🌊 Science Festival programme – 10–11 October 2026 at the Marine Station (CREC) in Luc-sur-Mer 🌊
As part of the 2026 Science Festival, this year’s theme is ‘Savory Science’, on the menu at the Marine Station of the University of Caen Normandy, located at 54 Rue du Docteur Charcot in Luc-sur-Mer.
Whether you come with your family or are simply guided by your curiosity, the research teams invite you to discover our work through a series of workshops and to deepen your knowledge.
Discover the workshops from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday 10 October and Sunday 11 October 2026
- Workshop «I’m hooked on crabs» 🦀
Would you like to get up close to these often-misunderstood animals? In the practical laboratory, you will find live specimens. You will be able to discover the biology and anatomy of these crustaceans, their environment and way of life, identify those that inhabit our coastline and those that are eaten… and prized in gastronomy.
An interactive activity that will surprise you and allow you to see crabs in a whole new light!
Workshop coordinator : Katherine Costil accompanied by 3 M1 Master’s students in Marine Sciences
- Workshop « Dining under the sea» ⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖
Ready for an original demonstration ? You will be able to follow the journey of phytoplankton through an aquarium, all the way to the fish and crustaceans living in an artificial reef. An experience made possible thanks to the interactive display specially prepared for the occasion!
Workshop coordinator : Pascal Claquin and Camille Carpentier
- Workshop « How old is this whelk?» 🐚
How can you tell a young specimen apart? By its shell? Exactly, thanks to the ridges — just like the rings of trees. A fun and educational activity dedicated to the biology of marine resources. With the help of magnifying glasses, you will learn more about these shellfish, which are highly appreciated for their taste.
Workshop coordinator : Kristell Kellner with the support of Yohan Ansel
- Workshop « Seaweed: savored… scientifically » 🧪
Do you like seaweed in cooking? Then this workshop is for you!
Used for their nutritional qualities and their gelling and/or thickening properties in our desserts and sauces, seaweed has not finished surprising us.
Workshop coordinator : Anne-Marie Rusig accompanied by Isabelle Mussio, with the support of Wendy Diruit
- Workshop « From the sea to the plate: the great journey of ocean resources » 🍽️
How important are marine resources in our everyday lives? An activity led by students from the AquaCaen student association. Riddles, challenges, missions and awareness-raising activities await you for this moment of sharing among enthusiasts.
By AQUACAEN students
- Workshop « The scientific flavors of oysters » 🦪
Did you know that a Normandy oyster will not taste the same as an oyster from Brittany? A food product from our coastlines, you will discover how the marine environment influences the aromas and flesh of this exceptional mollusc.
Workshop coordinator : Clothilde Berthelin
- Workshop « Under our feet: the tiny engineers of Normandy’s sand» 🏖️
How do the organisms living in the sand influence coastal erosion ? Through simulations of currents in observation tanks, you will be able to see which species modify the structure of the sand. An immersion into the worlds of biology and geology.
Workshop coordinator : Francis Orvain with the support of Léa Delatte
CONFERENCES / SCIENCE TALKS :
◌ Friday 9 October, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m : « Jean-Vincent-Félix Lamouroux, the first marine biologist in Normandy»
◌ By Benoît VERON 🌿
Professor at the University of Caen in 1808 and author of a classification of algae that is still used today on five continents, Jean-Vincent-Felix Lamouroux was one of the first, and undoubtedly the greatest, specialist in algae of his time, before extending his research to aquatic fauna and geology. Through his historical herbarium, composed of specimens collected from around the world at the beginning of the 19th century, this is an opportunity to enrich your knowledge of Norman science.
◌ Saturday 10 October, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m, «At the end of the tentacles: the mystery of Normandy’s cuttlefish » 🐙
◌ By Céline GAUDIN
What exactly do you know about these delicious cephalopods ? This is your opportunity to become an expert on this ink-squirting animal, endowed with remarkable intelligence and a fascinating ability to camouflage itself. This lecture will reveal how these animals react to changes in their environment, as well as the course of their lives.
All of these events, conferences and workshops, in which MERSEA colleagues and Master’s students in Marine Sciences are taking part, are coordinated by the Coastal Environment Research Centre (CREC) of the University of Caen Normandy, in collaboration with Le Dôme, with the support of the Cœur de Nacre Community of Communes and the City of Luc-sur-Mer.