Marseille Observatory
The Marseille Observatory was abandoned by Marseille astronomers in the mid-20th century for more modern telescope sites located further away from cities. Today, it is managed by the Andromeda association, which offers numerous visits, events, exhibitions, conferences, and observations throughout the year. Are you planning to visit Marseille and wondering "What to do in Marseille"? While there is no shortage of activities in Marseille, there is one that will delight both young and old: the Observatory.
The history of the Marseille observatory
More than just a museum, it's a place that reflects the history of Marseille and will delight all astronomy enthusiasts. It was the Jesuits in the Panier district who created the Marseille Observatory in 1702. It was with this telescope that Jean-Félix Adolphe Gambart discovered 16 comets. The 1960s marked the end of the observatory with the creation of the Laboratory of Space Astronomy of Marseille (LAS). It wasn't until the 2000s that the two entities merged to form the Marseille-Provence Astronomical Observatory.
Today, the establishment consists of several spaces:
- The planetarium, offering open-sky discovery sessions open to all
- A room for temporary exhibitions
- The dome of the astronomical telescope: a 19th-century installation
- The exhibition hall with Foucault's telescope: other ancient astronomical instruments are also on display at the Observatory.
Activities at the Marseille observatory
The Andromeda association offers a wide range of activities on the Marseille Observatory site. Upon reservation, guided tours with an introduction to astronomy are offered to primary and high school students with presentation and explanations of the various observation instruments. It is also possible, weather permitting, to practice safe solar observation. The duration of this initiation is on average 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Planetarium sessions are also available for 4-5 year olds, 6-11 year olds, middle school students, and high school students. Presentation of the sky, planets, and constellations are on the agenda, followed by a visit to an instrument such as the astronomical telescope dating from 1872 or Foucault's telescope. You can also visit on your own: opening hours allow visits every afternoon, from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm during school holidays and Wednesday afternoons the rest of the year.
Located in the 4th arrondissement, you will find many restaurants in Marseille where you can dine nearby.
So don't hesitate during your stroll in Marseille to plan a visit to the Observatory. You'll get to discover Marseille and its starry sky!