A message to our foreign visitors

As a science communication center set at the foot of the well known Nançay giant radio telescope, the Pôle des Etoiles is pleased to welcome each year more and more visitors from all over the World.

You are a foreign speaker and you want to discover the Observatory and enjoy a show in our planetarium, please note that we intent to offer you the best experience.

Foreign languages

• English spoken
• Dutch, English and Spanish audio guides and brochures
• English, Spanish, German, Italian planetarium shows.

Opening times and dates

• We are opened 7 days a week all year long except on December 25th, January 1st and from the last day of Christmas school holidays to January 31st included.
• From 9:30 am to 12:30 am & from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm (from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm in July & August)
• Last entrance 45 minutes before closure

Daily activities

Despite a standard schedule mostly oriented towards a French speaking audience a great majority of activities may be available in your language at all time or upon request.

Here is what we offer :

Full access to our permanent exhibitions

Our exhibition panels are written in French but we are providing audio guides (English, Spanish, Dutch) and/or brochures for a full access to the permanent exhibition contents. The permanent exhibition emphasis on astronomy, radioastronomy and on the Nançay Observatory (history, infrastructures, goal and international activities) as well as on the great questions scientists are continuesly trying to find answers to.

• Access to permanent exhibition from 9:30 am to 12:30 am and from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm (9:30 am to 6:30 pm in July and August)
• Last access 45 minutes before closing

Access to the planetarium

A planetarium is a facility which enable sky and Universe simulations that are projected onto a spherical ceiling. Planetarium sessions are usually split into two parts. The first part (20 minutes) consists in a commented sky overview given by a science communicator. The second part (30 minutes) consists in a show projected onto the planetarium ceiling.

Even though, the commented part of planetarium sessions announced in our standard schedule is given in French, our planetarium shows presented during the second part are translated (audio) into English through headphones. You then might attend these sessions but are strongly advised to ask for an on demand planetarium session.

• Planetarium sessions at 10:00 am, 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm (3:00 pm session moved to 4:30 pm in December).
• Extra session at 5:30 pm in July and August

Planetarium sessions & guided tours on demand

You can book on demand planetarium sessions and guided tours to the Observatory (1h15 minutes) depending on our science communicators availability (English only).

You might also ask for a planetarium session with no commented part but a dedicated planetarium show in your language. English, Spanish, German, Italian available depending on the shows. 

In any case, people willing to benefit from a full visit experience are strongly advised to contact us. An English speaker of our team will be happy to provide you with any information you need.

Prices

Reduced rates : students under 26 yo, job seekers, people with disabilities, large families (3 children above 6 yo).

Free : Children under 6 yo.

Rates for groups : upon booking.

You may pay using debit card (min. 15€) or cash.