OBSERVATOIRE DE BORDEAUX
The Observatory of Bordeaux was founded in 1878 by the French astronomer Georges Antoine Pons Rayet (1839-1906). Most of the astronomers' work on this 13 hectare site has long been astronomical measurements and radio waves. Many of its buildings and instrumentation have been inscribed under Historical Monuments since 2010. But this observatory is now in danger! The Bordeaux Astronomy Laboratory has indeed left the scene, and the state, until now, should leave the field free of charge to the University of Bordeaux, until then operator of the site, to put in place an urbanization plan still very vague (establishment of buildings of a real estate?). Although part of the site is classified, many are concerned about the planned disappearance of part of this important heritage for the region.
The Sirius Association, Bordeaux Métropole, the city of Floirac and the University of Bordeaux are still organizing guided tours of the observatory, on Wednesdays and on a Saturday a month. These visits are very complete since they allow for the understanding of the history of the site, to admire the large equatorial bezel whose tube is impressive (it measures 7 m long) and even a work of art. As we have understood, visiting the observatory has now also become an effective means of ensuring its survival, and at any rate to say that it has a real tourist attraction.