Grand tour with a visit to the PSI research facilities

Would you like to organise a group tour? We offer customised tours for groups of 12 participants and more. These tours are free of charge and should be booked approx. 4 weeks in advance. Subject to confirmation by the Visitor Centre team, this offer is available from Monday to Friday. The latest start for a big tour is 4 pm. All of our tours are free of charge.

The latest start for a grand tour is 4 pm.

Booking form
Visitor group
Visitor group

After an overview presentation on the Institute's activities, 13 interactive theme islands in the exhibition invite you to familiarise yourself with the main areas of research in greater depth.

The subsequent tour will take you to our research facilities. You will be accompanied by a PSI expert.

The offer is suitable for groups of 12 to 50 people. The tour is offered in German, English or French (other languages by arrangement).

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Are you interested in a grand tour, but are still undecided as to which topic is best suited to your group?

PSI has several large-scale research facilities where experiments are carried out that are not possible in smaller laboratories. All of these large-scale facilities are unique in Switzerland; in fact, some of them can only be found at PSI worldwide. In addition, the PSI operates the ESI platform (ESI stands for "Energy System Integration"), an experimental platform where promising concepts for the energy system of the future are tested.

You can experience how these complex systems are operated and which applications are being researched on a tour in a unique environment. There are various tours to choose from.

We would also be happy to advise you personally: call us on +41 56 310 21 00 or write to us at visitorcenter@psi.ch

The SLS accelerator ring.

Large-scale research facilities at the PSI West site

Large-scale research facilities make it possible to look into tiny objects. These gymnasium-sized facilities work in a similar way to giant microscopes, which can be used to look deep into materials. Thanks to these deep views, information can be obtained about the structure and properties of a wide variety of materials. PSI operates several such facilities at the PSI West site. They are used, for example, in research into computer memories, superconductors, protein molecules and archaeological finds. 

Participants must be at least 16 years old.
Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours

Gantry 3 – the new treatment unit for proton therapy at PSI. A staff member of PSI demonstrates the patient positioning. Standing: Prof. Damien Weber, head of the Centre for Proton Therapy at the Paul Scherrer Institute. (Photo: Scanderbeg Sauer Photography)

The Centre for Proton Therapy

The systems developed by PSI specialists for the treatment of certain types of cancer are unique in the world. Their irradiation technology uses the advantages of protons and optimally protects the healthy environment of the tumour.

The tour of proton therapy is only possible from 4 p.m. onwards and by arrangement with the visitor centre due to patient operations. The tour is possible from the age of 16.

Changes may occur at short notice due to patient operation.

Duration: 2 - 2.5 hours

Energy System Integration Platform

Energy and environmental research

With the increasing expansion of photovoltaic and wind power plants, the integration of irregularly generated electricity into the existing energy system is becoming a challenge. With the ESI platform (ESI stands for "Energy System Integration"), PSI provides research and industry with an experimental platform on which promising solutions can be tested in their complex interrelationships.

At the moment we can only organise this tour for groups of up to 30 people.
Duration: 2 - 2.5 hours

Cutting-edge research in the forest of Würenligen - the SwissFEL.

The SwissFEL large-scale facility

The very short pulses of X-ray light with laser properties generated here make it possible to follow extremely fast processes such as the formation of new molecules in chemical reactions or to determine the detailed structure of vital proteins. The findings expand our understanding of nature and lead to practical applications such as new medicines, more efficient processes in the chemical industry or new materials in electronics.

The SwissFEL tour is open to visitors aged 16 and over.
Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours

Get to know PSI

Are you still undecided? Then why not book our grand tour Get to know PSI.

This tour will give you an overview of the PSI and the fascinating research carried out here. Understand why so many different research facilities are needed and what is being researched with them. Visit selected PSI research facilities and experience research live.

This tour is the ideal introduction to the PSI and its research.

The tour is open to visitors aged 16 and over.
Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours

Visitor group in the Swiss Light Source SLS.

PSI Visitor Center
Paul Scherrer Institute
Forschungsstrasse 111
5232 Villigen PSI
Switzerland

+41 56 310 21 00
visitorcenter@psi.ch