The border crossing in front of CERN

Border crossing in front of CERN

Just beyond the main entrance, the road in front of CERN crosses from Switzerland to France at an important border station.  CERN is not just international in its political status and spirit, it is physically international: the main site straddles the two countries.  In its early years CERN was entirely within Switzerland, but only just barely.  Later expansion now puts most of its area in France.  Still, outside of limited weekday hours the only entrance is from Switzerland, and many employees and users from other countries choose to live in France. The international border has kept the “French suburbs” of Geneva, which surround the city on three sides, distinctly less developed. Because of this, housing can be cheaper and distinctly easier to find on the French side of the border (though prices have been equalizing over time and apartment searches are still not without their frustrations).  So for many the everyday the commute requires a border crossing.  This was the situation I was in a few years back.
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