CERN - Science Gateway

CERN, journey to the heart of matter!

Founded in 1954, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious scientific laboratories. Dedicated to particle physics research and the study of the laws of the Universe, the organisation welcomes visitors from all over the world and offers immersive exhibitions, interactive shows and hands-on workshops for young and old alike.

A world of discoveries

CERN is famous for being home to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a 27-kilometre-long machine that stretches under the French-Swiss border and which, among other things, led to the discovery of the Higgs boson, in 2012. It was also at CERN that the World Wide Web was invented in 1989 and that the first antimatter particles were created in 1995. From the infinitely small to the Big Bang, CERN is constantly revolutionising our understanding of the world!

CERN Science Gateway

Nestled in a lush green forest next to the Globe of Science and Innovation – the beautiful wooden sphere that has served as CERN’s welcome centre since 2004 – the Science Gateway appeals to visitors from all over the world, experienced scientists, amateurs, children and adults alike.
A unique education and outreach centre for all, the Science Gateway comprises exhibition halls, hands-on laboratories, a modular auditorium, a shop and a restaurant covering an area of 8,000 m2.
Inaugurated in October 2023, the iconic building was designed by internationally renowned architect Renzo Piano and features a futuristic design with suspended tubes, a reminder of CERN’s avant-garde accelerators, and footbridges, symbols of the inseparable link between science and society.

Why the Science Gateway?

The Science Gateway aims to expand CERN’s already extensive range of education programmes. Visitors aged 5 and up are welcome to develop their physics skills in laboratory workshops, explore the universe through immersive multimedia exhibitions and visit the research facilities. Guides – members of CERN’s staff – are on hand to take you on a memorable tour. Just register when you arrive at the Science Gateway reception. Admission is free and the centre is open 6 days a week (closed on Mondays).

Explore the Universe

Featuring interactive activities, immersive environments, hands-on experiments and real scientific objects, the exhibitions at the Science Gateway are open to visitors of all ages. Enjoy a journey to the heart of matter, from the study of particles to the Big Bang, via the quantum world! Temporary exhibitions are also available at the Globe of Science and Innovation.
The Science Gateway also offers captivating and interactive public lectures, film screenings and theatre-like performances on the states of matter, particle detection, superconductivity or big data. Come aboard the Proton Express!
Finally, the lab workshops are an ideal way to discover the work of CERN’s scientists and engineers. The workshops last between 45 and 90 minutes and cover a range of subjects, from the basic principles of particle detection to the use of robots in science. From Cloud Chamber to Slimy Detectors, Programming with Ozobots and the LEGO Robotic Challenge, these workshops will give you a whole new perspective on science!

Click here for opening hours.