Passport to the Big Bang

Opened in 2013 for the public, Geneva’s Large Hadron Collider is an endeavour to reveal the meaning of the universe. Unveil the secrets of the Universe hidden in the belly of the Passport to the Big Bang, either by cycling or hiking covering an area of 27 km and 100 metres below the ground. The Franco-Swiss countryside and the 10-communicative points connecting various CERN sites, each around 4km in length, make for a once-in-a-lifetime educational tour.

Kick-off your cycling tour from the ATLAS experiment in Meyrin, where particle collisions are recorded, to the CERN Control Centre from where the particle beams are operated. Sounds heavy? Well, as you’ll pedal around the full circuit, you’ll reach hot spots like the CERN stations studying the Big Bang, analysing antimatter, examining neutrinos, accelerating and detecting particles and dealing with cryogenics. Phew!
The not-so-geeky folks need not get disappointed. You can still benefit from the knowledge-friendly cycle ride due to the platforms at each of the 10 stages which explains the important research being conducted through the giant machine underneath your feet.

How to Get There: Before embarking on the trip, it is beneficial to get your hands on the complementary booklet available from tourist offices in the region which has educational games and child-friendly puzzles for an enriching journey.
When to Go: It can be accessed at any time of the year, free of cost.