Visits team
Putting stars in the eyes of every visitor
25 Feb 2019
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Katerina Komissarova
Whether you are a physicist or an engineer, a journalist or a businessperson, a student or a tourist ... the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ Communication visits team can plan a visit for you.
The magic of visiting °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ. Physicist Greg De Temmerman runs a mini °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ laboratory during Open Doors day in October 2018, using marshmallows to explain the phenomenon of vacuum.
The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ Communication visits team shares its unique experience and knowledge of the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ Project all year round*, tailoring each visit program to the type of guest or group. Welcoming on average two visitor groups per day, the team strives to answer any and all questions from visitors with diverse interests and educational backgrounds.
Depending on the visitor profile, presentations and tours can focus on °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ science, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ construction, engineering and manufacturing, international collaboration, or the complex organization of a project of this scale.
This is the magic of visiting °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ.
This is the magic of visiting °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ.
The "fusion journey" of the curious mind usually begins at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ's state-of-the-art Visitor Centre, where guests can enjoy a rich and immersive experience. During a one-hour presentation, the audience learns about fusion in the universe, fusion on Earth, the advantages of the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ machine, and °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ's mission and history.
Guiding the audience through the complex °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ universe represents a double challenge. The person "running the show" must sense the needs of each group and adapt the presentation timely and efficiently, while explaining complex technological concepts in an accessible manner. Every group is different; every "°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ journey" is unique. One thing that does not change from visit to visit, from group to group, is the "good vibe" that visitors and their guide share. It comes naturally: the audience shares the guide's enthusiasm while gradually taking steps into the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ world. The excitement is catching. Questions are asked and answered.
People from neighbouring towns are happy to learn that °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ is creating jobs. Visitors from abroad enjoy deeper explanations about the international aspects of the project and the challenging logistics put into place to bring °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ components from all over the world to southern France. Those following the project closely are eager to hear about progress on the buildings that will soon house the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ machine and systems.
And—worksite conditions permitting—every visit ends with a tour of the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ construction site by bus. The excitement at this point usually puts stars in the eyes of our visitors ...
We invite you to look at the project's website for more information about visiting °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ.
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ also participates in the organization of local and regional events, competitions and conferences to raise awareness about the project and nuclear fusion in general. In particular, our biannual °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ Open Doors days are a great opportunity for the public to learn more about the project (follow the link in blue above).
*14,000 people visited °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ last year—7,500 visitors were accompanied by the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ Communication visits team, 1,500 by the Director-General's Cabinet VIP team, and 5,000 local schoolchildren by Agence Iter France.
*14,000 people visited °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ last year—7,500 visitors were accompanied by the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¸ßÊÖ Communication visits team, 1,500 by the Director-General's Cabinet VIP team, and 5,000 local schoolchildren by Agence Iter France.