five discoveries to make in night mode

THE MORNING LIST

At nightfall, the sea lights up intermittently, the woods become a playground or a cocoon, the stars are revealed but also Vaux-le-Vicomte is illuminated.

Climb to the top of the Carteret lighthouse

It is an invitation to a unique spectacle offered by the Carteret lighthouse at dusk (times vary depending on the sunset): watch the lighting of the lighthouse! Facing the Channel Island of Jersey, in the English Channel, Carteret’s light signal can be seen up to 50 kilometers offshore: one flash, two seconds of darkness, one flash, five seconds of darkness, one flash again and finally five seconds of darkness. Only the nocturnal visit allows you to get to grips with the essential function of the lighthouse, because if you can’t clearly distinguish the coast line, you can clearly see the lights of the boats which seem so fragile on the black sea. A small museum completes the experience, which tells the daily life of the guards. A detail: you must come with a flashlight to climb to the top!

Enjoy Vaux-le-Vicomte by candlelight

The castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte, 50 kilometers from Paris, near Melun, is a masterpiece of 17th century architecture. Built by Nicolas Fouquet, the superintendent of finances of Louis XIV, with too much magnificence, the castle caused the loss of its builder during festivals which overshadowed the Sun King in 1661. More than three hundred and fifty years later , the current owners, the Vogüé family, perpetuates the Vaux festivities every Saturday evening from May 14 to 1^er October, and now also on Friday evenings in July and August. Water games at dusk, flowerbeds of Le Nôtre illuminated with candles, filtered light to discover the paintings of Le Brun inside, the visit ends with a fireworks display which takes up the pyrotechnic paintings of 1661 as described by La Fontaine in his correspondence. You can also dine on site, on the grass or at the table, and even privatize the lantern of the castle for a candlelit dinner.

Stargazing on the Causses du Quercy

Scientists call it the “black triangle of Quercy”. Because, in the Causses du Quercy national park, in the Lot, the night is really dark. Without light pollution, in particular thanks to the municipalities labeled “Starry towns and villages” which do not light their streets after midnight, the night sky lets the stars shine to the delight of lovers of the stars. Three villages in particular – Limogne-en-Quercy, Reilhac and Carlucet – have developed spaces conducive to the installation of telescopes. But many accommodations located in the park are equipped with excellent observation equipment that they make available to their customers. Finally, astronomy clubs in Gramat and Gigouzac offer their expertise during events or outings. After a night in the black triangle of Quercy, the Milky Way and the Big Dipper will have no more secrets for you.

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