Streets at CERN have carried names since the mid-1960s. While many have been named after renowned figures – historically, mainly men – in science and related fields, others have retained more generic names such as Route des Physiciens and Route des Services.

To better reflect the diversity of the people who have contributed to CERN and to modern physics, the CERN Directorate has decided to rename several streets in honour of individuals whose work has had a profound impact on the field.

The former Route Scherrer, which is unusually long and extends across the square in front of the Main Building, has been divided into three sections: Route Scherrer, Square Lise Meitner and Route Albert Picot.

Lise Meitner was a leading nuclear physicist who played a key role in the discovery and explanation of nuclear fission – the process by which an atomic nucleus splits and releases vast amounts of energy.

A previously unnamed street leading to the HiLumi LHC building at Point 1 has been named Route Marietta Blau.

Marietta Blau developed photographic nuclear emulsions that enabled the imaging and precise measurement of high-energy nuclear particles and their interactions, significantly advancing the field of particle physics in her time.

The Polish Permanent Mission in Geneva has rightfully drawn our attention to the fact that CERN’s Route Marie Curie should reflect the scientist’s full name and Polish heritage. The street has therefore been renamed Route Marie Skłodowska Curie.

Reinstating Route Albert Picot

In addition to the changes above, Route Albert Picot has been reinstated. Originally inaugurated in October 1969, the street was removed following the construction of Building 40 in the mid-1990s. The name has now been reintroduced in tribute to the Swiss politician who played an instrumental role in the selection of the Meyrin site in the early 1950s.

In parallel, the Site and Civil Engineering (SCE) Department will also replace signs that have become difficult to read and restore others that have disappeared over time.

Streets that currently have generic names on the French site will also be renamed in the coming months. They will honour more women scientists: Hildred Blewett, Emmy Noether, Bibha Chowdhuri and Maria Goeppert Mayer.