Pavillon de la source

What secrets does the Pavillon de la source hold? This unassuming building, part of the Institut du Radium, whispers stories of scientific breakthroughs and wartime heroism. The Pavillon de la source, designed by Henri-Paul Nénot, the architect of the Sorbonne, became an integral part of Marie Curie’s physics-chemistry laboratory. The Pavillon de la source wasn’t just a building. It was a hub of activity. Plans from 1912 reveal rooms dedicated to spectrometry, chemistry work, even a darkroom. Research continued here until the late 2000s. During the First World War, the Pavillon de la source became a lifeline for wounded soldiers. In 1916, Marie Curie established the “emanation service” within its walls. Here, from a single, precious gram of radium, 24 ampoules of radon were produced daily. These radioactive ampoules, shipped to military hospitals, became a vital tool for sterilizing wounds. From late 1918, Claudius Regaud, director of the Institut du Radium’s Pasteur Pavilion, pioneered their use in cancer treatment. These radon ampoules, multiplying treatment possibilities, became the cornerstone of the Fondation Curie, today’s Institut Curie. The Pavillon de la source stands as a testament to innovation born from necessity. It reminds us how scientific discovery, driven by compassion, can transform the face of medicine.