The CNRS 2025 talent ceremony for the Paris-Normandy delegation took place on Monday, November 24, in Paris, at the CNRS headquarters. On this occasion, a CNRS Collective Crystal was awarded to the team behind the “Les Jardins de la Physique 2.0” project, led by the École de Physique des Houches (Les Houches, CEA/CNRS/ENS de Lyon/Université Grenoble Alpes) in Haute-Savoie and the Institut d'Études Scientifiques de Cargèse (IESC, CNRS/ Université de Corse Pasquale Paoli / Université Côte d'Azur).

This prestigious distinction recognizes the excellence of these two scientific centers, nicknamed the “Jardins de la Physique” (Gardens of Physics), in terms of training and research, but also for their ability to innovate in times of crisis and adapt to the demands of sustainable development.

For more than 60 years, the École de Physique des Houches and the Institut d'Études Scientifiques de Cargèse have welcomed many leading researchers, including more than a hundred Nobel Prize winners, with the mission of training, promoting exchanges, and generating new ideas in research. While the Covid-19 crisis severely disrupted their activities in 2020, the teams reacted quickly to keep exchanges going despite the restrictions. To do this, they created hybrid formats, improved the tools available online, and adapted their infrastructure. In this regard, the “Oxyjeunes” operation, launched in Les Houches in April 2021 to help isolated young researchers, was a great success (reduced capacity, adapted equipment, adaptation of services, etc.), while outdoor reunions were organized in Cargèse.

At the same time, teams at both sites have also launched initiatives to reduce their environmental impact, for example by using solar panels, pellet boilers, and electric bikes. It should also be noted that Les Houches and Cargèse are cooperating more and more over time, particularly through reciprocal visits, exchanges of best practices, and joint discussions.

The members of the “Les Jardins de la Physique 2.0” project team:

• Nicholas EVANS – Technical and Safety Officer, Resident Officer, École de Physique des Houches
• Elsa GLASSON – Administrative Director, École de Physique des Houches
• Isabel LELIEVRE – Administrative and Financial Manager, in charge of participant reception, École de Physique des Houches
• Patrick MENDES – Technical and Safety Officer, Resident Agent, École de Physique des Houches
• Marina RIVERON – Assistant Administrative and Financial Director, École de Physique des Houches
• Mohamed CHAHDI – Head Chef, Institut d'Études Scientifiques de Cargèse
• Claudine CONFORTO – Kitchen Assistant, Institut d'Études Scientifiques de Cargèse
• Vittoria CONFORTO – Head Chef, Institut d'Études Scientifiques de Cargèse
• Dominique DONZELLA – Communications and Planning Manager, Institut d'Études Scientifiques de Cargèse
• Nathalie GIUDICELLI – General Secretary, Institut d'Études Scientifiques de Cargèse
• Dalila KLAI – Maintenance, Institut d'Études Scientifiques de Cargèse
• Angeliki OIKONOMOU – Management & Logistics Manager, Institut d'Études Scientifiques de Cargèse
• Jesus SALGADO-BLANCO – Caretaker, Gardener, Maintenance, Institut d'Études Scientifiques de Cargèse

Read more on the CNRS website (in French)