On Friday, October 4th, 2024, the CMS Collaboration organised an in-person event at Point 5 for the residents of the Pays de Gex, France, where the CMS detector is located. For the first time after COVID-19, the local community was invited to visit CMS and joined exclusive guided tours by CMS scientists, including the Spokesperson, Gautier Hamel de Monchenault.
Many residents of Cessy are unaware that right next to their houses, underneath one of the large buildings of Cessy, the CMS detector is housed and is producing one of the largest particle physics datasets globally, which scientists then use for their research. On June 2nd, 2024, the municipal council of Pays de Gex organised a Colour Run event in Cessy, and CMS participated with a stand. Many people stopped by to talk to CMS scientists, solve crosswords and win souvenir gifts, but, most importantly, sign up for a tour at CMS!
On the evening of the event, fifty-five people aged between eight (the minimum allowed at CMS) and nearly 80 (no maximum!) stood in anticipation in front of the security gate of P5, full of excitement to see what was behind these doors! Soon the visitors met the guides and were walking in the surface hall, where large CMS components were assembled as far back as 2006 (and this building is still being used today, including for the next phases of CMS!), and then into the exhibition area of the Peter Sharp room.
Gautier welcomed the visitors and gave a brief introduction to the CMS Experiment. After dividing the people into five groups, the visits underground (to the service cavern) and to the control room began. Following the guided tour, the visitors had the chance to enjoy a casual conversation with CMS scientists over drinks and snacks.
We had a great time, a super interesting visit with a top-notch guide - feedback from a visitor at CMS
All visitors left the CMS site understanding much more about the scientific importance of the area they live in and feeling thrilled for the future upgrades and results, according to their feedback. CMS is planning to organise a similar event during the yearly winter maintenance break, and there was a large demand from these visitors to return to be able to see the detector itself.
I am 8 years old, I liked the visit, the speed of the elevator, it was impressive.
I would have liked someone to explain to me before the protons and electrons, because it is a great mystery, because I want to become a scientist - feedback from one of the youngest visitors
As CMS moves closer to the High Luminosity phase of the LHC, everybody in the area will see an increase in activities on site for the new version of the detector. CMS is delighted to share the next phase of the detector with the local community throughout this period.
It is with great pleasure that the town hall and I await your news so that we can offer these visits to our residents. - request from Cessy’s Town Hall to collaborate on future events
Thanks to all the guides and staff who contributed to making it an unforgettable evening: Anne-Marie Magnan, Ludivine Ceard, Jean Fay, Paola Tropea, Karla Pena, Amina Zgiche, Dave Barney, Dawn Hudson, Inna Berezhetska, Roberto Perruzza, Gautier Hamel de Monchenault, Hafeez Hoorani, Sofia Hurst, and Nefeli Stathaki.