Cour des comptes: Universcience faces structural crisis with €1.6bn renovation costs
A report from the Cour des comptes highlights significant challenges at Universcience, which manages both the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie and the Palais de la découverte, focusing on real estate, financial, and human resources problems. The institution is responsible for 221,390 m², with less than 20% allocated to museums. The renovation costs for the Cité des sciences, which opened in 1986, are projected to be between €1.3 and €1.6 billion, considered too high. President Sylvie Retailleau is suggesting a more economical plan from Lacaton & Vassal, awaiting approval. The Palais de la découverte is set to reopen in March 2027, while cost negotiations remain unresolved. Universcience reported a net loss of €20.1 million in 2024, a decline from a surplus in 2018-2019. Ticket sales dropped from €15.8 million in 2019 to €10.6 million in 2024, and cash reserves fell from €74 million in 2018 to €42.5 million in 2024. HR concerns include unmonitored time for 40% of employees and increasing CET provisions.
Key facts
- Universcience manages 221,390 m² of space, 196,086 m² at La Villette.
- Less than 20% of the space is used for museum functions.
- Renovation of Cité des sciences estimated at €1.3-1.6 billion.
- Lacaton & Vassal proposed a cheaper renovation plan.
- Palais de la découverte reopening set for March 2027.
- Net loss of €20.1 million in 2024.
- Ticket revenue fell from €15.8 million in 2019 to €10.6 million in 2024.
- Cash reserves dropped from €74 million in 2018 to €42.5 million in 2024.
- Time tracking missing for 40% of staff (about 400 people).
- CSE meetings cost €350,000 in 2021.
- CET allows up to 150 days, provisions rose from €0.49M to €2.6M.
- Average departure indemnity is €28,000 per employee.
- State subsidies decreased by over 21% in real terms between 2018 and 2024.
- Operating costs rose 10.4% vs 18.4% inflation.
- Visitor numbers: Cité des sciences ~500,000 paying visitors; Étincelles ~110,000-120,000.
Entities
Institutions
- Cour des comptes
- Universcience
- Cité des sciences et de l'industrie
- Palais de la découverte
- GrandPalaisRmn
- Lacaton & Vassal
- Le Journal des Arts
Locations
- Paris
- France
- La Villette