This information is maintained and updated at http://www.tcd.ie/Physics/Events/Paris_meeting.php

A one-day meeting on the history of physics will take place on Saturday 18 September in ESPCI, rue Vauquelin Paris, in the heart of the Latin Quarter, redolent with the memory of many historic physicists. The relevant boards of both the Institute of Physics (London) and the European Physical Society will participate. Distinguished speakers will address the main themes: science museums and outreach and the life of Néel and 20th C materials science, particularly in France.

On Sunday afternoon there will be opportunities to join one or more groups to make informal visits or tours in Paris, relating to history of science.

There is no charge for this meeting, and all are welcome, subject to a simple registration procedures: email to [email protected], with “Paris History Conference” as subject.

It is hoped that it will create a precedent for further joint meetings of these and other committees throughout Europe. Suggestions may be sent to the above email address.

There are many hotels (typically 3-star, 110 euro) in the area, particularly along rue Monge. Preliminary enquiries have indicated that they may be busy at this time, so participants are advised to book early. But in case of difficulty, hotels further away are easily reached by metro from this central location in Paris 5. Here are some suggestions of nearby hotels: Hotel St Christophe (Rue Lacepède, near Place Monge). Hotel Monge, Hotel des Nations St Germain (on rue Monge also), Hotel des Grandes Ecoles (near Place Monge, Hotel de Senlis (nearer to Luxembourg metro), Hotel des Alliees (very basic, inexpensive, very near ESPCI).

Arrival Depending on precisely where you stay, the RER train will take you from CDG airport to St Michel in three quarters of an hour. There you may transfer to metro lines to Cardinal Lemoine, Place Monge or Censier Daubenton (nearest to ESPCI),or just walk 15 minutes from St Michel or go on to Luxembourg and walk down towards rue Monge etc, or go on to Port Royal for Hotel des Alliees.

We are most grateful to ESPCI for facilitating this meeting. During the meeting we will use and learn about their new Espace des Sciences, a specially designed centre for outreach activities, to be formally opened later in the year. Entente Cordiale Scientifique

A Joint Open Meeting of the IOP and EPS Committees for the History of Physics Paris, 18th September 2004

Saturday 18

Location: ESPCI, rue Vauquelin, Paris 5

9:45 Welcome D Weaire

MUSEUMS AND OUTREACH, 2005

10:00 E Guyon (Paris) The role of science museums 10:40 N Brown (London) Science museums

11:10 Coffee Break

11:30 J Treiner (Paris) History of Physics in Education 12:00 D Hoffmann (Berlin) Einstein and 2005

12:40 Lunch Break

NEEL and the French tradition in magnetism and materials

14:00 M Coey (Dublin) Louis Néel’s Life and Times 14:40 R Cahn (Cambridge) Physics and Materials: a confluence?

16:10 Tea Break

16:30 O Darrigol (Paris) 17:10 Closing discussion 17:30 Close

Sunday 19th

10:00 Committee Meetings, venues to be decided

14:00 Walking tours, museum visits…