Astrology enthusiasts are in for a treat in 2026! If you want to witness breathtaking celestial displays right from French skies, you'll need to be willing to sacrifice some sleep. Usually, it means waking up in the middle of the night to fully enjoy shooting star showers or Supermoons. During the day, lucky observers across Europe will have the chance to see solar and lunar eclipses — whether total or partial — as well as comets gracing our skies.
With the naked eye or a telescope, if the sky is cloudless, get ready to look up at the stars! Get out your calendar and take note of the events you won't want to miss! Let's hope for beautiful evenings without too many clouds and too much rain, and why not even some new northern lights?
This guide is updated according to astronomical news.
Supermoon on January 3rd: the first of 2026 promises to be spectacular — here's when and where to see it
On Saturday, January 3, 2026, skywatchers will have the chance to witness the year's first supermoon, known as the Wolf Moon. This celestial display promises to be particularly spectacular, as it will be visible alongside Jupiter and a meteor shower — a rare trio that won’t be seen again until November. [Read more]
An extraordinary lineup of six planets to be observed in the night sky on February 28, 2026
This Saturday, February 28th, offers a stunning celestial show with a rare alignment of six planets—one of the tightest in recent history. Just a few minutes after sunset, the night sky will unveil a spectacular lineup of Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, all visible in a breathtaking celestial parade. Whether you're an astronomy buff or simply curious, don't forget to look up! [Read more]
The Equinox Nights 2026: Enjoy free stargazing and spring skies
Although it's a bit cooler than in August, a variety of activities are planned to enjoy the spring night sky during the Equinox Nights, formerly known as the Winter Star Nights, taking place from March 20 to 22, 2026. [Read more]
Will the lunar eclipse and its striking "blood moon" appearance be visible in France?
A total lunar eclipse will turn the Moon a fiery red on March 3, 2026. This rare and spectacular celestial event promises a breathtaking sight. But will it be visible from France, and more specifically in Paris? [Read more]
Lyrids: a beautiful meteor shower visible in the late-April sky; how to observe it?
From April 16 to 26, 2026, a meteor shower will light up the French skies. As every year, it’s the Lyrids greeting us, meteors streaking through our atmosphere in the spring. Look up and enjoy the show as soon as the skies clear! [Read more]
What makes the April Pink Moon special, and how and when is it best viewed?
The rose full Moon of the night of April 1–2, 2026 is poised to light up the night sky. This year, it’s also a supermoon, larger and brighter than usual. Here’s the explanation of its poetic name and how to observe it from Paris. [Read more]
Êta Aquarides: a shower of shooting stars visible in the sky in May
From April 19 to May 28, 2026, a shower of shooting stars will be visible in the French sky. These are the Êta Aquarides, meteors that pass through our atmosphere every year. Look up to the sky and admire the show! [Read more]
Arietids: the year's most intense meteor shower to be observed in broad daylight
The Arietids are considered the most intense daytime meteor shower of the year, delivering up to 60 meteors per hour. Active from May 22 to July 3, 2026, they peak on June 10. Hard to spot with the naked eye, they can nonetheless be observed before dawn with a bit of preparation. [Read more]
Strawberry Moon 2026: the micromoon to be seen tonight over Paris
The Strawberry Full Moon graces the skies over Paris and Île-de-France tonight, from Monday, June 29 to Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The year’s last micromoon, low on the horizon, it can be admired for free with the naked eye, as the sky finally clears for the occasion. [Read more]
Paris Under the Stars: Free stargazing in the city’s parks this summer, 2026
Paris Under the Stars is back from June 27 to September 5, 2026. The French Astronomical Association organizes in the capital a series of stargazing evenings across various Parisian parks and gardens. [Read more]
Giant asteroid: a colossal rock will skim past Earth this Saturday, June 27.
