The 2026 edition of the Provence Astronomy Festival returns to Marseille, Allauch and Venelles from Saturday, April 25th to Saturday, May 2nd. A number of events will be taking place at the Observatoire de Marseille, the historic site where Iméra, the Institute for Advanced Study of Aix Marseille Université, is based.
Provence Astronomy Festival
The aim of the Provence Astronomy Festival is to celebrate astronomy in all its forms, with free events open to the general public throughout Provence, from Marseille to St-Michel de l’Observatoire.
The organisers aim to showcase the latest advances in astrophysical research, introduce visitors to the high points of Provençal astronomy (such as the Longchamp Astronomical Observatory, the Chateau-Gombert Astrophysics Laboratory and the Haute-Provence Astronomical Observatory), include activities tailored to children (and their families), and of course offer astronomical observations of the sky by day and night.
This event is organised by astrophysicists from Marseille in collaboration with amateur astronomers from Provence.
2026 programme on the Leverrier site
The Marseille Observatory, on the Leverrier site, is hosting two events in the Provence Astronomy Festival:
Nocturne at the Marseille Observatory
Date: Tuesday, April 28th, 2026.
Time: from 8.30pm to 11.30pm.
Information: Open to all, free admission. Entrance via avenue Jean-Louis Pons, 13004 Marseille.
The festival team and the Andromède association welcome you for a tour of the site and its historic instruments, a guided exhibition and night-time observations.
Kids’ afternoon at the Marseille Observatory
Date: Wednesdy, April 29th, 2026.
Time : from 2pm to 6pm.
Information: Suitable for children, families or groups. Free admission. School classes and day-care centres are urged to book ahead. Entrance via avenue Jean-Louis Pons, 13004 Marseille.
Children (and their families!) will be welcomed to the Longchamp site of the Marseille Astronomical Observatory for activities that don’t involve complicated words.
Activities include: a guided tour of the Observatory site and its historic instruments, solar observation, creating star charts, a demonstration of an armillary sphere, and a series of short talks and experiments.
