A look back at "Nuit Blanche 2025" at the Institut Pasteur

On Saturday June 7, 2025, for the second year running, the Institut Pasteur opened its doors for the "Nuit Blanche," the night-time cultural event in Paris. The Pasteur Museum worked in collaboration with two artists for the event, Aristide Barraud and Marie-Sarah Adenis.

561 visitors came along for the evening.

The event was made possible by the efforts of 26 PhD students and volunteers from the Institut Pasteur. Many thanks to them!

Credits: Project by Aristide Barraud / Piero Markarian Sacaranello

Aristide Barraud created a treasure hunt called "Remembering the future" to give visitors a better idea of the research process, the history of campus and the "Pasteurian spirit." Participants had to solve puzzles using a map at nine different points on campus (number 28 side), with the help of volunteers. Collages on the walls and the ground created interactions between the scientific community and the public. With specially embroidered and printed T-shirts for the occasion, the volunteers told the stories of the discoveries made at the Institut Pasteur and its scientific activities. Participants collected stamps on a card for each puzzle solved.

Credits: Project by d'Aristide Barraud / Piero Markarian Sacaranello

 

Visitors also had the opportunity to explore the "Glory to microbes" exhibition, still on view in the greenhouse, produced by Marie-Sarah Adenis and coordinated by Marie Truffier, which offers an alternative narrative to common perceptions about microbes. The "Microscopic Appeal of June 18" (a nod to General de Gaulle's famous Appeal of June 18, 1940 during WWII) was displayed over several meters, surrounded by 12 prints produced by 12 different artists, each based on a piece of the text written by Marie-Sarah Adenis. The blue ink used to make these narratives visible was made in an environmentally friendly way – by the microorganisms themselves! The process was developed by the company Pili, which also supports the project. This is a wonderful demonstration of how art, science and technology can come together.

The "Glory to Microbes" exhibition is on view in the greenhouse until June 27.

Credits: Project by Marie-Sarah Adenis / Photos from the Institut Pasteur

The "Nuit Blanche," launched by Paris City Council in 2002 and now a firm fixture in the cultural calendar of Greater Paris, is a great opportunity for the Institut Pasteur to welcome people from different backgrounds and present science from an emotional and artistic angle, further cementing our commitment to sharing knowledge. The museum team is keen to participate in the event again next year. 

Watch the video of the Nuit Blanche at the Institut Pasteur