A mountain sanctuary for physics since 1951.
Les Houches is a village in the Chamonix valley, in the French Alps. The Physics School was established in 1951 and is situated at 1150 m above sea level, surrounded by natural landscapes with breathtaking views of the Mont-Blanc massif.
The École de Physique des Houches is a joint structure of CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, Grenoble-INP and ENS de Lyon. It hosts thematic schools year-round and has a long tradition of producing landmark lecture notes.
The main building holds a library with the principal scientific journals and reference books, multiple working rooms with blackboards, and a computer room with a laser printer. Wireless and Ethernet connections are available in the main building.
Meals are served three times a day in the school dining room. A coffeehouse is available for coffee, tea (free!), and social activities including a piano, table football, and table tennis.
Participants are housed in individual bedrooms in chalets scattered on the mountainside. A flashlight is useful at night as outdoor lighting can be limited.
The school sits at 1150 m (3,800 ft). Summer temperatures range from 5°C to 25°C. Bring sport clothes, a warm sweater, rain gear, good walking shoes, and comfortable home shoes. Weather can change quickly in the mountains.
Les Houches is easily accessible from Geneva airport (about 1 hour by car or shuttle). Detailed directions and transport options are available on the school's official website.
Les Houches is a paradise for mountain hiking, with dozens of trails accessible on foot or by cable car. The Chamonix valley offers world-class outdoor activities including climbing, paragliding, and cycling.
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