It’s been more than 25 years since an eclipse of such magnitude has been visible in the capital. The last time the country was plunged into darkness like this was on August 11, 1999. And we’ll have to wait until September 3, 2081 (according to the French astronomy association) for such a phenomenon to happen again. One thing is certain then, on August 12, 2026, you’ll want to be there for this historic moment. And there are some tips and tricks worth knowing to make the most of it.
Choosing your perfect vantage point
In just a few days, for a few minutes, the moon will position itself in front of the sun, concealing it to the point of leaving only a thin ray of light visible. A mystical phenomenon that everyone hopes to witness. But if you’re in the capital for this moment, be careful, you need to choose your spot wisely. Indeed,
the eclipse will take place relatively late (around 7:20 PM), which means that the sun will be quite low on the horizon. To avoid getting stuck behind a building, you have two options: gain some height, or choose an open space facing west. For this, we recommend a rooftop, a large park, or the bridges and banks of the Seine, which generally allow you to get a bit away from tall buildings.je me prends vraiment pour une astronome. j’ai recherché tous les endroits avec le plus d’altitude sur paris qui seraient idéaux pour observer l’eclipse du 12😭
— dora ☆ (@mlsdora) July 28, 2026
Protecting Yourself Properly
To experience this event the right way, however, watch out — you need to take precautions. Because unlike a lunar eclipse (when Earth positions itself between the sun and moon, casting its shadow on the latter), a solar eclipse can never (absolutely never) be viewed with the naked eye. The phenomenon could cause retinal burns — without pain and without immediate effects, so don't be clever and assume you're fine just because you feel nothing right now — and requires proper protection. That means not regular sunglasses, which aren't strong enough, but rather lenses certified ISO 12312-2. These specialized pieces of equipment are generally available at opticians or pharmacies, in certainlarge retailers, or if you're an enthusiast, at specialty astronomy shops. Enjoy the show everyone !
View this post on Instagram