

Just  a 10-minute walk from the Gaîté Lyrique, the Bibliothèque Publique d’Information of the Centre Pompidou (BPI)  offers a consultation service for documents and the loan of e-books (among other things), an in particular, a rich annual programme of 2.0 events. Exhibitions, workshops and meetings on the topic of digital ... The BPI is constantly renewing itself, with the support of the Centre Pompidou, which in 2017  launched the first MOOC of the school of the Centre Pompidou, open and free to everyone. A place to work or frequent alongside other enthusiasts.

The Musée des Arts Ludiques programmes exhibitions that focus on geek culture. This unusual museum also explores the art of ‘entertainment’. The world of Pixar, the art of Marvel super heroes, and the iconic artwork of the Studio Ghibli … these exhibitions take visitors on a memorable journey to these unique worlds. Visitors to the venue are also sure to enjoy a visit to the Cité du cinéma, a vast studio complex created by Luc Besson in Saint-Denis (93). Visits are by reservation only (apart from certain exhibitions relating to the world of cinema, such as Harry Potter, Star Wars etc.).

More and more Parisian galleries are taking an interest in ‘geek art’, like the Galerie Lacroix located right in the heart of Belleville. The venue devotes exhibitions to emerging artists, many of whom are exceptionally skilled at graffiti art. The Galerie Openspace in Oberkampf and the Artfactory on the rue de Charonne focus on the graphic arts and exhibit works by Joan Cornellà, Anna Summer, Blanquet, etc.  In Montmartre, the renowned Miss Tic stencil artist has opened her gallery to the public, revealing some classics of the genre.

Activities for children

For science lovers and future geeks in-the-making, the legendary Cité des Sciences et de l’industrie and Cité des enfants (for 2 - 12 year olds, during the school holidays) offer a seemingly inexhaustible array of options! Along with the large Planetarium and the Géode, the Cité des Sciences is one of the best locations for a fun-filled family afternoon. Temporary exhibitions (science and fairy tales, special effects in the cinema) and permanent exhibitions (the brain, playing with the light, energy…), as well as a library and workshops ensure hours of entertainment! A bonus: the site can be accessed by a river shuttle boat service on the Ourcq Canal.

Also for children, the Musée en herbe, located close to the Louvre, offers exhibitions for children aged 3 years and up. Invader, le Chat, Tintin, Vasarely… The museum boasts exhibits that have been specially designed for younger visitors. The venue also offers ‘baby visits’, lasting 30 minutes, and creative workshops that can be enjoyed by children and their parents.