Toulouse. The Cité de l’Espace pulverized (again) its attendance record: here are the figures
Through Gabriel Kenedi
Published on
A major site in Europe for the dissemination of space and astronomical culture to the general public, the Space City announces that it has broken a new attendance record for the year 2022.
423,000 visitors to the Cité de l’Espace, a new record
With 423,000 visitors welcomed in 2022, this new record proves that the institution has rebounded well after two years 2020 and 2021, in accordance with the particularities, marked by the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, with +4% visitors in 2022 compared to 2019 (423,000 in 2022 compared to 408,000 in 2019), the Cité de l’Espace is pleased to attract every year new visitors mainly French and European (Spain, Italy, Germany, England, Belgium).
“A thorough job! »
“These figures testify to the quality of the positioning of the Cité de l’espace which, more than 10 years ago, was the daring bet to create an offer capable of sharing space and astronomical news in real time with the general public through experiential and constantly renewed exhibitions, workshops and events. The result ? Attendance increased by 55% in 10 years (270,000 visitors in 2011)”, specifies the Cité de l’Espace.
“It’s the reward for a lot of groundwork! », rejoices Jean-Baptiste Desbois, Director General of the Cité de l’Espace. “We have been gaining momentum for several years. We worked hard to make people want to come to the Cité de l’Espace. For the general public, space can sometimes seem too scientific and technical. But it is also dreams, beauty, metaphysics and above all beautiful human adventures. On a diversified, dynamic and renewed offer, which allows visitors to spend a good day at the Cité de l’espace, with family or friends. There is no need for prerequisites, you just need to have a little curiosity! adds Jean-Baptiste Desbois.
Recognized by international players in the sector
Thanks to original mediation “based on experience and an offer immersive exhibitionsconstantly renewed workshops and shows to be in tune with space news”, the Cité de l’Espace has succeeded in making space and astronomical culture accessible to all.
To achieve this, it has a in-house design team who imagines, designs, manufactures and continuously updates all the exhibitions, activities and workshops on the site. In permanent contact with the major players in the sector (CNES, ESA, AIRBUS, THALES, laboratories such as IRAP, etc.), its museographers relies on experts to ensure the veracity of all of its media and mediations.
“The objective: to decipher the world of today through the prism of space exploration, to provide the keys to understanding in a universe invaded by fake news and to encourage visitors to develop their critical sense. And for good reason, At a time when the youngest are losing interest in science and when one in three considers it “possible that the Earth is flat and not round, as we are told at school” (source IFOP), it is essential for the sites of scientific culture such as the Cité de l’Espace to offer exhibitions, activities and workshops adapted to each age, designed with verified content and capable of arousing everyone’s curiosity for science”.
Reopening to the public
After a few weeks of annual closure, the Cité de l’espace reopens its doors to the public on Friday February 3, 2023. For this year, it has offered itself unique equipment in Europe, called MoonXplorer. It will allow visitors, from the summer of 2023, to live the sensory experience of a take-off and a trip to the Moon. A novelty which should make it possible to attract new curious people.
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