Observatories in Southern France

Hi. I'm going on holidays to the south of France at the end of August and I was just wondering does anyone know of any Observatories in that area that allow visitors.

I'm just back from three weeks of flying hang gliders around the Haute-Alps de Provence! I flew over the Pic de Burre radio observatory at about 9500' and was tempted to land beside it and check it out! The mountain top is like a moon-scape - all barren white limestone rocks with five shiny silver radio dishes arranged in a Y on movable tracks. There also apperars to be a dome for an optical instrument.

I dont know if this observatory is open to the public but I did see people walking around on top (probably climbers.) Pic de Burre (sp?) is between the towns of Serres and Gap, a couple of hours drive south of Grenoble. Check out the map at: www.camping-monteglin.com/cadrepagegb.htm for general location.

The main astronomical observatory that I know of in France is the Pic de Midi observatory in the Pirrinise mountains. I'm fairly sure they will receive visitors.

All the best,

Phil.

Thanks very much for the info.