On Wednesday 12 August 2026, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from Bauduen. At 20:24, the sun will be 95.6% obscured. A suspended moment not to miss.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of it.
What is a solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon slips exactly between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow onto a narrow band of the Earth’s surface. By a remarkable coincidence, one of the Solar System’s most elegant balances, the Moon is 400 times smaller than the Sun but also 400 times closer to us: their apparent diameters are identical. For a few minutes, daylight fades and reveals the solar corona, the plasma halo around our star that can only be seen at that moment.
One or two solar eclipses happen each year, but the Moon’s shadow only touches Earth over a band a few hundred kilometres wide. The chance that a given place is crossed by totality is low: it takes about 400 years on average before a total eclipse returns to the same spot. In France, the last total eclipse visible was on 11 August 1999. The next one, for Paris, is scheduled for 3 September 2081.
On 12 August 2026, the band of totality passes through the south of Europe, mostly Spain. Metropolitan France gets an exceptionally deep partial eclipse: up to 99% obscuration in the south and west of the country. Bauduen sits at 95.6%. For most people, it will be a rare sight, one that usually requires an intercontinental trip.
The programme in Bauduen
- 18:30: talk by an astrophysicist, Karim from the astronomical observatory. A passionate guide who will answer any question you throw at him.
- 19:30: eclipse begins
- 20:24: maximum eclipse, 95.6% obscuration
- 20:40: sunset
- 21:14: end of the shadow (not visible, sun already set)
The maximum falls 16 minutes before sunset. The eclipse plays out in already-low, raking light, which is going to make the moment particularly beautiful.
Safety: don’t take any risks
Never look at the Sun with the naked eye. Even at 95.6% obscuration, the remaining 4.4% will burn your retina in a few seconds, without you feeling anything in the moment. The damage is permanent.
Use only certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2 standard, CE marking). You’ll find them at pharmacies, at the tourist office or online. Plan on one pair per person. Always inspect your solar filter before use: if it’s scratched, punctured, torn or otherwise damaged, discard it.
Even with the glasses, don’t look at the sun for more than 2 to 3 seconds every 5 minutes or so. That’s the recommendation from the American Astronomical Society (AAS).
Sunglasses, CDs, photo negatives, smoked glass: not enough. Nothing replaces proper certified eclipse glasses.
Where to watch
According to EclipseMap data, Bauduen is one of the best spots around Lake Sainte-Croix to watch this eclipse, alongside the plateau de Valensole which is also very well positioned. The horizon is clear to the west, where the sun descends at the moment of the maximum.
If you’re staying in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Aiguines, Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon or Les Salles-sur-Verdon, don’t worry. On the ground, two things make the difference: the western horizon in the direction of the eclipse, and what’s in the foreground.
Open the interactive map on eclipsemap.xyz →
In Bauduen, you have the chance to watch the eclipse over Lake Sainte-Croix, with the setting sun reflecting on the water.
On site, a few options, in particular the little beaches along the trail past L’O à la Bouche, walking on. Avoid spots blocked by relief to the west, or you’ll lose the sun before the maximum.
Click the map to open it interactively. You’ll see the eclipse’s trajectory, and the horizon clearance at the exact spot you’re standing.
After the eclipse: the Perseids, then the Apéro
Once the sun has set and the shadow has passed, the sky show carries on: that night, the Perseids, the most famous meteor shower of the year, will be near their peak activity. Look up after dark.
To wind down, head to Les Apéros Sunset du Verdon, the new guinguette Pierre runs at the edge of Bauduen (the same Pierre behind Verdon Bike Location). Open every evening in July and August. Terrace, a drink, a little menu to snack on, the night falling slowly.
Not a bad way to close out an eclipse.
Some information is drawn from the press dossier of the Association Française d’Astronomie.
For more: Summer 2026 in Bauduen · our secret spots in Bauduen.
Where to stay?
We're fully booked during the eclipse. There are still 364 other days a year to see Bauduen without certified glasses ;)