Sorbonne Observatory: admire the stars through a vintage telescope

TheSorbonne Observatory, nestled 40 metres above the University, offers an almost 360° panoramic view of Paris. A veritable balcony overlooking the Milky Way... or almost!
Perched on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, this listed building is a vestige of a time when science still shone in the firmament of knowledge taught at the Sorbonne.

Beneath its verdigris dome, recognizable from Rue Saint-Jacques, lies an astronomical telescope dating from 1935 - 153 mm in diameter, 2300 mm focal length - still in use today to scan the Moon, planets and other celestial wonders... if the clouds cooperate.

The tour begins in the Sorbonne's main courtyard. You'll come across a sundial, an ancient chapel erected by Richelieu, and then the famous astronomy tower, built at the end of the 19th century. It houses two domes: one dedicated to observation, the other to an optics workshop dedicated to polishing telescope mirrors, still in operation today.

But before you can reach the stars, you have to climb! An elevator drops you off halfway up, and then it's up to your legs to climb the last 20 meters. Yes, it's worth the effort, but the view is worth every step!

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For over 70 years, theSorbonne Observatory has also been home to the Société Astronomique de France. This association's mission is to promote the practice and passion of astronomy. Two evenings a week, it organizes observation evenings for small groups (5 people). Visitors enjoy a soaring view of illuminated Paris... and a moment suspended between the stars, their eyes riveted to the sky, via the vintage telescope.

The stars are never far away, but places are scarce. To book your interstellar getaway in the heart of the Latin Quarter, keep an eye on the Société Astronomique de France website.