A giant asteroid, named (152637) 1997 NC1, will pass closer to Earth than at any time in its orbit this Saturday, June 27, 2026. A rare celestial rendezvous that curious observers can try to spot with binoculars or a small telescope. Here’s everything you need to know. [Read more]
Nights of the Stars 2026: Photo exhibition and stargazing in Vayres-sur-Essonne (91)
The Astroclub of Vayres-sur-Essonne is once again taking part in Nuits des Etoiles 2026, offering free observations open to everyone on July 31. It's a great chance to become a true astronomy whiz! [Read more]
Don't miss the Perseids, the most beautiful shooting star shower of the year!
Throughout August, and especially around August 12, 2026, the famous Perseid shower of shooting stars will be visible in the French sky, as it is every year. Let's look up and admire the show! [Read more]
Lunar eclipse and the Sturgeon Moon tonight, where and when to see the red Moon.
The partial lunar eclipse blends with the Sturgeon Moon this night of August 27–28, 2026: visible to the naked eye from Île-de-France, the Moon will take on a copper-red tint if the sky clears after the storms. Here's everything you need to know. [Read more]
Exceptional solar eclipse visible in France: what you need to know
An exceptional solar eclipse will grace France on August 12, 2026, with up to 99.5% obscuration in Biarritz. This rare astronomical event will deliver a near-total spectacle in the southwest, 27 years after the last total eclipse visible in Europe. [Read more]
Solar eclipse viewing evening with a picnic in Savigny-le-Temple (77)
The eclipse of the century is coming this Wednesday, August 12, 2026. To watch it safely, a local association in Savigny-le-Temple, Seine-et-Marne, is hosting a special evening of stargazing with a picnic on the program. [Read more]
Precautions, timing, best spots, how to prepare for the August 2026 solar eclipse?
In August 2026, the sky will dim for a rare encounter: a solar eclipse. In the Paris region, with about 92% coverage, you’ll want to take precautions to observe it safely. Timing, safety, location—we’ll walk you through everything to get prepared! [Read more]
Where can you get solar eclipse glasses to watch the August 12 solar eclipse in Paris and Île-de-France?
On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, France is set to witness a spectacular solar eclipse. But beware: watching it with the naked eye or with ordinary sunglasses carries serious risks. Find out where to snag the essential certified eclipse glasses before it's too late! [Read more]
Star Nights 2026 in Vaux-le-Pénil (77): a nighttime stargazing session under the summer sky
Two major stargazing evenings are planned for August 7 and 8, 2026, at the Vaux-le-Pénil Canine Education Club, to mark the new edition of Nights of the Stars. [Read more]
Nights of the Stars 2026 in Meaux (77): stargazing and a treasure hunt
In Meaux, for the 2026 Nights of the Stars, a major stargazing evening is planned as part of the summer activities, on August 7, to become a whiz on planets and stars! [Read more]
Stargazing Nights 2026 in Saint-Ouen (93): observing the sky over Seine-Saint-Denis
And what if you headed to Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine on August 6, 2026 for an evening under the stars? To mark the Nights of the Stars, marvel at the night sky and learn more about the constellations that surround us! [Read more]
Stargazing Night 2026 in Essarts-le-Roi (78): skywatching in Yvelines
Attention astronomy enthusiasts: the Nights of the Stars are coming back this summer, on the night of August 7, 2026, in Essarts-le-Roi, Yvelines. It’s time to gaze at the sky and its constellations all evening long. [Read more]
Stargazing Nights 2026 in Trilport (77): two evening sessions to observe the sky in Seine-et-Marne
In Trilport, in the Seine-et-Marne department, the mysteries of the night sky unfold for the curious over two evenings, on August 7 and 8, 2026, for the Nuits des Etoiles. On the program: stargazing and discoveries! [Read more]
Starry Nights 2026 in Paris: New Moon viewing at the Cité des Sciences
Star Night is back at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, where science mediators have lined up a host of engaging activities in Parc de la Villette, just behind the Geode, on August 12, 2026, following a memorable eclipse. [Read more]
Star Nights 2026 in Paris: skywatching at Jardins d'Éole in the 18th arrondissement
