From October 2 to October 12, 2026, France will host its annual Science Festival, with the theme Saveurs savantes, which translates to "Scientific Flavors." The event explores the connections between science, cuisine, taste, and health. Across the country, the festival will offer a wide range of activities, including workshops, conferences, lab visits, and interactive experiences, all aimed at engaging the public in scientific discovery and making it more accessible. In Paris, the Musée des Arts et Métiers will host a weekend of science and celebration from October 2 to 4, with free museum access and a variety of activities. Events will cover topics such as the science of taste, the role of the intestinal microbiome, and the link between smell and emotions. Researchers from Inserm, France’s national institute for health and medical research, and other institutions will participate in discussions and interactive workshops. Specific events include a conference on the taste of fat by Naim Khan on October 3 and a discussion on olfactory disorders in neurodegenerative diseases on October 4. In the Île-de-France region, Inserm laboratories will offer a range of activities, including workshops on neurons, nutrition, and the brain’s ability to change and adapt, known as plasticity. Events will take place at various locations, including the Centre de recherche en épidémiologie et santé des populations (CESP) in Orsay and the Centre de recherche en épidémiologie et statistiques (CRESS) in Paris. Activities will include interactive workshops, lab visits, and open debates on food and health. In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, the festival will feature events in cities such as Marseille, Sorgues, Manosque, Nice, and Villeneuve-Loubet. In Marseille, the Festival des Sciences de Marseille will include workshops on cancer research, DNA, and microscopy. In Sorgues, an exhibition titled La science a du goût will run from October 1 to 20, exploring the science of taste and food perception. In Manosque, an exhibition titled La santé dans notre assiette will examine the links between diet and health, with a public meeting on food and nutrition led by Carole Rovere on October 2. In Nice, the festival will include workshops on nutrition, personalized medicine, and the biology of cancer and aging, as well as an escape game and a documentary screening. Villeneuve-Loubet will host workshops on food labels and marketing influence. In Isère, the Science Festival will feature over 450 activities across 70 communes, with a focus on the intersection of science and gastronomy. Events include a Roman cuisine workshop in Grenoble, science-art festivals, and science villages such as the Chartreuse Bee Festival. Scientific routes will guide visitors through the region's research and scientific initiatives, including topics like molecular cuisine and the history of hydropower. The festival will also include events in other regions, such as a Roman cuisine workshop in Grenoble and a science-art festival in Villard-de-Lans. The 2026 edition marks the centenary of the Michelin star and the bicentenary of Brillat-Savarin’s Physiologie du goût, highlighting the historical significance of gastronomy as both an art and a science. Across France, the festival will offer thousands of free events for all audiences, including families, students, and science enthusiasts, with a focus on making science accessible and engaging through interactive and educational experiences.