Discovery and science

Friday, July 12 was an exceptional day, marking a double anniversary celebration: 120 years of the Lautaret garden and 80 years of the CNRS, one of our supervisory bodies along withUniversité Grenoble Alpes. Staff from both entities, residents of the surrounding communities, and prominent figures from the political, academic, and scientific worlds were invited to the event.

After a welcome coffee, Jean-Gabriel Valay, director of the Lautaret garden, launched the anniversary ceremony, followed by speeches from official figures.

From top to bottom and left to right: Jean-Gabriel Valay, director of the Lautaret garden, Olivier Fons, mayor of Villar d'Arêne, Pierre-Henri Grenier, deputy CEO of Banque Populaire Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, Alain Schuhl, deputy director general for science at the CNRS, Patrick Lévy, president ofUniversité Grenoble Alpes, Cécile Bigot-Dekeyzer, prefect of the Hautes-Alpes.

The guests then moved to the historic porch to recreate the photo taken on August 5, 1919, when the Garden was moved from the Col du Lautaret to its current location.

Guests were able to explore the Garden's installations thanks to several guided tours.
 

After a buffet, candles were blown out to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the CNRS and the 120th anniversary of the Lautaret Observatory. The cakes were cut by Patrick Lévy, President ofUniversité Grenoble Alpes, Jean-Gabriel Valay, Director of the Lautaret Observatory, and Alain Schuhl, Deputy Director General for Science at the CNRS (from left to right).

The day ended with the inauguration of the course. Discovery & Science and official speeches by Professor Claude Boutron, President of the National Alpine Botanical Conservatory, and Rolland Douzet, Deputy Director of the Lautaret Garden.