Explore the history of the former Institut Pasteur annex in Garches

The museum team invites you to learn about the history of the former Institut Pasteur annex in Garches

During the on-site training program organized with the National Heritage Institute and the Ecole du Louvre from May 27 to 31, 2024 in the former Museum of Research Applications in Marnes-la-Coquette, the museum team is offering to take Institut Pasteur staff members (registration required) on an hour-long guided tour to find out about the history of the former Institut Pasteur annex.

History of the former Institut Pasteur annex

From 1884 onwards, Louis Pasteur, who was conducting rabies research in his laboratory at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Rue d'Ulm, Paris, was provided with premises by the French government in the Pavillon des Cent Gardes on the estate of Villeneuve l'Etang, in the town of Marnes-la-Coquette on the outskirts of Paris. This gave him the space he needed for his scientific experiments.

Gaston Ramon (1886-1963), who invented the diphtheria vaccine, Pierre de Fonbrune (1901-1963) and Jean Comandon (1877-1970) were among the leading Institut Pasteur scientists who left their mark on the history of the site.

Since the early 2000s, it has been occupied by the US biotech firm Bio-Rad.

Museum of Research Applications (1986-2007)

The Museum of Research Applications, housed in the Pavillon des Cent Gardes in Louis Pasteur's former apartment, presented the history of infectious disease research through the discoveries of the Institut Pasteur's scientists during the 20th century. The museum also housed the burial chamber of Louis Pasteur, who died on September 28, 1895. The museum closed in 2007 and no longer accepts visitors.

The newly renovated Pasteur Museum will be an opportunity to showcase the scientific heritage previously housed in the museum.

Tour dates

• Tuesday May 28 from 5 to 6pm
• Friday May 31 from 2 to 3pm

Length of the tour: 1 hour

Contact : musee@pasteur.fr (registration required)

Meeting point: 3 Boulevard Raymond Poincaré, 92380 Marnes-la-Coquette.

Please arrive at the meeting point at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and 1:45 p.m. on Fridays, with your ID card.

Access from the Institut Pasteur

• By public transport (50 minutes): Metro line 6 to Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile, line 1 to La Défense, Transilien line L towards Saint Nom-la-Bretèche/Forêt de Marly, alight at Garches/Marnes-la-Coquette station. The Bio-Rad entrance is 300m away via Boulevard Raymond Poincaré.

• By car: Périphérique Ouest (West Ring Road) towards Rouen (A13), Exit 5 "Vaucresson-Versailles," head right towards Garches-Vaucresson, "Hôpital Raymond Poincaré." After the hospital (on your left) go straight on and the Bio-Rad entrance is on the right just before the second traffic lights.