The 9 best places to watch stars in France

Astronomy and outdoor enthusiasts, here are the 9 best sites to watch stars in France. Prepare to be amazed!

These spots are known to observe the stars in France. They are breathtaking and will make you live bright and unforgettable nights. Let yourself be pierced by the lactated path and turn the stars into your eyes. At a time when many of us live in urban areas, where light pollution is everywhere, a black sky with stars is often foreign to us. However, constellations are well there. Behind the halos of our lamps and light panels, they have been scintillating for millions of years.

In reality, it is enough to get away a bit to see them from their own eyes and to get back into the legends inspired by these diamond trails. Your dazzled pins are their only powerful tools to contemplate the stars. Their astonishment, their blue or shimmering nuances, some mythical constellations, are quite visible to the naked eye. Of course, a heavenly walk with twins will only be more fascinating. And with a telescope, it’s the peak! We then access an invisible universe. Get your map out of the sky and read our little guide. Here are the 9 best places to watch stars in France.

1. Le Pic du Midi de Bigorre

The High Pyrenees are naturally a favourite place to admire the sky. Just because this region is home to many natural areas in altitude. No light pollution and excellent sunshine thanks to the height make the mountain a fabulous place to contemplate the firmament.

The Pic du Midi de Bigorre is a perfect place for those who want to spend a fairytale night, almost three thousand meters above sea level. When the chain Pyrenees disappears in the dark night, after the clutch of the twilight, magic continues to operate. Since 2013, he has been known as France's "International Star Sky Reserve". This label is held only by twelve places in the world. There, everything is thought out to welcome astronomy enthusiasts. Hotel, observatory, planetarium, cable car, everything is planned for an exceptional night.

2. The Quercy Black Triangle

Want to watch the sky in France? Scientists and specialists like to call this place: the place where the night sky remains black. In the Parc National des Causses du Quercy , located in the Lot, discover the black triangle. The sky is dazzling purity. The shine of the stars is absolute. This phenomenon is possible thanks to the collective effort of the communities labeled cities and star villages.

These thirty-two towns stretch all their lights after midnight. The light of the stars then arrives to the marvelous eyes. Three villages have plots designed to accommodate the stars: Limogne-en-Quercy, Reilhac and Carlucet. Some nearby accommodations even make observation equipment available to guests.

3. L’Observatoire de Saint-Véran

The Hautes-Alpes houses a small exceptional village named Saint-Véran. This little jewel that counts among the most beautiful and the highest villages in our country. It is also a fabulous starting point for a race at the firmament.

From the historic centre, walk to one of the best French sites to observe the stars: the observatory of Saint-Véran (three hours of hiking). You thus arrive at the heart of Queyras National Park, perched at three miles above sea level. Inaugurated in 1974, this place offers nights discovered, open to a limited number of visitors. It offers an astronomical animation, an observation of the stars with professionals and even workshops.

4. Observatoire des Baronnies provençales

Here is another place to watch the stars in France, also located in the Hautes-Alpes: the observatory of the Provencal Baronnies. Here, sleep again under the Milky Way that unfolds effortlessly from its thick black coat.

This plebiscity site is protected from light pollution by an official decree. No wonder, therefore, that it is a place of choice for astronomical tourism. Everything is planned for you to take advantage of the star-filled opaque sky: observation cupolas, small lodges in the middle of nature, observatory visit, giant telescope. Neophytes or professionals are welcome in this temple of astronomy.

5. Radome Park in Pleumeur-Bodou

Brittany is among the regions where the dark sky persists and reborns every night. Indeed, many Breton spaces remain wild and totally impregnated in nature. To watch the stars in France, go to the Côtes d’Armor and board for a night at the star. The park of the Radôme in Pleumeur-Bodou offers observation evenings with sharp material available to enthusiasts or simple curious.

It is true, the weather is less certain than in the southern half of France. However, if you fall at the right time, these nights under the stars will remain engraved in your memories. Then, in case of charged sky, the planetarium will still offer you fabulous immersive shows. Under a dome of twenty meters in diameter, the sky and the firmament scroll in high definition and lead you to the discovery of the universe.

6. The Cevennes National Park

Leave the ground to discover the infinity of the starry vault in the heart of the Cevennes. This second “Started Sky Reserve” of the Hexagon is famous in all Europe. She invites you to observe the stars in France throughout the year. But also during dazzling interactive events and night observation at the edges of clear plateaus.

In this national park, everything is preserved: the natural darkness of the night, the purity of the lacquered path, the immensity of the landscapes and the nightlife. Here, only your eyes are sufficient to admire the constellations. If its precious label gives it a crucial role for science, astronomy lovers are also welcomed with open arms. So plant your tent in the middle of nature and let magic work.

Otherwise, go to the Pises Observatory which, perched at more than a thousand meters above sea level, offers a transparent atmosphere and a beautiful sunshine. With its observation terrace, this place of choice for astronomical research invites everyone to discover the heavens.

7. The Observatory of Rocbaron

Push the doors of the Rocbaron Observatory, located in the Vars and in the heart of green Provence. This is one of the first reserves of the starry sky in which to observe the stars in France.

Before the dark night falls on you, why not observe the sun and its fascinating plasma ejections? Then board for an enchanted heavenly journey. You are the privileged witnesses of the universe. This place protected from light pollution fuels the dreams of small and great dreamers. Your immersive experience in the heavens is magnified by the great astronomical bezel. Within the reach of all, this reversing instrument is one of the largest in Europe!

8. Morvan Regional Natural Park

Here is one of the few areas where stars in France are located in the north. The Morvan Regional Natural Park, in Burgundy, has all the reasons to be listed. During the summer, many events celebrate the sky at the top of Mount Beuvray.

Although this massif belongs to the low-mountain category, this region is ideal because it is clear of urban luminous halos. Many political and economic actors have even gathered together so that Morvan can obtain the prestigious label of "International Star Sky Reserve". This vast territory of mountains, forests and wild meadows offer you unheard of heavenly journeys. Dive into the universe, become spectators of grandiose planets, nebula and legendary constellations.

9. Shut up

La Ferme des Étoiles is a site of the Gers, in the small village of Mauroux, nestled in the hollow of green vallons. Behind these shy folds, hides the majestic chain of the Pyrenees. La Ferme des Étoiles makes an astronomical look at the famous pyrenean peak spots. However, even at lower altitude, it was able to stand out from its exceptional environment. This site has become ideal to observe the stars in France thanks to its fabulous equipment.

It hosts astronomical, aeronautical and even space courses recognized. It has accommodations in full nature, enchanters, in order to fully enjoy the show. Do you know that the Ferme des Étoiles was chosen by France Télévision for the filming of "The Night of the Stars"?

So, what is your favorite place to watch stars in France?