Physics Doctoral School

Les Houches School of Physics was originally a summer school founded in 1951 in Les Houches (Haute-Savoie) by the French physicist Cécile DeWitt-Morette. Here, leading names in physics train young researchers of all nationalities in the various fields of physics.

The school was initially set up to introduce modern physics to French students, who were lagging far behind in this field after the Second World War. Over the years, the School has opened up to scientific fields outside physics and set up new courses throughout the year. It offers sessions throughout the year, from January to November.

Several of its students have gone on to win prestigious awards such as the Nobel Prize in Physics and the Fields Medal.

Les Houches School of Physics offer three types of course :

• The Summer Schools: there are two summer schools lasting four to five weeks organised each year during the summer holidays. The sessions are aimed at young researchers of all nationalities with a high scientific level, often at the end of their thesis or post-doc. They enable them to deepen their knowledge or to learn about a new area of research. The teaching is given by prestigious professors, and each session includes a lecture for the general public.
• Conferences and workshops: these are one- to two-week sessions organised throughout the year. The sessions bring together researchers (theoreticians and/or experimenters, beginners and/or experienced researchers) to discuss a common theme, exchange knowledge and find new approaches.
• Doctoral courses: these bring together researchers who are just starting out, generally doctoral students or even Masters students. They enable them to acquire a high level of scientific culture so that they can place their work in a wider context.

Frontiers of Condensed Matter

The 10th international session of the ‘Frontiers of Condensed Matter’ summer school will take place in Les Houches, from 29 September to 9 October 2026.

More information to come in early 2026.