Cadarache

Cadarache (French pronunciation: [kadaʁaʃ]) in Southern France is the largest technological research and development centre for energy in Europe.

Established in the north of the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, close to the village of Saint-Paul-lès-Durance to the west, CEA Cadarache is located about 40 kilometres (24 mi) from Aix-en-Provence, approximately 60 kilometres (37 mi) northeast of Marseille, standing near the borders of three other departments: the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Var and Vaucluse.

It is a major source of employment in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region and has one of the heaviest concentrations of specialised scientific staff.

Cadarache began its research activities when President Charles de Gaulle launched France's atomic energy programme in 1959.

It employs over 5,000 people, and approximately 700 students and foreign collaborators carry out research in the facility's laboratories.