On the road to Paris: Paris Handbook for iGEMers, by iGEMers
Originally written by iGEM 2022 teams IONIS, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Lyon
with updates by Yorgo El Moubayed on October 11, 2023
Tomorrow is the iGEM 2023 wiki freeze – a moment each and every iGEM team experiences and remembers long after the freeze has passed. During these final moments before the freeze, and in the days ahead, we thought you might enjoy looking forward to some of the fun and cool things that await you in Paris. While you won’t want to miss a moment of the Grand Jamboree, there’s much to enjoy in Paris if you arrive early or stay a bit longer.
Paris is a beautiful city, and just strolling through the streets and looking at the architecture and going where the wind takes you can take a whole day! We want you to have fun at the Grand Jamboree, and so have put together a Paris Handbook for iGEMers so you can enjoy Paris as much as possible. In the handbook, you will find:
The Paris Handbook for iGEMers was put together by teams IONIS, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Lyon as a gift for the iGEM Community! Click the image above to download the updated 2023 PDF guide (Updated by iGEM HQ on October 11, 2023).
A customized map of the Paris Métro, showing the location of the Grand Jamboree,
Tips & Tricks for navigating transport in Paris using the Bonjour RATP app,
Some facts about Paris and basic sentences to help you communicate with Parisians,
Recommendations for finding great (and cheap!) places to eat, and
Guide to some of the famous monuments and fun science places to explore in Paris.
Let’s face it, at some level we are all science nerds. With its rich history of science and innovation, Paris offers a unique view into the history of scientific discovery that every iGEMer (and science nerd) is sure to enjoy, including:
Cité des Sciences et de l'industry
In the "City of sciences and of industry", you will find all sorts of fun and original science expositions.
Located in the beautiful Jardin Des Plantes (Plant Garden), the Galerie of Evolution shows beautiful expositions around history, biology and biodiversity.
A huge fresco by Raoul Dufy, commissioned for the 1937 International Exposition in Paris, depicting the story of “The Electricity Fairy” now located in the Musée d’Art Moderne.
In the center of Paris, you can discover all the greatest innovation around industry and technology.
Located in the Radium Institute, you can see Marie Curie's old office and chemistry laboratory (decontaminated in 1981), and learn about two couples – Pierre & Marie Curie, and Irène & Frédéric Joliot-Curie – who have won no less than five Nobel Prizes.
Though currently closed for renovation, the Pasteur Museum provides a fascinating insight into the life and work of Louis Pasteur.
A new immersive museum dedicated to science that lets you discover various scientific fields thanks to innovative ways, such as video mapping, virtual reality and multi-sensorial presentations.
As iGEMers and synthetic biologists, we design our biological systems in accordance with the needs, perspectives, and culture of the local community. These famous monuments will help you learn about and appreciate the history and culture of Paris:
We encourage you to go inside open museums, art galleries, churches, and other religious areas to visit and learn more about our culture. Remember to check the opening hours for visiting the museums and monuments, and it will always be better if you can book in advance.
Like every place in the world (especially touristic places), be sure to take care of your belongings, especially in the Métro and crowded places. Paris is not a very dangerous city, but it is important to be aware of your surroundings.
Finally, and most importantly, have fun at the Grand Jamboree! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need more information. We hope you will all enjoy Paris and look forward to seeing you there!
The Paris Handbook for iGEMers was put together by 2022 iGEM teams IONIS, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Lyon as a gift for the iGEM Community.
