Strengthening Digital Sovereignty: Inauguration of “Lucy”, the Photonic Quantum Computer at CEA’s TGCC

Anne Le Hénanff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, and Bruno Bonnell, Secretary General for Investment, today inaugurated the Lucy quantum computer. Procured by EuroHPC through GENCI as part of the EuroQCS-France consortium, and co-funded under France 2030’s national quantum strategy, it is hosted at CEA’s Très Grand Centre de Calcul (TGCC). Based on photonic technology developed by Quandela, with cryogenic systems supplied by its German partner Attocube, this new machine is the most powerful of its kind, marking a decisive milestone for the European ecosystem. Coupled with the Joliot-Curie supercomputer, Lucy is now freely accessible to research and industry stakeholders to tackle major scientific challenges.

Bruyères-le-Châtel, 14th April 2026 – Lucy, inaugurated today by Anne Le Hénanff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, is the world’s most powerful quantum computer based on photonic technology. It is now coupled with the GENCI Joliot-Curie¹ supercomputer, hosted and operated by the CEA at the TGCC. This hybrid “HPC-Quantum” architecture combines the computing power of classical high-performance computing with quantum processors, which function as accelerators to solve complex problems. This hybrid approach is central to Europe’s strategy to explore the potential of quantum computing. The system is now freely available to European academic and industrial users, who can submit research projects spanning logistics optimisation, machine learning, materials simulation, and the discovery of therapeutic molecules.

A sovereign quantum capacity at the heart of TGCC

Lucy is built by the Franco-European consortium formed by Quandela and Attocube, illustrating a strategic Franco-German industrial collaboration for the European quantum sector. Produced at Quandela’s facilities in Massy, near Paris, it expands the existing range of computing resources available at TGCC. Procured by EuroHPC Joint Undertaking as part of the EuroQCS-France consortium via GENCI, the system is based exclusively on European technological components. Its deployment under France’s national quantum strategy (HQI programme, France 2030) highlights the dynamism and expertise of French stakeholders while while supporting the competitiveness of the European ecosystem.

Photonics: a credible path to industrial deployment

Photonic technology, which uses light as the carrier of quantum information, is considered one of the most promising approaches for scaling quantum systems to industrial use. Unlike architectures that require processors to operate at temperatures close to absolute zero, photonics enables easier manipulation of qubits and smoother integration into existing data centre infrastructures.

Anne-Isabelle Étienvre, Chairwoman of the CEA:

“With Lucy, CEA is turning its long-standing commitment to quantum technologies into concrete reality. From pioneering work on early qubit development within our fundamental research teams — recognised at the highest level in recent years — to the deployment of advanced systems at TGCC, we are demonstrating the strength of an integrated research-to-operations model. This continuity allows us to turn scientific breakthroughs into sovereign industrial capabilities. Lucy is now available to our researchers, as well as to the wider European scientific and industrial community, to help push the boundaries of computing.”

Michaël Krajecki, CEO of GENCI:

“With Lucy, the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, CEA and GENCI are delivering a unique sovereign hybrid quantum computing capability to European and French scientific and industrial communities. Freely available, Lucy is a pioneering sovereign resource for research and innovation. Powered by photonic technology from Quandela and hosted at TGCC, it brings the industrial scaling of the quantum era closer than ever. This is a major milestone for France and for Europe.”

Niccolo Somaschi, co-foudner and CEO of Quandela:

“With Lucy, we are reaching a major milestone in the industrialization of photonic quantum computing in Europe. Its installation at the TGCC and coupling with the Joliot-Curie supercomputer provide concrete evidence of our ambition: to bring about a sovereign, high-performance quantum capability that is accessible to both researchers and industry. This project is also the result of close cooperation with our German partner attocube, and fully embodies the Franco-German partnership in support of European technological sovereignty. This inauguration shows that cutting-edge quantum technologies designed and manufactured in Europe can already be integrated into the most advanced computing infrastructures to address high-impact scientific and industrial use cases.”

Anders Dam Jensen, Executive Director of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking:

“Lucy is the fourth EuroHPC quantum computer to be inaugurated. It brings new quantum capabilities to Europe’s supercomputing ecosystem and marks another important milestone for our technological sovereignty. By bringing together quantum and high-performance computing, EuroHPC JU is enabling researchers and industry to tackle complex challenges and unlock new opportunities for innovation across strategic sectors.”

1. Replaced in 2027 by Alice Recoque, the European exascale supercomputer that will combine HPC, AI, and quantum technologies for the academic and industrial communities.

About CEA

CEA is a public research organisation in France. It supports public decision-making and provides French and European companies, as well as public authorities, with scientific and technological capabilities to address four major societal transitions: energy, digital transformation, future healthcare, and defence and security. Its mission is to help ensure French and European leadership in science, technology and industry, while contributing to a safer, more controlled present and future for all. For more information: http://www.cea.fr

About GENCI

GENCI (Grand Équipement National de Calcul Intensif) was created by the French government in 2007. It is a major research infrastructure and public operator dedicated to democratising access to numerical simulation through high-performance computing (HPC), combined with artificial intelligence and emerging quantum computing technologies, in order to strengthen French scientific and industrial competitiveness.

GENCI pursues three main missions:

• Implement the national strategy for high-performance computing, data storage and processing infrastructure, including AI and future quantum computing technologies, in support of open scientific research in France and Europe, relying on the country’s three national computing centres;
• Support the development of an integrated national and European ecosystem;
• Promote numerical simulation and high-performance computing among academic and industrial research teams engaged in open science.

