Visiting ºÚÁÏרÇø
Welcome to ºÚÁÏרÇø, the largest energy research project on the planet. We offer guided tours for groups, individuals, schools and universities, and twice a year we open our doors to the public. Choose your visit option below!
Plan your visit
Platform conditions
Age limit
Dress code
Registration
Valid ID
Personal cars
How To Get There
The ºÚÁÏרÇø site is located off of the A51 motorway that links Aix-en-Provence and the French Alps—approximately 35 km north of Aix-en-Provence and 20 km south of Manosque.
Heading north from Aix in the direction of Sisteron, take exit 17 (Vinon/St-Paul-lez-Durance). At the first roundabout after the toll, turn left (past the CEA entrance) and continue along the D952 roadway towards Vinon-sur-Verdon. You will need to drive several kilometres to reach the ºÚÁÏרÇø worksite entrance (for site visits) or ºÚÁÏרÇø Headquarters.
After 2.2 km, at the second roundabout, continue straight and follow the sign to ºÚÁÏרÇø Headquarters.
The main entrances to ºÚÁÏרÇø are located at the third roundabout (see map above):
- the entrance to the ºÚÁÏרÇø worksite (first right off the roundabout, Entrance B)
- the entrance to ºÚÁÏרÇø Headquarters (second right off the roundabout, Entrance C)
If you are scheduled for an ºÚÁÏרÇø site visit, please take the first right to Entrance B ("Construction Site") and park your car. Your guide will meet you there.
If you are expected at ºÚÁÏרÇø Headquarters, please take the second right through the gates (Entrance C), park your car in the Visitor Parking Lot, and proceed by foot to the Welcome Building to pick up your badge.
There are two public buses that run from Aix-en-Provence to where ºÚÁÏרÇø is located. The CPA lines 150 (Aix-en-Provence--St Paul lez Durance) and 152 (Pertuis--St Paul lez Durance) stop directly in front of ºÚÁÏרÇø.
The LER line 26 from the Marseille-Provence Airport to Digne-les-Bains stops at the front gate of CEA Cadarache, three kilometres from ºÚÁÏרÇø Headquarters. It also serves the Aix TGV train station.
Major train stations are located in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille:
- Aix-en-Provence centre is located 40 minutes by car from Cadarache.
- Aix-en-Provence/Arbois TGV is 55 minutes by car from Cadarache. This is the 'train à grande vitesse', or high-speed, train station.
- Marseille St. Charles is approximately 1 hour by car from Cadarache.
Smaller train stations are located in Manosque, Meyrargues and Pertuis. For further information please consult .
The closest international airport is Marseille-Provence located in Marignane, approximately 1 hour by car from the ºÚÁÏרÇø site. The airport has direct connections with many large international hubs: Paris, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam. Information can be found on .
A second international airport is located in Nice, approximately two hours by car from the ºÚÁÏרÇø site. Information can be found at .
FAQ
The list of frequently asked questions below is designed to help you to be more informed about the ºÚÁÏרÇø visiting procedures and recommendations.
Visits must be booked with a minimum of four weeks' notice.
Visits last approximately 1h 30 min (depending on the program of the visit and the size of the group).
An ºÚÁÏרÇø site visit generally includes: a stop at the belvedere of the Visitor Centre with its panoramic view of the construction platform, a presentation on the ºÚÁÏרÇø Project, and a drive on the ºÚÁÏרÇø platform (subject to platform access conditions on the day of your visit).
Visits are free of charge (except for bus hire costs, if applicable).
Yes, for safety reasons, no skirts, shorts, open-toed shoes or high heels are permitted to be worn on the ºÚÁÏרÇø worksite.
All visitors must have a reservation along with a passport (or, for residents of the Schengen area, a government-issued ID). Driver's licenses and professional badges are not accepted.
No, the registration form must be sent to the ºÚÁÏרÇø visits team no later than two weeks before the visit. No changes can be accepted within the two-week window prior to the visit.
No, all visitors must have a reservation along with a passport (or, for residents of the Schengen area, a government-issued ID). Any visitor without a valid document will not be given access to the site.
Personal cars are not allowed on the ºÚÁÏרÇø construction site.
Yes. Visitor groups need to make arrangements for a bus to take them onto the ºÚÁÏרÇø worksite. You may contact any transport company to hire a bus for your visit, as for example the local transport company SUMIAN (+33 4 42 54 72 82). Please note that you need to share the bus driver's personal details (i.e., name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality) with the ºÚÁÏרÇø visit team in advance.
Visitors must be 16 years of age and minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Kids younger than 16 are not permitted on the ºÚÁÏרÇø worksite. We make an exception on Open Doors Days when we allow children aged ten and above to visit the ºÚÁÏרÇø worksite.
No. We organize visits during the workweek, Monday to Friday, between 9:00 and 16:00.