Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace at Le Bourget, a unique place that puts stars in your eyes

Calling all lovers of aeronautics, all those who are always over the moon, all those who share Icarus' dream! The Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace invites you to plunge into the heart of its collections, to learn all you need to know about the history of aviation and space in France and around the world. The military museum, located in Le Bourget(93), is adjacent to the city'sairport, and is still the largest aeronautical museum in France!

This art and science museum was created in 1919, on the initiative ofAlbert Caquot, one of the most brilliant French engineers of his time. At the time, the museum's collection was gradually being built up in a hangar inIssy-les-Moulineaux. Officially inaugurated in Chalais-Meudon in 1921, then in the 15th arrondissement of Paris in 1936, it was closed by the Germans during the Second World War. It wasn't until 1973 that the aeronautical museum was able to rise from its ashes, having moved to Le Bourget. The opening of Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport in 1974 finally freed up space to repatriate more exhibits to the museum's hangars.

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The 4,000 m² of exhibition space will be refurbished in 2019. The museum houses almost 20,000 aviation and aeronautical objects in its reserves. The Grande Galerie features 407 objects in a 16-room tour. Come and admire model airplanes, the gondola from the La France airship, theAntoinette type VIIaeroplane or the Grand Prix d'aviation cup dating from 1910.

But the real spectacle is the dozens of aircraft and rockets visible up close. The Boeing 747, theA380, the famous Concorde, Ariane 1 and Ariane 5, theSuper Frelon helicopter, the American warplane Douglas C-47A... You can even board four of them, with a Boarding Pass ticket. There's also a fun educational area where curious youngsters can discover this very special world through workshops and interactive manipulations .

And for those who love a good view, the museum also offers the chance to climb up the lookout of the site's historic control tower, to enjoy the museum's breathtaking view of the tarmac and runways of Le Bourget. If the weather doesn't cooperate, you can always take in the view from the planetarium.

The museum regularly presents themed temporary exhibitions, and takes part in major cultural events in the region, such as the Nuit des Musées (Museum Night), the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) and the Fête de la Science (Science Festival).

How to get to the Air and Space Museum

The Musée du Bourget is located in Seine-Saint-Denis. There are several ways to get there from Paris, the easiest of which is to take the RER B to the "Le Bourget" stop, then take the 152 bus to the museum. Alternatively, you can take the metro line 7 to La Courneuve, then the 152 bus. Alternatively, you can take metro line 7 to La Courneuve, then take bus 152. In 2026, the future metro line 17 should also make the journey easier, dropping you off near Le Bourget airport, where the museum is located.

The museum is open every day of the year, except Mondays, January 1 and December 25. In high season (April 1 to September 30), the museum is open until 5:30pm. The rest of the year, it closes at 4.30pm. There are various admission rates to suit all ages, and the museum is free for all on the first Sunday of every month.

On site, visitors of all ages are pampered. Toddlers can take advantage of the Cocoon, an area equipped with changing tables, a breastfeeding area and adapted games for quiet time. Older children can enjoy lunch at the L'Hélice café-restaurant, which offers a sweet and savoury menu featuring local, seasonal produce. And don't forget to visit the souvenir store before you leave!

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