Tonight’s solar eclipse in France: how to make the most of it

A near-total eclipse is set to be visible across France this evening, August 12, giving observers the chance to see the moon cover almost all of the sun in some parts of the country. 

However, the eclipse is not the only reason to look up tonight. The annual Perseid meteor shower is also reaching its peak tonight, meaning those who stay out after the eclipse could have a second celestial spectacle to watch for into the early hours. 

When and where will the eclipse be visible? 

The eclipse will be visible across metropolitan France, although it will be partial everywhere in the country. The further south-west you are, the greater the coverage. Totality will only be witnessed from parts of north and central Spain.

In mainland France, the eclipse will begin at around 19:10 and last until around 21:20, reaching its maximum at around 20:15-20:30, although exact timings vary depending on location. 

The moon will cover the largest proportion of the sun in south-western France, with coverage reaching:

• up to 99.5% of the sun in parts of the south-west, including the Basque coast

• around 97.8% in Toulouse

• more than 96% in Bordeaux, Montpellier and Marseille

• around 92.2% in Paris

• around 89.9% in Strasbourg

Coastal areas, hilltops and locations with an unobscured western horizon are likely to offer the clearest views. It is also worth getting away from artificial light sources if possible. 

The latest forecast from Météo-France suggests clear skies across most of the country, although some clouds could develop from Brittany to Franche-Comté and in the Rhône Valley.

Online eclipse simulators can show when the eclipse will occur in your commune and what percentage of the sun will be covered.

One option is The Photographer’s Ephemeris, which allows users to select their location on an interactive map and view the timing and maximum coverage.

Another option is EclipSEOP, developed by the Observatoire de Paris. It provides the different phases of the eclipse, maximum coverage, and duration.

It should be noted though that times displayed by EclipSEOP are in Coordinated Universal Time, meaning two hours must be added for France.

Still looking for glasses? 

Although the eclipse will not be total in France, it is still not safe to look straight at the sun without protection and eclipse glasses meeting the appropriate safety standards are necessary for direct viewing. 

The rush for protective glasses has peaked in France with many supermarkets, pharmacies and opticians reporting shortages. 

However, in case your local pharmacy is out of stock, there might be another option. 

Several magazines are being sold with approved eclipse glasses, according to the Association française d’astronomie (AFA). This includes Ciel & Espace, the astronomy magazine published by the AFA. Its special edition devoted to the eclipse is being sold with a pair of special glasses for €9.90. 

Other titles including Sciences et Avenir, Science & Vie, Epsiloon, and Le Parisien-Aujourd’hui en France have also offered glasses with their latest issues. 

However, not every pair being sold or distributed should automatically be assumed to be safe. The AFA raised concerns about the glasses supplied with Éclipse 2026, Hors-série Premium, citing compliance issues. It referred the matter to the DGCCRF (France’s consumer protection and anti-fraud agency) and requested that the glasses be removed from distribution.  

Before you buy them you should therefore check that eclipse glasses come from a reputable supplier, identify the manufacturer, include instructions for safe use and that they state compliance with the ISO 12312-2 standard for solar viewing filters.

Regular sunglasses, even several pairs worn together, are not sufficient, while improvised methods such as smoked glass, photographic film, CDs or DVDs are not advised.

People should also be wary as the shortage has led to media reports of inflated prices, with some sellers taking advantage of last-minute demand. One seller on Leboncoin, for example, was asking €50 for a pair of solar eclipse glasses. 

What about photographing the eclipse?

If you intend to film or photograph the eclipse with a mobile phone or camera, it is recommended to use a special neutral density solar filter to avoid damage to equipment. 

You should also adjust your camera settings to ensure that very little light actually passes through the lens, which could otherwise damage the camera sensor.

Stay out for shooting stars afterwards 

Once the sun has disappeared below the horizon, there is another reason to stay outside. The annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak around August 12-13. 

This year’s conditions are set to be particularly good for meteor watching as there will be little moonlight to wash out the fainter meteors.

Under dark, clear skies, observers will be able to potentially see around 100 meteors per hour, although the actual number seen from a particular location will vary. 

The best way to enjoy the event is to get away from artificial light, find a wide and unobstructed view of the sky and allow your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. No special equipment is required. 

August 12 eclipse is first of three visible in next 18 months 

For those unable to witness Wednesday's eclipse, or simply wanting another chance to see one, a second eclipse will arrive in France only a year later. 

On August 2, 2027, another solar eclipse will be visible from France as a partial eclipse. Totality, however, will pass through parts of southern Spain and North Africa. 

Even though France will once again not be able to witness it in its totality, the event will be notable as the 2027 eclipse will be considerably longer than the 2026 one. 

January 2028: France to get a ‘ring of fire’

A third eclipse will arrive six months later on January 26, 2028. This time, it will be an annular solar eclipse, meaning the moon will pass in front of the sun but will be too far from earth to completely cover the solar disc. 

Instead, a bright circle of sunlight will remain visible around the moon creating a “ring of fire” effect.

The January 2028 eclipse will be visible from France as a partial eclipse, with the percentage of the sun covered again varying according to location.