The French Astronomical Association invites the whole family to the Jardins d'Éole on August 8, 2026, to celebrate the Nights of the Stars. A wonderful opportunity to learn more about the sky, and about this association that brings astronomy to Paris's parks and gardens all summer long! [Read more]
Starry Nights 2026 in Paris: observe the sky in Montmartre's Square Louise Michel
Head to Square Louise Michel in Montmartre on the night of August 9, 2026, for a free stargazing evening as part of the Nights of the Stars. A perfect chance to become an aspiring astronomer at the highest point in Paris! [Read more]
Starry Nights 2026 in Paris: sky-watching in the heart of the city at Parc Montsouris
The French Astronomical Association invites young and old to Montsouris Park on August 7, 2026, to celebrate Nuits des Etoiles. A great opportunity to learn more about the night sky, thanks to an installation that’s been filling Paris’s parks and gardens all summer long! [Read more]
Stargazing Nights 2026: observing the night sky at the Uranoscope of Île-de-France (77)
On the occasion of Star Night, astronomy enthusiasts are gathering at the Uranoscope of Île-de-France in Seine-et-Marne on August 22, 2026! The perfect opportunity to observe the stars with pro-grade gear. [Read more]
Nights of the Stars 2026: Eclipse tales and stargazing at the Royal Domain of Marly (78)
At the Royal Domain of Marly, for the 2026 Nights of the Stars, the Louv'Science astronomy club invites you to join them on the night of August 8 for an extraordinary stargazing session. [Read more]
Nights of the Stars 2026: schedule and dates for nocturnal events in Paris and Île-de-France
Nights Under the Stars return from August 7 to 9, 2026. All weekend long, astronomers invite the curious to stargaze and share in a magical moment, across Paris and Île-de-France. Click here to explore our pick of activities in the region. [Read more]
Nights of the Stars 2026: a show, workshops and stargazing at the Air and Space Museum
For the Night of the Stars 2026, the Air and Space Museum will once again open its doors for a special after-hours event, on Saturday, August 8, 2026, just a few days before a rare eclipse. [Read more]
Total eclipse and shooting stars on the same day: what makes this event so extraordinary?
Get ready for the astronomical event of the century. On August 12, 2026, France and much of Europe will witness a rare celestial phenomenon—an unprecedented event in modern history: a total solar eclipse coinciding with the peak of the Perseids meteor shower. A once-in-a-lifetime spectacle happening all on the same day! [Read more]
Why is this Saturday night's Harvest Moon special?
The Harvest Moon rises over Paris and the Île-de-France tonight, just as it does across France this Saturday, September 26, 2026. Not a Super Moon, it hides a small phenomenon we only see once a year—look up! [Read more]
Pléiades 2026: how and when to observe the Seven Sisters tonight in Île-de-France
The Pleiades, the famous star cluster nicknamed the “Seven Sisters,” will brighten the Île-de-France night sky on the night of September 2–3, 2026. Visible to the naked eye, this small grouping of stars is easy to spot once you know where to look. Here’s everything you need to know. [Read more]
Orionids: dates to watch this autumn meteor shower in October 2026
In October, a meteor shower lights up the French night sky. It’s the Orionids, meteors streaking through the constellation Orion each year. We lift our eyes to the heavens and marvel at the display, weather permitting. [Read more]
Leonids: a meteor shower to watch in the night sky this November 2026
Meteor showers are back in our skies, led by the Leonids. The peak is expected on the night of November 17–18, 2026, from midnight, with meteors that are often colorful and bright. [Read more]
Geminids: when will the peak of this meteor shower occur in December 2026?
A stunning meteor shower will light up the French night sky before Christmas, spanning December 4–20, 2026, with a peak around December 13. Get ready to marvel at the beauty of this starry sky, the last one of the year! [Read more]
The best spots to admire shooting stars and the sky in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
Numerous shooting star nights punctuate the year, as do astronomical events, which can be admired weather permitting, in places with less pollution. But where can you find these rare gems in Paris and the Ile-de-France region? [Read more]
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