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ESRF

ESRF
credit: VUEDICI.ORG/ESR

ESRF Description

With a brand-new generation of high-energy synchrotron, the ESRF is the world’s brightest synchrotron light source and a centre of excellence for fundamental and innovation-driven research in condensed and living matter science. Located in Grenoble, France, the European Synchrotron owes its success to the international cooperation of 19 partner countries.

The ESRF – The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility – is the most intense source of synchrotron-generated light, producing X-rays 100 billion times brighter than the X-rays used in hospitals. These X-rays, endowed with exceptional properties, are produced at the ESRF by the high energy electrons that race around the storage ring, a circular tunnel measuring 844 metres in circumference.
Each year, more than 9000 scientists from around the world come to Grenoble, to “beamlines”, each equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Thanks to the brilliance and quality of its X-rays, the ESRF functions like a “super-microscope” which “films” the position and motion of atoms in condensed and living matter, and reveals the structure of matter in all its beauty and complexity. It provides unrivalled opportunities for scientists in the exploration of materials and living matter in many fields: chemistry, material physics, archaeology and cultural heritage, structural biology and medical applications, environmental sciences, information science and nanotechnologies.

From making history in 1988 as the world’s first third-generation synchrotron, to launching the first of a new generation of high-energy light source in 2020, the force of the ESRF is its capacity to innovate, pushing technology to its limits and seeking ever-higher performances in order to provide scientists with state-of-the-art instruments. ESRF-Extremely Brilliant Source (EBS) improves X-ray performances of brilliance and coherence by a factor of 100 compared to the previous source. Based on an award-winning lattice design, ESRF-EBS paves the way for a new standard of synchrotrons around the world.

For more details, please visit the website.

Website ESRF

ESRF visit details

The ESRF visit will take place in GRENOBLE on Saturday, 23 May 2026 in the afternoon. The ESRF will be in shutdown. All technical equipment will be accessible.

Address
European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
71, avenue des Martyrs, CS 40220
38043 Grenoble Cedex 9, France

Contact
Benoit Joly bjoly@esrf.fr
Jean-Luc Revol revoljl@esrf.fr

The visit will include

  • Welcome drink / coffee
  • General presentation of the ESRF, visit of the Control Room, the Storage Ring Tunnel and a Beamline.
  • It will be organized by groups of 10 pers. each accompanied by a guide.
  • Dedicated visits or meetings can be organised on request.
Restrictions
  • Minimum age is 12 years old.
  • For safety reasons, this tour is not open for individuals with active implants, such as pacemakers.
  • Also for safety reasons, footwear must be closed shoes and no high heels.
  • We need, in advance, full details for each participant (Full name, date and place of birth, nationality).
Travel information
  • Transport from Deauville to Grenoble and hotel reservations are NOT PROVIDED.
  • Participants are responsible for booking and financing their train/flight and hotel for Friday, 22 May.
  • No return travel to Paris or Normandy will be organized after the visit.
  • Assistance for travel information and during your stay in Grenoble can be provided by ESRF staff.

Distances and Travel Options

  • Grenoble is about 800 km from Deauville.
  • Train: 6 to 8 hours with at least one connection.
  • Flight: Direct flights exist from Caen (CFR) to Lyon (LYS) (operated by Air France).
  • Bus: From Lyon Airport to Grenoble city centre, approx. 1 hour (Flixbus)

Useful links to travel

Accommodations in Grenoble

Grenoble Hotels

4* Hotel Novotel Grenoble Centre – 7 place Robert Schuman, 38000 Grenoble
Tel: 04.76.70.84.84 – H1624@accor.com
Total travel time to ESRF is 19 min on foot + tram B
Train station is 2 min away

4* Okko Hotel – 23 Rue Hoche, 38000 Grenoble
Tel: 04.85.19.00.10 – grenoble3801@okkohotels.com
Total travel time to ESRF is 33 min on foot + tram B

3* Hotel Europole – 29 Rue Pierre Semard, 38000 Grenoble
Tel: 04.76.49.51.52 – resa@hoteleuropole.com
Total travel time to ESRF is 19 min on foot + tram B
Train station is 5 min away

3* Maison Barbillon (ASSAS) (Former hotel Institut) – 10 Rue Louis Barbillon, 38000 Grenoble
Tel: 04.58.00.52.43 – reservation@maisonbarbillon.com
Total travel time to ESRF is 21 min on foot + tram B
Train station is 4 min away

2* Brit Hotel Suisse et Bordeaux – 6 Place de la Gare, 38000 Grenoble
Tel: 04.76.46.30.50 – contact@suisseetbordeaux.com
Total travel time to ESRF is 20 min on foot + tram B
Train station is 3 min away

2* Greet Hotel Centre Gare (former Hotel des Alpes) – 45 Avenue Felix Viallet, 38000 Grenoble
Tel: 04. 76.87.00.71 – Hc066@accor.com
Total Travel time to ESRF is 21 min on foot + tram B
Train station is 4 min away

Grenoble Apart’ Hotels

3* Le Hub Privilodge Grenoble – 25 avenue Doyen Louis Weil, 38000 Grenoble
Tel: 09.70.72.08.86 – grenoble@lehub-privilodges.com
Total travel time to ESRF is 18 min on foot + tram B
Train station is 5 min away

3* Residhotel Central’Gare – 8 place de la Gare, 38000 Grenoble
Tel: 04.76.50.77.88 – centralgare@residhotel.com
Total travel time to ESRF is 21 min on foot + tram