Du Silex aux Étoiles Scientific Film Festival
Traveling scientific film festival in Alpes de Haute-Provence
About Du Silex aux Étoiles
Du Silex aux Étoiles: A Scientific Journey Through the Alpes de Haute-Provence
The "Du Silex aux Étoiles" festival is an annual event dedicated to scientific documentary cinema, organized by the Departmental Council of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. This traveling festival offers open-air screenings at three major heritage and scientific sites in the department, providing a unique journey from prehistory to astronomy.
Three Exceptional Sites for Three Evenings of Discovery
The festival unfolds over three evenings at three emblematic locations:
- Salagon Museum, Museum and Gardens (Mane): A medieval priory classified as a historic monument, a Museum of France, and remarkable ethnobotanical gardens. The opening evening is traditionally held as part of the Rendez-vous aux jardins (Garden Visits) event.
- Astronomy Center (Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire): A reference site for sky observation and scientific outreach in astronomy, near the CNRS Haute-Provence Observatory.
- Museum of Prehistory of the Verdon Gorges (Quinson): One of the largest prehistoric museums in Europe, designed by architect Norman Foster. The closing evening is part of the European Archaeology Days.
A Program at the Crossroads of Science and Cinema
Each edition features a selection of documentary films addressing various scientific themes:
- Archaeology and Prehistory: Excavations, discoveries, and reconstructions of our ancient past.
- Astronomy and Space: Exploration of the cosmos, stargazing, and space research.
- Geology and Paleontology: Formation of landscapes, fossils, and Earth's history.
- Ethnology and Anthropology: World cultures, traditions, and ancestral knowledge.
- Environment and Energy: Climate challenges, biodiversity, and energy transitions.
Each screening is followed by a discussion with researchers and specialists, creating a privileged space for dialogue between the scientific world and the general public. This educational approach distinguishes the festival by allowing spectators to better understand the stakes of contemporary research.
A Free and Accessible Festival for Everyone
Driven by the Department's commitment to making culture and science accessible to as many people as possible, the "Du Silex aux Étoiles" festival is entirely free. Screenings, scheduled for early summer evenings (9:30 PM), take place outdoors in exceptional natural and heritage settings, offering an immersive experience where cinema, science, and nature blend harmoniously.
The Department, a Major Cultural Player
The festival is part of the cultural policy of the Departmental Council of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, which directly manages the three departmental museums hosting the screenings. By creating this festival, the Department promotes its museum heritage while offering an original cultural program that invites the public to explore the region and discover its scientific and heritage riches.
Du Silex aux Étoiles — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the festival « Du Silex aux Étoiles » will take place from June 6 to 19, 2026 in the three departmental museums of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Opening on Saturday, June 6 at the Musée de Salagon in Mane (as part of the Rendez-vous aux jardins) with the screening of « Il était une forêt » by Luc Jacquet, screening on Saturday, June 13 at the Musée de Préhistoire des gorges du Verdon in Quinson (as part of the European Archaeology Days), and closing on Friday, June 19 at the Centre d'Astronomie de Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire with two films from IFFCAM (« Le 3e loup » and « J'ai égaré les ombres »). Free screenings followed by discussions with the directors and researchers. Free admission upon reservation.
2026 Edition — Du Silex aux Étoiles
The festival « Du Silex aux Étoiles » returns for a new edition in June 2026, offering three evenings of scientific documentary film screenings in the departmental museums of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. All sessions start at 9:30 PM and are free upon reservation.
Saturday, June 6, 2026 — Opening Night at Musée de Salagon (Mane)
The opening night is part of the Rendez-vous aux jardins. It is dedicated to the film « Il était une forêt » by Luc Jacquet, written with botanist Francis Hallé, which follows the birth and development of a tropical forest ecosystem over seven centuries.
- 5:00 PM — Panel discussion « Forests and Climate Change » with Martine Chalvet (historian), Jean Bonnier (agronomist) and Hervé Le Bouler (forester).
- 8:00 PM — Film presentation by Yves Caraglio.
- 9:00 PM-9:30 PM — Screening of « Il était une forêt » followed by a discussion with the speakers.
