Visit SOLEIL – Guided Tours
Explore one of France’s leading research infrastructures and discover how light reveals the invisible.
Useful Information
When?
Guided tours take place Tuesday to Thursday, between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Group visits are organized outside school holidays (Zone C). Individual visits are available in English.
Who can visit?
For groups: 5 people minimum. Open to all audiences: school groups, university students, professionals, and the general public.
Minimum age: 12 years old (required by regulation, as SOLEIL is an industrial site). Warning : minors must be accompanied by an adult, groups of minors must be accompanied by at least 2 adults.
Where?
Reception Pavilion
Synchrotron SOLEIL – L’Orme des Merisiers
D128, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
A visitor parking lot is available for cars, bicycles, and buses.
How much?
All visits are free of charge.
Reservation is mandatory and must be made online.
We do not take bookings by phone or email.
Additional information
- No catering or picnic facilities are available on-site.
- The Moulon area (15-minute walk) offers shops, bakeries, and restaurants.
- Visits last approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
- Tours are guided in French or English, depending on availability.
- Access is restricted for visitors with certain medical implants
- (e.g., pacemakers, insulin pumps, neurostimulators). Cochlear implants are allowed.
Booking
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to SOLEIL?
You’ll find the address and access information here. [link]
Is there parking for buses?
Yes. A visitor parking lot is located in front of the reception pavilion. Buses can also park there.
Can we eat on site?
No. There are no catering services available to the public, and picnicking is not allowed on site.
You’ll find options (bakery, convenience store, restaurants…) in the Moulon area, a 15-minute walk away.
How long does the visit last?
Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the program.
Can we start the visit at a different time than those listed on the booking site?
Yes. During booking, you can indicate your preferred start time in the “comments” field. We will do our best to accommodate your request, within the following time frames: Morning visits end no later than 12:30 p.m. Afternoon visits begin no earlier than 1:00 p.m. and end by 6:00 p.m.
What is the maximum number of participants per time slot?
It depends on the number of guides available. Capacity ranges from 15 to 45 people. For larger groups, see the question below.
What if we’re a large group or want to visit for the full day?
If your group has more than 45 people, or you wish to stay all day: Book two time slots (morning and afternoon), or If that’s not possible online, contact us at visites@synchrotron-soleil.fr
We can suggest complementary activities with partner institutions.
What’s the minimum age to visit SOLEIL?
Visitors must be at least 12 years old, as required for access to industrial sites. This limit may be lowered during special events like open days.
Is the site accessible to visitors with disabilities?
Yes. Please let us know about any specific needs in the booking form or by email.
Can we take photos or videos during the visit?
Yes, unless otherwise indicated by your guide.
Can we arrive late?
No. For safety and scheduling reasons, tours start on time. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes in advance.
What if I don’t have the full participant list at the time of booking?
No problem: you can email us the list (name, surname, contact) no later than the day before your visit.
What if there are no time slots available?
If the website shows no availability, it means we are fully booked. New slots are added regularly — check the site.
Do I need to bring an ID?
It is not mandatory, but we recommend bringing an ID in case of on-site checks or incidents.