GENCI is a civil company owned 49% by the French State (represented by the Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Space), 20% by CEA, 20% by CNRS, 10% by French universities represented by France Universités, and 1% by Inria.

About Quandela

Quandela is a leading quantum computing company that designs, builds, and delivers cutting-edge quantum solutions for industry: ready-to-use quantum computers for data centres, cloud-accessible quantum processors, and algorithm access services for industrial clients. Quandela is committed to making quantum computing accessible to all in order to address the most complex industrial and societal challenges. Discover our vision at www.quandela.com

Quandela was honored with the 2026 Future Unicorn Award by DIGITALEUROPE, recognizing its leadership in photonic quantum computing, deployment of five quantum computers across Europe and North America, and launch of Europe’s first open-source quantum cloud. The award highlights Quandela’s contribution to Europe’s innovation ecosystem and digital sovereignty. The Future Unicorn Award jury included representatives from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund), among other European investment and innovation leaders.

Brussels, 25th February 2026 – Quandela was awarded the 2026 Future Unicorn Award by DIGITALEUROPE in recognition of its technological excellence and contribution to Europe’s innovation ecosystem. The award was presented during Masters of Digital 2026 (#MoD2026) in front of Europe’s digital and industrial leaders.

The Future Unicorn Award recognizes Europe’s most promising tech scale-ups and emphasizes the importance of supporting European innovation and digital resilience. Quandela was selected for its pioneering photonic quantum technology, the deployment of five quantum computers across Europe and North America, and the launch of Europe’s first open-source quantum cloud. These milestones provide researchers and industry with scalable quantum computing resources and a path toward fault-tolerant, energy-efficient quantum systems.

Quandela’s COO, Valérien Giesz received the award on behalf of the company. During the ceremony he commented “This recognition reflects the dedication, expertise, and vision of our teams. Europe has the scientific talent and industrial depth to lead in quantum computing, and at Quandela, we are committed to turning this potential into real-world impact.”

The Future Unicorn Award jury comprised leaders from Europe’s investment and innovation ecosystem, including the European Investment Bank (EIB), European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund), Bridgepoint Group, Invest Europe, Temasek, DIGITALEUROPE, and Atomico.

Other finalists for the Future Unicorn Award included Canatu and Sparrow Quantum. Sateliot, meanwhile, was the winner of the Dual‑Use Technology Award.

About Quandela

Quandela develops and deploys photonic quantum computers designed for real-world environments, with room-temperature operation, data-center compatibility, and a full software stack for programming and running workloads via cloud and on-prem access. Beyond hardware, Quandela works with corporations, research teams, and public institutions to identify, prototype, and integrate quantum use cases through training, technical support, and joint pilot projects. Founded in Europe, Quandela pursues a progressive path from usable systems to fault-tolerant quantum computing.

At the international Adopt AI event in Paris, Quandela and OVHcloud announce a strategic initiative to bring closer AI and quantum computing thanks to MerLin, Quandela’s quantum machine learning environment. This collaboration will enable researchers and companies to prototype and simulate hybrid models on NVIDIA GPUs before testing them on Quandela’s photonic quantum computers, directly accessible from OVHcloud’s cloud platform.

Paris, Roubaix (France), November 25, 2025 – Quandela, European leader in photonic quantum computing, and OVHcloud, a major European cloud provider, announce that MerLin – the first programming language and environment dedicated to quantum machine learning – will be made available on OVHcloud’s platform starting mid-2026. This unified approach will accelerate the development of hybrid applications within a sovereign cloud environment.

A bridge between AI and quantum

Unveiled in summer 2025, MerLin lays the groundwork for a new generation of Quantum Machine Learning (QML) tools, integrated into standard AI frameworks such as PyTorch and scikit-learn.
Now, thanks to its integration into the OVHcloud platform, users will be able to design, simulate, and test their hybrid AI-Quantum neural networks in a unified cloud environment powered by NVIDIA GPUs, a shared partner of both companies.

This approach will accelerate the development of industrial quantum applications: users will first be able to run their simulations on GPUs, then test and validate their models on Quandela’s photonic quantum computers, hosted and operated within OVHcloud.

A clear quantum roadmap

As part of this partnership, OVHcloud has published its quantum roadmap, announcing that Quandela’s quantum computers will become available on its cloud platform in mid-2026. The first systems to be offered will be BELENOS, a 12-qubit photonic processor, and CANOPUS, a 24-qubit photonic processor.

This deployment will be a major milestone in integrating quantum computing into the cloud, paving the way for democratized and sovereign access to European quantum power.

“This partnership with OVHcloud perfectly embodies our vision: to make quantum accessible and useful for AI experts. With MerLin, we provide a seamless environment – from GPU to quantum processor – allowing the exploration of new hybrid algorithms and accelerating the journey from concept to real-world application,” says Jean Senellart, Chief Product Officer at Quandela.

“With MerLin, data scientists finally have an accessible framework that does not require quantum computing skills – an actual tool that democratizes its use for the most innovative function in companies: data science,” says Fanny Bouton, Quantum Lead and Product Manager at OVHcloud.

Toward a sovereign European quantum cloud

By combining their expertise – photonics and hybrid algorithms for Quandela, cloud and sovereign infrastructure for OVHcloud, GPU acceleration for NVIDIA – the two partners are laying the foundations of a competitive and open European quantum ecosystem. An ecosystem expected to foster the emergence of hybrid applications in fields such as cybersecurity, finance, energy, healthcare, and logistics.