The national theme "Saveurs savantes" guided the 2026 Science Festival, which took place from October 2nd to 12th in several towns in Tarn-et-Garonne. Free activities, including interactive workshops, games, conferences, and exhibitions, were offered in Beaumont-de-Lomagne, Bruniquel, Caussade, Cordes-Tolosannes, Golfech, Mas-Grenier, Montech, Montauban, Montaigu-de-Quercy, and Verdun-sur-Garonne.
In Beaumont-de-Lomagne, the event spanned three days, from October 8th to 10th. The inauguration on October 8th was held under the high patronage of the regional prefect, the president of the Occitanie region, and the academy rector. Following a tour of the Fermat museum and scientific workshops led by schoolchildren, invited personalities attended official speeches.
Saturday's program, open to all, focused on flavors through various thematic workshops: technology with AI for fruit and vegetable sorting, nature and ecology with the chemistry of taste buds presented by veterinary services, history with prehistoric food, and logic with mathematical riddles. An interactive exhibition "in my kitchen" was also featured.
The afternoon included a guided tour of the Bastide, followed by a friendly reception. The day concluded with a conference by an SVT professor and YouTuber on the links between science and gastronomy, and a mandolin concert.
The popular success of this open day was significant, with visitors of all ages satisfied by the diversity and quality of activities. This approach to science, deemed encouraging given the decline in French students' performance in this field according to PISA studies, should be continued to reverse the trend.
