The eclipse of 12 August: where can it be seen?

The eclipse will begin at around 7.20 pm, reach its peak at around 8.15–8.20 pm, with nearly 95 per cent of the Sun obscured, and then end at around 9.12 pm. The phenomenon will take place at the end of the day, with the sun low on the western horizon.

No. The Pink Granite Coast lies outside the path of totality, which runs through northern Spain and the Pyrenees. In Brittany, the percentage of the sun’s surface obscured will be around 95 per cent: a spectacular phenomenon, but one that will not result in total darkness.

On 12 August 2026, the sun will be very low on the western horizon at the time of the eclipse’s maximum. It is therefore essential to choose a location with a completely unobstructed view to the west: cliffs, rocky headlands or beaches opening out to the open sea. Locations situated below the horizon or facing a different direction will not allow for optimal viewing.

Make the most of your visit to explore:

• the beaches

• the GR®34 walking trails

• the ‘Petites Cités de Caractère®’

• the coastalrestaurants

• or even the summer events on offer in the area

Watching an eclipse is also a wonderful opportunity to (re)discover the Pink Granite Coast.

No. Even with 95 per cent of the Sun obscured, the remaining 5 per cent is sufficient to cause serious and irreversible eye damage. It is essential to wear glasses certified to ISO 12312-2:2015 for the entire duration of the eclipse, including at the moment of maximum.

You can find certified eclipse glasses at our Tourist Information Offices or directly from our online shop.

Buy my special eclipse sunglasses

Compliant glasses are marked ‘ISO 12312-2:2015’ on the arms or the packaging. They provide several thousand times more protection than ordinary sunglasses. Under no circumstances should you use standard sunglasses, X-rays or photographic developing film.

Glasses certified to ISO 12312-2:2015 are on sale at tourist information offices along the Côte de Granit Rose, or directly from our online shop, or at the Planétarium de Bretagne in Pleumeur-Bodou and at the Cité des Télécoms. We advise you to plan ahead: stocks run out quickly as the event approaches.

Yes, using indirect projection: make a small hole in a piece of card and project the image of the Sun onto a white surface. This pinhole technique is safe and suitable for everyone, particularly children. Whilst it does not allow you to see the details of the eclipse, it remains a safe alternative if you do not have certified eclipse glasses.

All the sites listed on this page offer an unobstructed view to the west, which is essential for the best possible viewing experience. The choice depends on your preferences: a wild, unspoilt setting (Pors Scaff, Beg ar Forn), a panoramic sea view (Castel Erek, Pointe du Dourven), a legendary site (Couronne du Roi Gradlon, Port-Blanc), a high vantage point (Goariva), or an urban location (the Brélévenez steps).

We recommend that you arrive before 7 pm so that you can choose your pitch and settle in at your leisure. The most accessible and best-known sites will be busy, so it’s best to plan ahead, especially in the middle of August.

The weather in Brittany remains unpredictable, even in August. If the sky is overcast, the phenomenon will still be visible as a noticeable drop in ambient light. To maximise your chances, check the weather forecast the day before and consider heading to a location sheltered from the clouds. The Brittany Planetarium will also be hosting indoor events centred on the eclipse, whatever the weather.

Yes, provided that you ensure the children wear certified glasses at all times. The pinhole camera technique (projection onto cardboard) is particularly suitable for young children. The Brittany Planetarium also offers educational activities on the eclipse, suitable for children of all ages.

The answer is fascinating: it’s highly likely!
As far back as the Neolithic period (over 6,000 years ago), the builders of megaliths in Brittany were keen observers of the sky. Whilst the alignments of menhirs and dolmens were precisely oriented according to the solstices and equinoxes, several archaeoastronomers believe that certain megalithic complexes also served as ‘calculators’ for predicting the cycles of the Moon and eclipses. Watching the eclipse on 12 August from our region is therefore a chance to reconnect with a fascination with the heavens that dates back several millennia!

The last total solar eclipse visible from mainland Europe took place on 11 August 1999. The next total eclipse visible from mainland France is not expected until 2081. The eclipse on 12 August 2026, with 95 per cent of the Sun obscured along the Pink Granite Coast, is therefore an exceptional event not to be missed.

Yes. The Brittany Planetarium, located in Pleumeur-Bodou, is the region’s scientific hub for the event. Throughout the week of the eclipse, it is offering special dome shows, talks led by astronomers and educational workshops for children. On the evening of 12 August, a guided viewing session will also be organised.
Find the full programme on their website.

Yes, noticeably so. An eclipse with 95 per cent coverage can cause unusual behaviour in animals: seabirds may return to their roosts, nocturnal insects may become active, and the temperature may drop locally by a few degrees. On the Pink Granite Coast, near the Sept-Îles Nature Reserve, this phenomenon may be just as visible in the natural world as it is in the sky.