From the towering peaks of the Pyrenees to the rolling hills of the Cévennes, France is quietly revolutionizing how people experience the night sky. With seven International Dark-Sky Reserves (RICE) now protecting over 11,750 square kilometers of pristine darkness, the country has created an astronomical tourism network that welcomed over 350,000 visitors in 2024 alone.

The numbers tell a compelling story of growth and accessibility. At Pic du Midi, perched 2,877 meters above sea level in the Pyrenees, visitor numbers have surged to a record-breaking 144,169 in 2024, generating €10.1 million in revenue. This represents not just a recovery from pandemic lows, but a fundamental shift in how French institutions approach public engagement with astronomy.

"We're not just preserving dark skies for scientists anymore. We're creating experiences that connect people to the cosmos in ways that are both educational and deeply moving."

— Director of Observatoire du Pic du Midi

The French model stands out globally for its integration of scientific research with public accessibility. Unlike many international dark-sky initiatives that focus primarily on conservation, France's RICE program actively promotes astrotourism as a sustainable economic driver for rural communities.

This approach has yielded remarkable results. The Observatory of Haute-Provence, a CNRS research facility established in 1937, now welcomes 11,000 visitors annually while maintaining its research mission. Saint-Véran, France's highest observatory at 2,930 meters, expects to receive 2,200 visitors in 2025, demonstrating how even specialized research facilities can engage meaningfully with the public.