Astr'Auvergne Festival

Astr'Auvergne Festival: Astronomy Accessible to All in the Heart of Auvergne

Since its creation in 2019 by the InfiniSciences association, the Astr'Auvergne Festival has won over an ever-wider audience with its unique formula: an entirely free event that makes astronomy and space sciences accessible to everyone. Located at the Stade Chatrousse in Chamalières, at the foot of the majestic Chaîne des Puys, the festival benefits from an exceptional natural setting, between volcanoes and starry skies.

Exceptional Conferences

Each edition of the Astr'Auvergne Festival hosts leading figures from the space and scientific world. The evening conferences, scheduled for 9:30 PM, are the highlights of the event. Astronauts, astrophysicists, and observatory directors come to share their passion and discoveries with the general public. In 2025, the festival notably welcomed astronaut Philippe Perrin, astrophysicist Yaël Nazé from the University of Liège, and Rémi Cabanac, scientific director of the Pic du Midi Observatory.

An Astronomy School for Children

The festival gives a privileged place to young audiences with its astronomy school, open every morning from 10 AM to 12 PM for children aged 4 to 12. Supervised by science educators, children discover the solar system, constellations, and celestial phenomena through fun and educational workshops adapted to their age.

Night Observations and Activities

Every evening, after the conferences, the public is invited to observe the sky through telescopes provided by local astronomy clubs. The observations allow attendees to contemplate the Milky Way, planets, nebulae, and other wonders of the cosmos from the privileged setting of Chamalières.

The AstroQuizz, scheduled every evening at 7:30 PM, invites festival-goers to test their astronomical knowledge in a friendly atmosphere, with astronomical prizes to be won. Thematic round tables complete the program, addressing topics such as conspiracy theories in space sciences or the latest advances in space exploration.

A Growing Biennial Event

Organized every two years, the Astr'Auvergne Festival has seen remarkable growth since its first edition in 2019. With over 3,000 participants at its last edition, it has become an essential event for scientific culture in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, supported by the French Astronomy Association and regional institutions.