Saint-Michel-L'observatoire: Vacation Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Centre d'Astronomie de Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire conveys scientific culture throughout the year and to all target groups. The Observatoire de Haute-Provence, or OHP for short, is a scientific observation centre of the CNRS for astronomy, atmospheric sciences and ecology.

When planning a trip to Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire around the Centre d'Astronomie, you may wish to rent a holiday apartment.

Astronomy and Cultural Heritage

The Planétarium de Haute-Provence combines the screening of an immersive film with a guided and narrated presentation of the sky. In 1995, the first exoplanet, 51 Pegasi b, was discovered at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence using the 1.93-metre telescope and the ELODIE spectrograph.

The Observatoire de Haute-Provence offers public guided tours on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays during the Zone B school holidays; the Christmas and winter holidays are excluded. The Église Haute, also known as the Église Saint-Michel, dates from the 12th century. The Église Saint-Michel is listed as a Monument Historique.

The Tour romane de Porchères is a military tower from the 12th century. A footpath through the village's old streets is marked with panels tracing the history of astronomy.

Nature and Trails

The “Balade de l'Observatoire” offers panoramic views of the Craux, Mount Lure and the Valensole Plateau. The 236-kilometre tourist cycling route “Autour du Luberon en vélo” passes through Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire.

Mountain bike route no. 14, “Le Tour des Etoiles”, leads around the telescopes and the Centre d'Astronomie. The signposted circular route “Les lumières du Luberon” begins in Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire and takes three or four days.

Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire is associated with the Parc naturel régional du Luberon as a destination for nature, cultural heritage and observing the night sky.

Geographical Location

Regional bus routes connect Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire with Manosque and Forcalquier.

Other destinations: Noyers-sur-Jabron, Les Omergues, Sainte-Tulle, Beynes, Valbelle, Volx, Les Mees, Mison

To the higher-level travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.