On 7th October 2022, personalities including representatives of the governing bodies and partners of the Institut d'études scientifiques de Cargèse (IESC, CNRS/Univ. Côte d'Azur/Univ. de Corse Pasquale Paoli), gathered for the ceremony to receive the "historic site" distinction from the European Physical Society (EPS). The IESC thus becomes the 6th site to receive this award in France, two years after the Ecole de physique des Houches. On this occasion, a commemorative plaque was unveiled by Luc Bergé, President of the EPS and Guy Wormser, President of the French Physical Society (SFP). "The Institut d'études scientifiques de Cargèse has participated in the history of physics through the great names who have stayed there, but the history continues to be made. The younger generations who are here to learn will later set up projects and remember that they came through Cargèse," said Luc Bergé.

The Institut d'études scientifiques de Cargèse (IESC) received this award for its strong historical involvement in the dissemination of modern knowledge and concepts in physics.
The IESC was born in 1960 from an idea of Maurice Levy, professor at the Faculty of Sciences in Paris and director of the Laboratory of Theoretical Physics at the ENS. 60 years later, more than 700 schools have been organised and about 2000 international students are welcomed every year.

Created to host physics conferences, the IESC has opened up to other disciplines over time, making interdisciplinarity one of its trademarks. The concept behind this school remains the same as that of its "big sister" Les Houches: to offer quality training on contemporary advances, by renowned scientists, in an idyllic setting conducive to reflection and meetings.

The site where the IESC is located in Corsica, France - image credit: IESC

EPS President Luc Bergé unveiling the plaque with SFP President Guy Wormser - image credit: IESC

The plaque in front of the IESC building - image credit: IESC