7 Best Places in France for Stargazing | EUROtoday

The night time skies have all the time drawn the human creativeness, particularly for artists, akin to Van Gogh, whose Starry Night Over the Rhone is particularly well-known for capturing the night time sky. In current years, vacationers are studying to lookup, maybe fueled by the will to flee the unreal lights of metropolis life. Those wishing to look as much as starry French skies, there are a number of International Dark Sky Reserve (International Dark Sky Reserves) across the nation, the place the Milky Way might be seen stretching over a star-studded sky.

1. Morvan Nature Reserve

Morvan is the newest nature reserve to be formally designated as a Dark Sky Reserve. It took 9 years to scale back gentle air pollution, working with scientists and communities within the reserve and bettering infrastructure that creates a really perfect setting for highlighting the night time sky. There are devoted remark spots, strolling and path routes by means of cultural sights, and it runs a number of nighttime actions and workshops, together with storytelling below the celebs for fanatics to really admire the night time sky in Morvan.

2. Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park

While it’s potential to easily sit within the reserve to view the celebs within the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park, curious guests can spend their evenings with native astronomy golf equipment to study extra in regards to the preservation of the night time sky and occasions to lift consciousness of sunshine air pollution. A nighttime stroll or a mild paddle alongside the Leyre, by means of the wild landscapes of Gironde and Landes, reveals an evening sky framed by towering forests and dotted with hidden artworks.

3. Regional Natural Park of Millevaches

A lesser-known nature park however no much less vital in terms of the fantastically darkish night time sky is the Regional Natural Park of Millevaches in Limousin. Located on the foothills of the Massif Central, recognized for Lake Vassivière and the encircling setting with peat bogs, moors, forests, and meadows so pristine that the world is called ‘Little Canada’. On a transparent, brilliant night time, the celebs above are mirrored throughout the huge expanse of the lakes, a scene that’s simply as spectacular as a Van Gogh portray.

4. Pic du Midi

France’s first ever Dark Sky Reserve deserves its place on high for a cause.

This mountainous darkish sky spot not solely has its personal large-scale observatory for some critical stargazing alternatives, however additionally it is a scientific middle for darkish sky analysis. At the Pic du Midi, stargazing blends a shimmering, star-filled sky with the majestic define of the Pyrenees, making a view not like another.

5. Regional Natural Park Vercors

Vercors is an space recognized for its towering limestone cliffs, lush inexperienced valleys and wealthy sporting tradition heritage; it is an out of doors fanatic’s playground. Naturally, because the day fades into night time, this adrenaline-fueled nature turns into the backdrop for the splashes of stars throughout its panorama. In summer time, the regional park gives guided stargazing experiences within the Rimets Fossil Valley, led by knowledgeable astronomers who share their data of the celebs and planets as you look ahead to capturing stars.

6. Cevennes National Park

Nestled between the departments of Lozère, Gard, Ardèche, and Aveyron, Cévennes naturally has much less gentle air pollution for the perfect setting to admire the night time sky. The deep valleys among the many rugged mountains and excessive plateau make the panorama extra dramatic at night time, including to the expertise of star sighting like stepping right into a fairytale the place the night time sky summons magical creatures of the encircling nature.

7. Alpes Azur Mercantour

Shaped by a procession of peaks that slowly dissolve into the ocean, the Southern Alps provide a wide ranging pure stage for the night time sky, one which has drawn astronomers for the reason that nineteenth century. From the historic observatory of Mont Mounier to the brand new observatory opening in Valberg in January 2026, quickly to turn out to be France’s largest planetarium, this timeless panorama continues to ask each scientists and stargazers to review the celebs beneath its huge, darkish skies.

Lead picture credit score: Landes de Gascogne Photo: Yohan Terraza