Due to the Tour de France passing through the area and traffic restrictions, the Pic du Midi will be closed for the day. The Maison du Tourmalet will be open to visitors for snacks, drinks, and souvenir shops.
Experiences area
The Experience Area
Every day, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
1:00
At the summit of the Pic du Midi
The "Experiences" area was designed to let visitors fully immerse themselves in the scientific adventure at the Pic du Midi.
Across nearly 500 m² of exhibition space, visitors are transported into the world of the Pic du Midi. The journey begins with a scientific adventure, followed by an exploration of the Pic du Midi International Dark Sky Reserve, then the historical instruments and artifacts used at the Pic du Midi, and finally the Observatory’s dome.
Through interactive experiences, digital media, and immersive films, this is a unique way to get to know the Pic du Midi!
1. The Science Area
Once visitors cross the threshold, they are immersed in a space that symbolizes the scientific world of the Pic du Midi Observatory. On the walls, massive nighttime images by photographer Jean-François Graffand offer a view of the Pic du Midi and its observatory beneath skies brimming with stars. The five major scientific fields to which the Pic du Midi contributes are represented by five platforms floating in a space of light and shadow. Conveying knowledge through a sense of wonder is the guiding principle behind these displays.
At the center of each platform, visitors discover an illustration that gradually unfolds to tell the story of the scientific theme. This “illustrated story” approach offers a fun and visually appealing way to grasp the key concepts of each theme. After learning about a theme through this story, visitors can try out the experiments and interactive activities featured on each platform.
2. The World of the International Dark Sky Reserve
In just a few steps, you can travel from the plain to the mountaintops and discover the differences in lighting and sky conditions between the city, the valley, the mountains, and, of course, the Pic du Midi. Depicted all around these discs are the constellations of the northern hemisphere.
The stars are linked together by the celestial poems and aphorisms of great authors (Victor Hugo, Baudelaire, Saint-Exupéry, García Márquez, Isabel Allende, Hugo, Musset, Bruand...). Nature, contemplation, and poetry come together to best convey the values that inspire the RICE at the Pic du Midi.
3. The Gallery of Wonders
This exhibition is dedicated to the treasures of the Observatory—whether they are scientific instruments, porters’ bags, or everyday objects spanning 140 years of history. Unique and exceptional pieces are on display here, including Bernard Lyot’s second coronagraph, the Lunar Atlas from the Lunar Manchester Program, and Ramond de Carbonnières’s barometer canes. Over the past several years, an inventory of these objects has made it possible to create an initial collection for the preservation of this material heritage; this inventory is still ongoing.
4. The Observatory Dome
The Observatory Dome takes you deep into the secrets of an astronomical observatory and invites you to discover a series of images captured using professional instruments. This unique immersive experience offers a deeper understanding of the work of scientists and the observation of the sky from the summit of the Pic du Midi. This 15-minute experience is freely accessible during your visit to the summit, every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.