Celestial contemplation on the Côte d'Azur

If you’re looking for a peaceful place to gaze up at the stars, the Alpes Azur Mercantour region is the place to go! The Mercantour National Park has recently joined the exclusive club of astronomical observatories and national and regional nature parks that protect their skies from light pollution. An exceptional place to discover on the Côte d’Azur.

Have you heard of the International Starry Sky Reserve label?

Covering an area of 2,300 km² in 75 communes, the Mercantour National Park Reserve offers the opportunity to observe more than 3,000 stars.

The exceptional quality of the site’s starry skies and the fact that they are used for scientific, educational, cultural and tourist purposes has earned it the prestigious International Starry Sky Reserve label.

The reserve includes a central zone where natural darkness is preserved as far as possible.

An international label committed to reducing light pollution

This label commits local players to taking action to preserve the site and reduce light pollution. Reasoned lighting is used to preserve the site’s biodiversity. The negative impact of artificial light not only reduces the perception of stars in the sky, but also has consequences for flora and fauna. Among other things, it disrupts the orientation, migration, reproduction and pollination of species. It also changes their perception of day and night. Practical solutions have already been put in place and studies have been launched to protect this ecosystem in the long term.

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The Côte d’Azur, land of astronomy!

From the heights of Mont Mounier or Nice, via the Cime de l’Aspre, the Col de la Bonette-Restefond or the Vallon de la Moutière, this exceptional land offers ideal conditions for professional and amateur astronomers alike, for their research, discovery, awareness-raising and educational activities. In the Préalpes d’Azur, the Calern Astronomical Observatory is one of the last astronomical observation sites dedicated to research still active in mainland France. It is now protected as an “exceptional astronomical observation site”. The Nice Observatory, founded in 1881, has a remarkable scientific, historical and natural heritage. Built by Charles Garnier, it houses the largest mobile dome in Europe, designed by Gustave Eiffel.

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Starry walks and planetary landscapes to discover

Spurred on by a photographer with a passion for astronomy who wanted to make the most of his night-time shots, the Villages under the stars project now includes municipalities in the south of the RICE Alpes Azur Mercantour. Among them, 13 have been recognised for their efforts to modify their public lighting to make it easier to observe the sky, thanks to the Villes et villages étoilés (Starry towns and villages) competition organised by theNational Association for the Protection of the Sky and the Night-time Environment.

If you’re dreaming of stargazing on a beautiful summer’s night, the Coupoles Ouvertes Night is for you! The programme includes fun and scientific activities for children, talks for families and a chance to discover the sky with the region’s amateur astronomers at the Observatoire du Plateau de Calern. There’s nothing better than a hike to contemplate the beauty of nature and the splendour of the sky!

From the Mercantour to the Porquerolles islands, via the Verdon, the Estérel, the Alpes d’Azur and the Maures massif, these are the promise of a family trip in the fresh air, to discover the planets and astronomy.