La Géode
La Géode is a mirror-finished geodesic dome that holds an Omnimax theatre in Parc de la Villette at the Cité [des Sciences et de l'Industrie] in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, France.
The nearest Paris Métro stations to La Géode are Corentin Cariou on Line 7 and Porte de Pantin on Line 5.
In 2017, Pathé Gaumont was chosen as the new operator of the cinema. A refurbishment was announced, and the building closed for works to modernize its concept on 1 December 2018, with plans to reopen to the public in June 2020. In late 2023, a reopening of La Géode in Spring 2024 was announced. Finally, it reopened on 18 December 2024 after 6 years of work.
Structure
La Géode was designed by architect Adrien Fainsilber, supported by engineer Gérard Chamayou. The geodesic dome is in diameter, composed of 6,433 polished stainless steel triangles that form the sphere which reflects the sky. These triangles are 1.5 meters long and are fixed on a thin metal frame with the same triangular geodesic structure, consisting of 2,580 steel tube bars. The dome stands on a reinforced concrete base, which is attached to Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, the largest science museum in Europe. La Géode officially opened on 6 May 1985. After a similar venue located in La Défense closed in 2001, La Géode became the only spherical building in the Île-de-France region of France.Before the name "Géode" was selected, other names were proposed, including humorous suggestions such as "Bouboule", "Irma", "Minouchette", "Double Zéro", and "Zézette".