France is set to experience an exceptional astronomical moment on Wednesday August 12, 2026. For the first time in 27 years, our country will enjoy a particularly spectacular solar eclipse, with record occultation rates in several regions. This eclipse will be the first in an exceptional series of three central eclipses spaced around a year and a half apart, all involving the same country, Spain.
In the south-west of the country, in Biarritz, for example, it will be 99.5%. This near-total occultation puts the Basque town in a privileged position to observe the phenomenon. In Toulouse, the Sun will be 98% obscured, while in Bordeaux, the occultation will reach 97.5%.
Brittany and the Vendée will not be outdone, with the Sun masked at over 95%. Occultation remains significant even in the capital, where it will reach 92% in Paris. Residents of eastern France, on the other hand, will be worse off: 88% in Strasbourg, 73% in Marseille and 64% in Nice.
The phenomenon will be visible just before sunset, offering a particularly striking spectacle. Observers should be prepared for a late-day event, with its path starting on the northern coast of Siberia and ending at sunset in the Balearic Islands.
After a long loop across the Arctic Ocean, grazing the North Pole just a few tens of kilometers away, its direction will reverse due south across northeastern Greenland, gradually moving eastwards to reach its maximum off the northwest coast of Iceland.
Watching a solar eclipse with the naked eye can be extremely dangerous for your eyesight. It is therefore essential to wear certified eclipse glasses that filter out harmful rays and protect your eyes. Never use conventional sunglasses, even when superimposed, or other non-certified filters, as they do not filter UV rays sufficiently.
TheObservatoire de Paris and its new Laboratoire Temps Espace recommend the use of appropriate equipment to enjoy this astronomical spectacle without risk.
The next total eclipse to pass over France will take place on September 3, 2081. This rarity makes the2026 eclipse an event not to be missed. The last total solar eclipse to pass over Spain was on August 30, 1905, which underlines the exceptionality of this phenomenon.
There's still two years to go, but the wait will be well worth it, as this will be the first total solar eclipse to be seen in Europe in 27 years, weather permitting.
For those wishing to experience the complete"Black Sun", the Balearic Islands (Palma de Mallorca) will be one of the most popular areas for observing the eclipse in its totality. On Wednesday August 12, 2026, for 1 minute and 49 seconds, the moon will come between the Earth and the Sun.
The total eclipse can be seen from the towns and villages of : Valladolid, Soria, Segovia, Palencia, León, Burgos, Ávila, Zamora in Spain. Astronomy tourism professionals are already offering specialized holidays to observe this rare phenomenon.
The good news continues for astronomy enthusiasts. The following year, on August 2, 2027, Europe will once again be the scene of a total solar eclipse in Spain, and France will still be able to observe more than 50% of it. This succession of rare astronomical events makes the next few years an exceptional period for observing the sky.
Thesolar eclipse on August 12, 2026 therefore represents an opportunity to experience a grandiose cosmic spectacle, particularly from the south-west of France, where observation conditions will be optimal.
