Founded in 1976 by physicists wishing to work near the CERN, LAPP has significantly developed. It currently hosts nearly 160 people (scientists, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff) involved in cutting-edge research.
A ceremony was held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, bringing together current and former staff, local elected officials, state representatives, the supervising bodies (CNRS and USMB), and partners. Vincent Poireau, Director of LAPP since July 2026, opened the festivities by presenting the laboratory's experiments and expertise.
Personalities including Mohammed Benlahsen (Regional Delegate for Higher Education, Research and Innovation), Véronique Riotton (Member of Parliament), Ségolène Guichard (Regional Councillor), Dominique Puthod (Departmental and Municipal Councillor), and Bernard Accoyer (Member of Parliament and Honorary Mayor of Annecy-le-Vieux) praised LAPP's driving role for the region, economy, training, and scientific culture, emphasizing the need to invest in regional scientific excellence.
Christelle Roy (Director of the CNRS Nuclear & Particle Institute), Philippe Briand (President of Savoie Mont Blanc University), and Arnaud Marsollier (CERN Spokesperson) highlighted LAPP's importance in international scientific collaborations, particularly with CERN, and its outreach to the economic sector and the general public.
The afternoon featured conferences tracing the laboratory's history, with Emmanuel Mamosa (assistant engineer), and presentations of current and future research by Narei Lorenzo Martinez (researcher). Giovanni Lamanna, former director (2016-2026), concluded by stressing the importance of societal exchanges.
Anecdotes from former LAPP members, musical interludes by the association Les Sittelles Musiciennes, and an exhibition of artworks by Margaux Pinot and Thibault Carcassonne, inspired by LAPP's archives, punctuated the day.
A public lecture by Yann Mambrini (researcher at IJCLab) on the history of the Universe attracted over 160 people after the ceremony.
This celebration highlighted the history of particle physics research and LAPP's key role in France and the Haute-Savoie region. Festivities will continue on October 3 and 4, 2026, with open house days, and throughout the year during the monthly Mercredis du LAPP et du LAPTh events.
