CEA Limeil-Valenton has embarked in a project called 'laser megajoule' (LMJ) consisting of the construction of a 2-MJ/500- TW (351-nm) pulsed Nd:glass laser and devoted to inertial confinement fusion research in France. Room temperature and atmospheric pressure deposited sol-gel coatings for antireflective (AR), highly reflective (HR) and polarizer uses, and silicone films for environmental protection have displayed remarkable optical and laser strength performance. Such coatings can be applied onto large area and at a low cost compared to conventional vacuum deposition techniques. CEA Limeil-Valenton is also maintaining sustained efforts to promote the sol-gel technology in other areas.