The International Dark Sky Reserve

Keep your eyes on the stars – a voyage to the largest Dark Sky Reserve in Europe

The Cévennes National Park is nothing less than the largest International Dark Sky Reserve of Europe. It is the ideal place to contemplate the grandiose immensity of the Milky Way, to follow the cycles of the moon, and to bathe in the shimmering light of uncountable stars. Here, in the absence of light pollution, admire the infinity of our universe by simply raising your eyes to the (night) sky.

On August 13th 2018, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) awarded the prestigious International Dark Sky Reserve certification to the Park, well known for its clean and crisp horizon lines. This certification recognizes the exceptional clarity of the starry sky and rewards the work undertaken by the Cévennes National Park to protect the reserve from light pollution. The Park is now part of 22 International Dark Sky Reserves and the largest Dark Sky Reserve in Europe.

Did you know?

Today’s light pollution map shows that 80% of the global population has never experienced dark nights.
Light pollution does not just disrupt astronomical observations, it also causes other disturbances that require our immediate concern and action.
The consequences of light pollution are not as widely recognized as those of other forms of pollution, yet they are just as detrimental to the environment.
Light pollution perturbs wild life, causes health problems, requires a large amount of power generation, has financial repercussions on our wallets, and, of course, destroys the magic of dark nights.

Two perfect spots to observe the sky at night

The night sky lookout point in Saint Germain de Calberte

The Cévennes National Park has recently constructed a belvedere to facilitate night sky observation, on the heights of Saint Germain de Calberte

Open to all, the structure invites the visitor to escape into the stars. You will find here: a lounge bench called “midnight dip”, so as to comfortably observe the stars, benches set up in a half-circle to facilitate night sky observation as a group, a platform for personal telescopes, and the ecliptic line for planetary observation. A totem (an orientation table) presents the main constellations of the night sky in phosphorescent colors.
The Park’s lookout point was inaugurated in June 2023. Discover the night sky as you have never seen it before!

Anywhere in the Cévennes National Park

The Cévennes are perfect to observe the beauty of the night. This mountainous region is full of spots where you can lie down in the grass and admire the shimmering of constellations peppered with the graceful fall of shooting stars.
Just a small piece of advice : distance yourself from villages, where public lighting is still in place, and go for the heights, where the atmosphere is more pure.

Discover the dark site finder map to help you locate that perfect spot near you.

Dark site map

How about a night or two under the milky way?

Want to marvel at the night sky and to track falling stars in your pajamas? Reserve a night at a “Ciel Etoilé” (Starry Sky) certified lodging of your choice. This certification is awarded to local holiday rentals by the Cévennes National Park. Whether you choose a campsite, a cottage, or an old farm house, built on the heights of our mountains, these lodgings will provide you with the best possible seats for an interstellar voyage!