A technological jewel nestled in rural Provence
On a clear late morning last week, our drone operator captured this spectacular view of the international territory that hosts the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø installation. Four times as large as the Vatican City State, but slightly smaller than the Principality of Monaco, the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø enclave covers 180 hectares, of which about half is occupied by buildings and infrastructure. The land was conceded by France to the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø in 2010, and will be returned once ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø has completed its scientific program.
Fifteen years after construction work was launched, in the summer of 2010, the 42-hectare platform at the heart of the enclave has acquired its quasi-final appearance. Civil works are now complete and the only "missing" structure is the Hot Cell & Radwaste Facility that will sit next to the Tokamak Complex, facing the boomerang-shaped Headquarters Building of the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø.
Other aerial photos from the latest campaign will be posted soon to the image library of the ºÚÁÏ×¨Çø website.