Le Vaisseau in Strasbourg, to discover science with your family

Our Review of Le Vaisseau in Strasbourg

At What Age Can Kids Visit Le Vaisseau? Our Family-Tested Activities

Le Vaisseau offers activities for children ages 3 and up.

Throughout the day, animations for 3 to 6 years old and from 7 years old are proposed at the Vaisseau. We participated in a “How does it work?” animation for 3 year olds and up so that Leo could also participate. It is very well managed by the animator who also adapts to all ages represented. She does not explain the same things to older children as to younger ones.

Luce, at the ripe old age of 8, also had a great time. First, the kids “assembled” a salad spinner using the basket, the bowl, and the lid. We wrung out some sponges. Then, we played at being artists by dotting paint onto a piece of cardboard at the bottom of the spinner. We spun the spinner, and voilà—the paint created pretty designs. In short, all of this was to explain to the kids the centrifugal force found in many everyday appliances!

🗣️ Local tip: Reserve your spot for an activity as soon as you arrive at the front desk—spots fill up quickly on weekends and during school breaks.

A Museum Where You Can Touch Everything: Our Family-Friendly Experiences

Le Vaisseau in Strasbourg is a place of discovery. The idea isto introduce young children to science by letting them experiment with a wide range of interactive exhibits. The rule at Le Vaisseau?“You must touch everything!” And there’s something for every field and every age group! So, what can you try out at Le Vaisseau? (Our list isn’t exhaustive!)

Being Human – Testing Your Body and Brain

Here, we took a great family portrait on a giant frame made of metal pegs. It’ll bring back fond memories for many of us! We explored the mysteries of our brains with “X-Men”-style mental strength battles and speed exercises. We got to test our heart health, explore our own bodies in virtual reality, and even try navigating an obstacle course using crutches or a wheelchair to understand the challenges some people face every day. A great introduction to the human body!

I Make Things – Cranks, Pulleys, and DIY Projects

Léo operated various mechanisms using cranks, pulleys, nuts, and more to understand how the parts work together. In a completely different field, Luce created her own paper box and even… labels using (simplified) desktop publishing software. That’s right—we’re even talking about communication here! There’s also an interactive exhibit that helps visitors understand plastic waste recycling.

Water – Strength, Balance, and Propulsion

Wearing aprons, Léo and Luce had a lot of fun testing the properties of water: from balance—by balancing a ball on a stream of water—to the force of waves, and even propulsion—by moving a boat forward. Did you know about Archimedes’ funny screw? Personally, it was the first time I’d ever seen one! It just goes to show that even grown-ups are still discovering new things after all their years of experience, doesn’t it?

Animals – Quiz and Giant Ant Hill

Luce and Léo answered lots of questions about animals (Which ones scare you the most? Which ones lay eggs?…). There’s even an ant hill with a tunnel for the little ones, which they can crawl into!

Lab’Oh – A place where creativity reigns supreme

In this space, creativity takes center stage. Beyond the “Draw Me an Idea” wall, you can build marble runs using pieces of wood and plastic pipes, or have fun writing or drawing with giant LEDs on a large wall (my older son really enjoyed that, too). As for me, I loved the screen showing 3D compositions that, when projected onto a 2D screen, created a kaleidoscope-like effect.

Log’Hic – Logic Games and Puzzles

We wrapped up our 2.5-hour tour with a quick stop at the Log’Hic area, dedicated to … logic! Brain teasers, Tetris with big cushions… In short, your brain really gets a workout here! Given the unpredictable weather, we unfortunately weren’t able to visit the “Le Jardin” area. Maybe next time?

Le Vaisseau Restaurant and Shop: Our Top Picks

As you may have guessed, there is a cafeteria here. The prices are quite correct for a tourist place with simple dishes declined in menu according to your age. There were even trays of strawberries for dessert (in season, I assure you)!

But the most dangerous place with children is without a doubt… The store! They don’t know what to do and frankly, I understand them: it is really well supplied. We ended up opting for a log ride but it was hard to make a choice. You will find the famous frames with metal pins as well as scientific experiments, kits to assemble yourself, many books to discover all the themes addressed in the museum and go even further.

Key Takeaways About the Vaisseau in Strasbourg

• A 100% interactive museum, designed for children ages 3 and up, where everything can be touched.
• Plan on spending 2½ to 3 hours on the tour—or longer if you take part in an activity.
• A well-designed cafeteria and gift shop, with reasonable prices for a tourist spot.
• One small, honest caveat: some topics (the environment, animals) are only touched on briefly.

Looking for more ideas for a rainy day in Strasbourg? Check out our article “Strasbourg Museums: Which One to Visit?”

Frequently Asked Questions About Le Vaisseau