Odeillo Solar Furnace

The Odeillo Solar Furnace: A Research Laboratory... and an Exhibition for the General Public.
Energy exchange is at the very heart of life on Earth...
In Odeillo, it's hard to say which energy is more powerful: that of the Sun, amplified by a fabulous field of mirrors, or that of the scientists and other dedicated individuals who are actively sharing their knowledge with the public. Come and see for yourself!

World-renowned for its exceptional architecture, the world's largest solar furnace inevitably attracts numerous visitors. And it is to meet this demand that, under the auspices of the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research), the Odeillo Solar Furnace Exhibition – Taming the Sun – was created.

There, you will discover the mysteries of this temple of the Sun and its role in the field of scientific research. Interactive educational tools explain the physical principles of energy conversion (water, wind, geothermal, solar), the characteristics of light (composition, propagation, absorption, reflection, concentration), the history of the THEMIS Solar Power Plant, and the history and current activities of the Odeillo Solar Furnace.

A solar fusion simulator and a film about ongoing research at the laboratory complete the visit... and as the world of research evolves, the exhibition does too, regularly offering new models and demonstration systems!