The International Dark Sky Reserve

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

The Cevennes 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, the follow the cycles of the moon, and to bathe in the shimmering light of uncountable stars. Here, in the absence of light pollution, all you have to do is raise your eyes in order do admire the grandiose infinity of our universe.

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 Cevennes 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?

The most recent 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.
Not as widely talked about as other forms of pollution, the consequences of light pollution 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

On the heights of Saint Germain de Calberte, the Cevennes National Park has constructed a belvedere to facilitate night sky observation.

Open to all, the structure of the lookout point invites the visitor to escape into the stars. You will find there: a lounge bench called “midnight dip”, so as to comfortably observe the night sky, 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 belvedere was inaugurated in June 2023. Discover the night sky as you have never seen it before!

Anywhere in the Cevennes National Park

The Cevennes are perfect to observe the beauty of the night. No matter the season, this mountainous region is full of spots where you can lie down in the grass so as to admire the shimmering of constellations and the graceful fall of shooting stars.
One small 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

Fill your head with stars by participating in our night time activities:

> Initiate yourself to the stars with an astronomy themed stay at Esperelles.
> Take a guided astronomy tour, in July and August, at the Mount Lozere multi-sport station, organized by the Lozere department.
> Take a guided tour around the menhirs of the Mount Lozere at sunset. Discover the life of our Neolithic ancestors and admire the ancient megaliths not only at twilight, but also beneath the starry sky. (Only in July and August, organized by a certified tour guide Mariette Emile).
> Participate at an “Evening around starry skies”, regularly organized by Gilles Mercier at the Adelphia Bed and Brekfast, in the hamlet of Cauvel, Saint Martin de Lansuscle.

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 Cevennes National Park. Whether you choose a campsite, a cottage, or an old farm house, built on the heights of some valley, these lodgings will provide you with the best possible seats for an interstellar voyage!