At a time when our ecological awareness is waking up, when it is established that future generations will not know the same flora and fauna, know that stars disappear too...
Of course, stars are always there, but the light and atmospheric pollution from our cities prevents us from admiring them. Our "starry sky" is becoming increasingly empty and dull, at least in our eyes. Unless you live in the Alps or out in the countryside, it is highly likely that the few bright points we can still see above our heads will soon no longer be visible to the naked eye.
Yet in summer, this motionless night sky is dotted with tracing fireflies, and you don't need to be keen on astronomy to appreciate the beauty of this show, graciously offered every year to us little earthlings.
You can take part in the activities offered, but you can also simply bring a blanket, drinks, anti-mosquito repellent... and as a family go looking for the darkest place possible. We set up with the children and we wait... We wait for the eyes to get used to the darkness; the more that happens, the more stars you will see.
A few simple constellations that you print and that you will have to find on the site you have chosen; for the older ones, a planisphere (about €10), a small lamp... if you have binoculars they will let you see more fixed stars, but over a more limited area.
Games: whoever sees the most shooting stars will have won, drawing in the sky with your finger to find the Great Bear... and stories, lots of stories... the atmosphere is right for it. Think about bringing a little imagination (an essential tool for parents), offer the sky to your children and don't forget that every shooting star makes a wish!
The peaks of the Nights of the Stars will take place on 7, 8 and 9 August 2026, but as every year they are observed throughout the month of August.
The theme of the 2026 edition of the Nights of the Stars, organized by the French Association of Astronomy, will be devoted to our star, the Sun, and will also be an opportunity to start the countdown to the great partial eclipse of 12 August.
A friendly evening organized with the CADE and the Barbenais Astroclub, with a toast of friendship, shared picnic and sky observation (subject to favorable weather).
Saturday 22 August - Night of the Stars in Alleins
From 7 p.m. to midnight • The Aires du Moulin in Alleins
Warning: The observatory and the planetarium are closed from 1 to 24 August 2026.
Copernic Club event Fréjus-Saint Raphaël
Sunday 9 August 2026 from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Esplanade du Bachaga Boualam bd Gal De Gaulle 83700 St-Raphaël
>Info
The Astronomy Center is a departmental facility installed on the Plateau du Moulin à Vent, in the heart of a natural area of ten hectares. A few steps from the village of Saint-Michel l'Observatoire, it offers a privileged setting in a park that is entirely enclosed, where groves of green oaks and meadows alternate, making it an exceptional site dedicated to discovering astronomy and observing the starry sky. It is labeled "Night Station" by the AFA (French Association of Astronomy).
The complete summer program for astro at Saint-Michel l'Observatoire: www.centre-astro.com
Here are the highlights organized in the region to observe it
