France Acquires Alice & Bob Cat-Qubit Quantum Computer for National Research Infrastructure

Insider Brief

• GENCI and Alice & Bob have signed an agreement for France to acquire an 18-cat-qubit quantum computer, marking the first deployment of a cat-qubit quantum system worldwide.
• The system will be installed at the TGCC and integrated with the Joliot-Curie supercomputer, with user access expected to begin in 2027.
• The project is part of France’s National Quantum Strategy and aims to support research into quantum error correction and hybrid HPC-quantum computing workflows.

PRESS RELEASE — Following the announcements made by the President of the French Republic on 22 May at the CEA’s Très Grand Centre de Calcul (TGCC) regarding the second phase of France’s National Quantum Strategy (SNQ), GENCI (Grand Équipement National de Calcul Intensif) and French quantum computing company Alice & Bob signed an agreement at VivaTech on 17 June, in the presence of representatives of the French government, for France’s acquisition of an 18-cat-qubit quantum computer.

This marks the world’s first acquisition of a quantum computer based on cat-qubit technology. The system is part of the National Quantum Strategy under the France 2030 investment plan. The quantum computer will be hosted at the TGCC and integrated with GENCI’s Joliot-Curie supercomputer. Expected to be accessible to users in 2027, the system will strengthen the strategic autonomy of France and Europe while enhancing their scientific and technological competitiveness.

This quantum computer is the first so-called “early Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computer” (eFTQC) to be installed in a European computing centre. Developed by Alice & Bob, the technology offers a major advantage: it natively corrects one of the two primary sources of quantum noise, known as bit-flip errors. This technological feature dramatically reduces, compared with other architectures, the number of physical qubits required to build high-performance logical qubits. As a result, it provides a natural bridge to next-generation fault-tolerant quantum computers.

From 2027, the system will join the Ruby and Lucy quantum computers already installed at the CEA’s TGCC facility in Bruyères-le-Châtel, where it will also be hybridised with GENCI’s Joliot-Curie supercomputer. At a later stage, it will be integrated with the European exascale supercomputer Alice Recoque, acquired by EuroHPC JU, creating a hybrid platform delivering state-of-the-art computing services across high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.

As France prepares to access two 1,024-qubit universal quantum computing prototypes by 2032 through the PROQCIMA programme of the National Quantum Strategy, led by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, this first eFTQC system will enable users to familiarise themselves with quantum error correction and anticipate its impact on quantum computing workflows, while identifying potential applications for the technology.

Like all GENCI-operated systems—including HPC, AI and quantum computing infrastructure hosted and operated within France’s national computing centres—access to this eFTQC system will be provided free of charge to academic and industrial researchers conducting open research. Allocation requests will be managed through the EDARI platform.

The technology was acquired through a negotiated public procurement process and is funded entirely by the HQI – France Hybrid HPC Quantum Initiative programme, part of the National Quantum Strategy under France 2030.

The signing ceremony took place at VivaTech on the National Quantum Strategy stand. This year marks the fourth edition of the Quantum Zone, the largest space dedicated to quantum technologies at VivaTech. As VivaTech celebrates its 10th anniversary as one of Europe’s and the world’s leading technology events, the National Quantum Strategy also marks its fifth anniversary. The Quantum Zone brings together the major public and private stakeholders and programmes contributing to the success of France’s national quantum initiative.

Quotes

Michaël Krajecki, CEO of GENCI, said:

“The deployment in Europe of this first fault-tolerant quantum system represents a major milestone for French and European research. Starting next year, this pioneering technology, designed by Alice & Bob, will provide our researchers and industrial partners with a revolutionary tool to push the boundaries of hybrid computing, combining HPC and quantum technologies. Supported by the HQI programme, this investment strengthens both our strategic autonomy and scientific excellence. It is more than just a machine: it is a promise for European innovation, open from 2027 to all those who wish to help build the future. Above all, it will offer our users the opportunity to tackle the challenges of quantum error correction, a critical step towards tangible industrial applications.”

Anne-Isabelle Étienvre, General Administrator of the CEA, said:

“We are delighted to welcome this Alice & Bob machine to our facilities after several years of collaboration. The installation of this third HQI programme machine at the TGCC demonstrates our teams’ ability to host and operate some of the world’s most innovative computing systems. Bringing this quantum computer into operation will provide French and European research communities with cutting-edge technology on the path towards fault-tolerant quantum computing.”

Dr Théau Peronnin, Co-founder and CEO of Alice & Bob, said:

“Scientific breakthroughs realise their full value when they can be deployed in real-world environments. The partnership signed today with GENCI will help bring together a community of academic and industrial researchers working to develop the technology stack required for fault-tolerant quantum computing, while broadening access to next-generation quantum technologies.”