Festival des Étoiles

An astronomy festival in an exceptional location

The Festival des Étoiles is held every summer at Planète Mars, the Hubert Reeves astronomical observatory, located in the hamlet of Saint Romain le Désert, in the commune of Mars (07320), in Haute Ardèche. This observation site, nestled at over 700 meters above sea level in an environment preserved from light pollution, offers ideal conditions for observing the night sky. The festival is part of the national Nuits des Étoiles, an event created by the French Astronomy Association (AFA).

Sky observations and scientific conferences

The Festival des Étoiles program revolves around sky observation with the naked eye and telescopes, guided by the scientific mediators of CCSTI de l'Ardèche and the passionate volunteers of the Mars Astronomy Club. Conferences are given by renowned scientists: in 2025, astrophysicist Jean Lilensten from CNRS presented a conference on polar auroras, accompanied by a demonstration of the Planeterrella, an aurora simulator created by the association AurorAlpes. Other conferences cover various topics such as the expansion of the universe or orientation in the starry sky.

Educational workshops and family activities

The Festival des Étoiles offers numerous educational workshops suitable for all ages, from 7 years old. Mini-conferences for beginners allow participants to learn how to read star charts and navigate constellations. Children can participate in practical workshops for building water rockets and solar observation with adapted instruments. Guided tours of the observatory complete the program, allowing visitors to discover the astronomical instruments and the functioning of an observatory.

A show by an astrophysicist-magician

Among the festival's highlights is an original show by an astrophysicist-magician, which blends science and performing arts to amaze young and old alike. This innovative format illustrates the Festival des Étoiles' commitment to making astronomy accessible and fun, going beyond simple scientific popularization to offer a true live performance experience under the stars.

Free and open to all

All activities at the Festival des Étoiles are completely free. The festival runs from 4 PM to 1 AM, offering a transition between daytime activities and nighttime observations. A refreshment stand is available on-site, and organizers recommend visitors bring blankets for outdoor observations. The festival takes place regardless of the weather, with conferences and workshops held indoors in case of bad weather conditions.