Marie Curie (1867-1934) is the most famous female scientist in the world. She discovered the radioactive elements radium and polonium and won two Nobel prizes: in physics (1903) and chemistry (1908). One of the three buildings that make up her laboratory in Paris where she carried out her work is, however, scheduled for demolition.

Demolishing Marie Curie’s laboratory will mean the loss of a site of international significance in the history of science and in the work of women scientists. Marie Curie and her work is of global importance and an inspiration for everyone - most especially women and girls. The place where she carried out her work should be heritage protected.

We call on France’s Ministry of Culture and the Curie Institute to preserve and protect Marie Curie’s laboratory, the Pavillion des Sources, and the associated lime and plane trees as a historic monument. The retention and preservation of this important site will benefit all generations, now and into the future.

The demolition was due to happen on Monday 8 Jan and was suspended by an eleventh-hour intervention by President Macron. Immediate action to protect the building is needed to permanently stop the demolition from going ahead.

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/jan/06/unthinkable-marie-curies-paris-lab-saved-from-the-bulldozers-for-now