Toulouse is Europe’s space capital, and a century of aeronautical history has been written here. It is in this territory, and in service of these two industries, that Semeccel carries out its mission.

Semeccel’s strength lies in its status as a mixed-economy company (société d’économie mixte) working for the common good. Majority-owned by Toulouse Métropole alongside major industry players, it pursues, through two sites emblematic of the local authority, very concrete objectives: sharing a living, high-quality scientific and historical culture with every audience, promoting the space and aeronautics sectors, and contributing to the attractiveness and European and international standing of a metropolis that has never stopped daring. Audiences, industries, territory: that is its identity.

As operator of the Cité de l’espace and L’Envol des Pionniers in Toulouse, and co-operator of Guyaspace Expérience in Kourou on behalf of CNES, Semeccel brings together a wide range of professions. All of them work toward a single goal: making space and aeronautics accessible to all our visitors.

Popularising science is a demanding profession, requiring scientific rigour, pedagogical skill, and the ability to bring subjects to life.

A visit to the Cité de l’espace or to L’Envol des Pionniers is a memorable encounter, an experience that stays with you, an image that moves you, and, often, a spark.

Semeccel was born of a simple yet powerful ambition: to enable everyone, young and old, to experience science as an adventure, and to immerse themselves in realities that are as fascinating as they are inspiring. For nearly thirty years, our teams have been designing, operating and bringing to life unique sites of scientific and industrial culture, in Toulouse and beyond: the Cité de l’espace, L’Envol des Pionniers, and, since 2024, Guyaspace Expérience in Kourou, on behalf of the French national space agency (CNES).

Our mission is a multifaceted one: to share space and aeronautics culture and promote these industries, to inspire wonder, to spark curiosity, to support access to education, to contribute to our region’s appeal, and to cultivate the Toulouse spirit. We act with the rigour of a company and the vocation of a public service, in a spirit of cooperation, innovation and knowledge-sharing.

Our staff — guides and educators, technicians, museum specialists, front-of-house teams, experts, chefs and servers, administrative managers, communications professionals — are the beating heart of this adventure. Their commitment, their rigour and their passion for welcoming and sharing bring our sites and our projects to life every day, in France and internationally.

Semeccel’s values are a belief in the power of teamwork and the power of discovery. They mean making every visit a living, meaningful and inspiring experience. And they also mean, modestly but resolutely, contributing to a sustainable and enlightened future.