In 1957, largely due to the influence of Frédéric and Irène Joliot-Curie, the Institut de physique nucléaire (nuclear physics institute) was opened in the Chevreuse valley, and the region, especially Orsay, became an important scientific centre.
Tahun 1957, karena pengaruh Frédéric dan Irène Joliot-Curie, Institut de physique nucléaire (institut fisika nuklir) dibuka di lembah Chevreuse, dan region itu, khususnya Orsay, menjadi pusat ilmiah penting.