Venue

The Physics School of Les Houches  (l'École de Physique des Houches) was founded in 1951 and quickly attracted great names of modern physics. It is located in the village of Les Houches in the Alps (Savoy, France). 

	Address	On google maps
	Ecole de Physique des Houches, Cote des Chavants, 74310 Les Houches

Early March is the best season to ski at Les Houches. A few hours will be available everyday in the afternoon for free time.

Transportation

By plane: Geneva Airport is 1 hour drive from les Houches.

The simplest way is to use a shuttle service (approximately 40 euros up to the school, book at least three days in advance). If you already have your return date, we would recommend to book a return trip.  Click here for a complete view of the different companies. Beware: We do not recommend the Alpybus company (they do not reach the school). Price discounts are available with Mountain Drop-Offs by clicking on this link: MDO discount.

There is also a regular bus service between Geneva and Les Houches (only once or twice a day): http://www.coach-station.com. One should then take a taxi for the last 5 kms from the Les Houches village to the school (the total cost is similar to that of the limousine). One can also travel from Geneva to Les Houches by train (+ taxi from the train station to the School), but it is quite complicated (3 connections) and long (go through Annemasse on the French side or through Martigny on the Swiss side).

By train: arrival at the Les Houches station, with one change at Saint-Gervais (from France), or at Martigny (from Switzerland). There are about 10 trains per day between St Gervais and Les Houches (schedules, 20mn trip). Then we strongly advise you to take a taxi (taxi Garny : +33 (0)6 12 35 30 72, taxi Persault : +33 (0)4 50 54 41 09, taxi Favre : +33 (0)6 11 27 23 21, taxi Servoz : +33 (0)6 84 66 86 73 et taxi Carrier: +33 (0)6 22 75 19 37) to go up to the school (5km).

A better option is to take the train to Geneva airport and take a shuttle to les Houches from there (see the by train section).

By road: Les Houches are easily accessible from France (A41 highway), from Switzerland (Martigny and Col des Montets) and from Italy through the Mont Blanc Tunnel.

From Geneva and Le Fayet: 8km before Chamonix, 300 m after passing under the tunnel, bear right by the first road out for "Les Houches Bellevue". When arriving at the cable car station "Bellevue", turn right and continue upwards (roughly 2 km starting from the teleferic). 500m after the cable car station "Prarion", turn left and follow small arrows at crossroads. Continue up to the end of Route de la Côte des Chavants. Here you are! From Chamonix: bear right for "Les Houches-Chef-Lieu", turn right in Les Houches, go ahead at the cable car station "Bellevue". Then proceed as above.

Cars may be rented from Geneva and from Chamonix, it is useful to make a reservation.

Please note that you will need winter equipment to access the center. 

Weather

The Centre de Physique des Houches is in the Mont-Blanc area at an altitude of 1150m (3800 feet). The winter temperatures range from -15ºC to +5ºC, so please bring with you warm clothes. Note that sport/ski clothes are preferable.