Inaugurated in 1986, La Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie is part of the large rehabilitation project for the slaughterhouses of La Villette. The objective then is to promote scientific and technical culture in order to attract the interest of the greatest number of people on social issues related to science, research and industry.

With the Cité de la Musique and Le Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris, it is part of the Parc de la Villette.