Night at the Saint-Véran Observatory

Reservations are required for this unforgettable experience: a night at the Saint-Véran Paul Felenbok Observatory to discover the starry sky!

The observatory has only eight places and two rooms, it is better to book several months in advance.
And if the weather report does not really allow the observation of the sky, the organizers of the Observatory will contact you the day before. But here it is still the Queyras so the weather is spoiled, the sky is blue all year long.

A tip: a good night's sleep before going there will not be a luxury. Oh yes, take a good down jacket and a hat even in summer! Up there at 3000 meters, it's freezing! But also sunglasses and water for the climb and your picnic for dinner.

When you arrive up there, the scientific animators welcome you with the warmth and enthusiasm of true enthusiasts. In the small rooms with only 4 beds, you will be comfortable.
Everyone brings his or her own evening meal and everyone eats together in a friendly atmosphere. In addition, everything is provided on the spot: plates, cutlery, what to warm up your picnic (gas stove, oven, microwave, fondue machine).

And the science in all this? First of all, the visit of the installations: telescopes, astronomical missions, various calculators, energy autonomy and ecological construction, everything is there. Before the Sun goes down behind a 3000 meters high summit, it's the solar observation with the telescope and sketches of the sky map with the first stars. Then, after the meal, when it is dark, it is the big game. A dome which shelters the telescope of 620 mm (it is big, very big!) will be visited, then the scientific mediator will become a storyteller of stars, will make you observe the deep sky, the star clusters, the planets. In the early morning, observation of the famous "green ray", magical at sunrise on the mountain.

Minimum age 14 in winter.
8 years minimum in summer.
minors must be accompanied by a parent or adult.
It is important to note that in winter access is by snowshoe or ski touring. It is essential to prepare your snowshoeing or ski-touring itinerary well, and to have marked it before going up, for example by looking for a GPX trace, and to consult the avalanche risk bulletin. Allow 5 to 6 hours for the ascent (or 1 hour with the lifts, from December 23 to March 24).
Dogs are not allowed on site.

Show less