Starry Nights 2026 in Paris: New Moon viewing at the Cité des Sciences

Every year in August, the astronomers invite the curious to watch the stars after dusk, hoping for a clear sky that will let the celestial bodies be seen: these are the Nuits des Étoiles. While in Paris there aren’t many good spots due to light pollution, the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie usually brings together sky‑gazers on the meadow to the north, behind the Geode.

Glasses and a telescope await us for observations of the new Moon and the Paris sky on August 12, 2026. Facilitators will be on hand to answer questions and help us navigate what to look for, guiding us as we observe the heavens and its constellations—featuring the Moon, Venus, Saturn, and a whole host of star patterns—plus a plentiful display of shooting stars. The activities are accessible to everyone, including children aged 6 and up, from 9:45 p.m. to midnight.

It's also the day of a rare phenomenon in our skies—a solar eclipse! The City is marking the occasion with a major science outreach event on the meadow, featuring hands-on workshops, talks, and sun-watching, building up to the eclipse’s peak, and continuing into the evening with a Night of Stars session devoted to the summer sky.

Solar eclipse 2026 in Paris: A special day at the Cité des sciences—discover the program
The Cité des sciences is dedicating a day to the solar eclipse visible from Paris on 12 August 2026. On the program: workshops, mini-lectures, Sun watching, eclipse tracking, and the Night of the Stars evening. [Read more]

• To be read
• This week's top picks for July 6–12, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France
• Free museums in Paris and free monuments in Île-de-France: the top cultural deals
• Yvelines: 10 fantastic outings to enjoy this weekend of July 11–12, 2026

If you’re not in Paris at that moment, the Nights of the Stars are celebrated across France. It’s a chance to learn more about the stars that surround us and to dream a little during the summer season. Don’t miss observing the Perseids, the year’s most spectacular meteor shower, throughout the month of August!

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]