Queyras (High Alps): the ideal region for astronomy lovers

Pic de Château-Renard Observatory

Located at 2,936 meters in altitude, at the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Queyras, the Pic de Château-Renard Observatory is one of continental Europe’s best astronomical sites thanks to several factors such as the atmosphere’s purity, the darkness of the sky, and the amount of clear days.

This observatory opened in August 2015 after renovation and standardization work. Below the three domes, it welcomes amateur astronomers and tourists who can spend the night examining the stars in the same conditions as professionals.

La Maison du Soleil

Just a bit lower, in Saint-Veran, one of France’s most beautiful villages, La Maison du Soleil opened in early July 2016. This new discovery space is devoted to understanding the sun.

“Entirely dedicated to the sun, this center explains its functions thanks to instruments of high scientific value that were made available to the public by the Paris Observatory (CNRS). It helps to better understand the sun’s rotation, its spots, and other phenomena that characterize this star.

We can also explore the relationships of the sun with the Earth along with their interactions, especially around everything pertaining to solar energy, with the modes of capture and storage,” explains Caroline Tchepelev of the CDT Hautes Alpes.

Queyras Regional Natural Park
0530 Arvieux
phone: +33 (0) 4 92 46 88 20
www.pnr-queyras.fr

Tourism Office of Queyras Natural Park
www.queyras-montagne.com

Pic de Château Renard Obervatory
Queyras Natural Park
phone: +33 (0) 4 92 45 85 44
www.astroqueyras.com

La Maison du Soleil
Bouticar
Le Chatelet
05340 Saint-Véran
http://saintveran-maisondusoleil.com

Hours
Every day except mondays
2pm to 6pm
Guided visits at 2:15pm and 4:15pm
Workshops upon reservations here: 04 92 23 58 21

Rates
Adults : €4.00
Children 6 to 12: €2.00
Workshops: €6.00

Getting to the Queyras Natural Park?

Road

From Marseille: take the highway A51 until Gap/Tallard then direction Embrun, Guillestre and Queyras. 3h25 mn.
From Grenoble: either Briançon from the Lautaret pass or Gap through the Bavard pass then Embrun, Guillestre and Queyras. 3h30 mn.
From Torino: reach the border through the Montgenèvre pass, then direction Briançon, Guillestre and Queyras. 3h.


Train

TGV : Paris-Valence or Paris-Grenoble or Paris-Oulx www.voyages-sncf.com
Shuttle Connections www.05voyageurs.com
SNCF train station of Montdauphin/Guillestre www.ter-sncf.com/paca
TER PACA Marseille/Briançon, daily service.

Airplane

Torino Airport www.aeroportoditorino.it
Geneva Airport www.gva.ch
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport www.lyonaeroports.com
Marseille Provence Airport www.marseille.aeroport.fr (By train, by bus, car rental, taxis from Marseille.)

Queyras (Hautes Alpes): la région idéale pour les passionnés d'astronomie