°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ

Open Doors Day

Enthusiasm and dedication

The 18th edition of Open Doors Day took place on a sunny weekend in early April, to the satisfaction of approximately 700 visitors. A large team of volunteers facilitated the event, each one sharing his or her "piece" of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ.
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Don't forget to look up! There is a lot to see in °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ's machine assembly hall, including far overhead.

While Open Doors Days always draw a large influx of visitors, the regular site visit program—which welcomes individuals or groups throughout the year—results in the lion's share of annual visits. Nearly 20,000 visitors passed through the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ gates in 2022, the highest number ever recorded. The five-person visit team at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ handled an average of 55 groups per month, helped by more than 100 trained volunteers from across the organization. Agence Iter France, part of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), hosted approximately 4,500 French schoolchildren (primary) and another 2,000 students. New since 2021, it is possible to have a virtual visit of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ—an option selected by some 600 people last year from many far-flung places on the globe.

There are lots of ways to experience °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ! See this page for more information.

Open Door Days take place twice a year at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ, barring events outside of our control, but they never get old. Each time, the enthusiasm of the public and the dedication of specialists from all corners of the project combine to make for a fulfilling day. Visitors leave with a better sense of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ's scientific mission and the intricacies involved in building the world's largest magnetic confinement fusion device, while insiders have the pleasure of stepping back from their demanding day jobs to share their enthusiasm for °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ's overall mission.

In addition to staff and contractors from the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ Organization and the European Domestic Agency Fusion for Energy, who volunteered their time, many other people contributed to the smooth operation of the daylong event, including those who handled registration, security, and hospitality. Julie Marcillat, from the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ Communication, orchestrated the event.

See the gallery below for scenes from the latest Open Doors Day at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ.