ASTROQUEYRAS - OBSERVATOIRE ASTRONOMIQUE DE HAUTE ALTITUDE

The municipality of Saint-Véran is the highest in France with its altitude of 2,042 m, and can boast of owning the highest observatory in continental Europe, since located at the foot of the Pic de Château Renard at 2,936 m altitude! Those who knew the observatory at its beginning remember how spectacular life there was! In the 1990 s, only one room was heated (the small dining room), the rest of the observatory bathed in a surrealistic atmosphere, especially in winter with its buildings with thick walls, snow covered inside and outside (the very rustic dormitory was almost at freezing temperature!), running water was pure fantasy, electricity was reserved to the strict minimum, food had to be channeled through its own means and the entire infrastructure looked more like a Antarctic base than a comfortable refuge! Those who came there in the winter could be considered courageous, but the pleasure of being in a small committee, in an atmosphere outside the time, was worth all the prizes to pay. Today, the observatory has changed significantly and has (fortunately) been significantly improved in terms of comfort (quality accommodation, electricity, heating, instruments of observation available, etc.), even though its winter access can only be made in snowshoes or hiking (about 1:15 a. m. from the top of the Saint-Vérski ski resort. An, at a quiet pace). The observatory is usually reserved for astronomy missions over several days, but nights are organized throughout the year depending on availability. These nights usually take place as follows: arrival on site before sunset for observations of the star of the day with a specific bezel, discovery of the main constellations once the night fell (a team of animators from the astroqueyras is there to help), then observation in one of the telescopes installed under dome. The night must be short if you wish to make the most of the grandiose site, with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Our advice: before sunrise you must climb the peak of the peak of Château Renard, located a few dozen meters above the observatory, to enjoy the first rays of the sun in the best conditions (the main dome then takes a magnificent orange color). The breakfast that is then taken highlights the smiles still present on all the faces of the participants. Of course, at almost 3,000 m altitude you need to be perfectly equipped because the nights are fresh in summer, and sometimes freezing in winter (especially if the wind starts from the game). You must also have a good physical condition to stay on site. But what souvenirs to take home after such an adventure! Last thing: If you're a photography enthusiast it's time to take with you a box, objectives of all kinds and photo tripod (even if all this beautiful world weighs heavy in the backpack): because the opportunities to make images of all beauty are many at the time of sunset and sunrise, sunrise above snowy summits, the rise of Milky Way, the appearance of shooting stars, etc.