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.”
- 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
