Observatoire du Mont Chiran

Located in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon at 1905m altitude, the Mont-Chiran observatory welcomes hikers and those curious about the sky, for an unforgettable evening under the stars!

Created by the CNRS in 1974, the observatory enjoys excellent sky quality and a remarkably stable atmosphere.
Today we welcome you to the refuge for one or more nights during your hikes or to contemplate the heavens.

Under the dome, you can observe nebulae, galaxies, globular clusters, moons and planets through a 406mm telescope open at F/d 4.5.
An astronomy instructor will guide you on this celestial trek, revealing its beauty and immensity.

At the summit of Mont-Chiran, you’ll discover an exceptional 360-degree panorama, overlooking the Alpine arc from the Mercantour to the Écrins, as well as a beautiful view of the Mediterranean, from the Bay of Fréjus to the Pyrenees! This extraordinary vantage point is also sure to offer magnificent sunrises and sunsets, accompanied by green rays or seas of clouds.
Thunderstorms, too, are a not-to-be-missed spectacle from the shelter of the refuge.