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Musée de Préhistoire des gorges du Verdon (Quinson)
The second evening takes place at the Musée de Préhistoire des gorges du Verdon in Quinson, as part of the European Archaeology Days. Screening at 9:30 PM of a documentary film followed by a discussion with a specialist. The film title and the name of the speaker will be specified by the organizer a few weeks before the session.
Friday, June 19, 2026 — Closing Night at Centre d'Astronomie (Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire)
The closing night, at 9:30 PM at the Centre d'Astronomie, offers two short films produced around IFFCAM (Institut Francophone de Formation au Cinéma Animalier et Naturaliste de Ménigoute):
- « Le 3e loup » by Lisa Faulconnier (20 minutes).
- « J'ai égaré les ombres » by the Association des Amis de l'IFFCAM (39 minutes).
The screening will be followed by a discussion with Apolline, Victor, Sarah and Coline from Amis de l'IFFCAM as well as Lisa Faulconnier.
Access Conditions
All sessions are free upon reservation with each site. Sessions take place outdoors (subject to favorable weather conditions) — bring warm clothing. Average duration: 2 hours. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Programme Du Silex aux Étoiles 2026
Saturday, June 6, 2026 — Salagon (Mane) — 9:30 PM
- 5:00 PM — Panel discussion « Forests and Climate Change » · Martine Chalvet (historian), Jean Bonnier (agronomist), Hervé Le Bouler (forester)
- 8:00 PM — Film presentation by Yves Caraglio
- 9:00 PM — Screening: « Il était une forêt » by Luc Jacquet with Francis Hallé · followed by a discussion
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Musée de Préhistoire des gorges du Verdon (Quinson) — 9:30 PM
- 9:30 PM — Screening of a documentary film as part of the European Archaeology Days · followed by a discussion with a specialist (film title and speaker to be announced)
Friday, June 19, 2026 — Centre d'Astronomie, Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire (closing) — 9:30 PM
- 9:30 PM — Screening: « Le 3e loup » by Lisa Faulconnier (20 min)
- 9:50 PM — Screening: « J'ai égaré les ombres » by the Association des Amis de l'IFFCAM (39 min)
- 10:30 PM — Discussion with Apolline, Victor, Sarah and Coline (Amis de l'IFFCAM) and Lisa Faulconnier
Highlights Du Silex aux Étoiles 2026
- 3rd edition of the itinerant festival — 3 evenings in 3 departmental museums
- Opening Saturday, June 6 at Musée de Salagon (Mane): « Il était une forêt » by Luc Jacquet with Francis Hallé
- Saturday, June 13 at Musée de Préhistoire des gorges du Verdon (Quinson) — European Archaeology Days
- Closing Friday, June 19 at Centre d'Astronomie (Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire): two films from IFFCAM
- All screenings free upon reservation, at 9:30 PM
- Discussions with directors, scientists, and specialists at each session
Prices Du Silex aux Étoiles 2026
Practical information — Du Silex aux Étoiles
Access to Screening Sites
The "Du Silex aux Étoiles" festival is itinerant and takes place at three locations in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department:
- Salagon Museum — 04300 Mane. Tel: 04 92 75 70 50
- Astronomy Center — 04870 Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire. Tel: 04 92 76 69 69
- Museum of Prehistory of the Verdon Gorges — Route de Montmeyan, 04500 Quinson. Tel: 04 92 74 09 59
Schedule
Screenings begin at 9:30 PM and end around 11:00 PM. It is advisable to arrive early to fully enjoy the locations.
Prices
Free admission for all screening sessions and discussions with speakers.
Practical Advice
- Bring warm clothing for evening screenings.
- Screenings are held outdoors (subject to favorable weather conditions).
- Free parking is available at each of the three sites.
Contact
- Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
- Phone: 04 92 30 04 44 (Departmental Cultural Development)
- Website: www.mondepartement04.fr
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Where does it take place — Du Silex aux Étoiles
Musées départementaux des Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Immeuble François Cuzin, 4 rue de la Grave, 04000 Digne-les-Bains