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UNDER THE SAME SKY

A NIGHT AMONG THE STARS

At 2,200 meters above sea level, the sky reveals its truest form. The Observatoire François-Xavier Bagnoud invites you into the silence and wonder of the night, guided by experts, shaped by nature, and shared with just a few.

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The Observatoire François-Xavier Bagnoud (OFXB) sits at 2,200 meters, making it one of the highest-altitude observatories accessible to the public in Switzerland. Its unique setting atop the Saint-Luc plateau offers a rare vantage point, far above the valley floor, where the sky opens wide and uninterrupted.

designed for discovery

A Dome Among
the Peaks

Designed for both research and public education, the dome houses advanced telescopes that reveal planets, galaxies, and constellations with remarkable clarity. Thanks to the region's exceptional dark sky conditions, the observatory becomes an unforgettable window into the cosmos.

The evening sky is brought to life by passionate experts from the Saint-Luc observatory community. These aren't just guides, they're astronomers, educators, and lifelong skywatchers.

those who know the sky

Stargazing
WITH MEANING

The specialists, Michaël Cottier, José Rodrigues and Nicolas Wälchli, are deeply connected to this mountain and its celestial rhythms. Their knowledge is both scientific and poetic, helping guests see not only stars, but stories in the sky.

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The observatory is equipped with professional-grade telescopes, including a Ritchey-Chrétien reflector housed inside the main dome, similar in design to those used by NASA. These instruments allow for remarkably clear, high-contrast views of distant planets, star clusters, and nebulae.

Professional equipment

Precision
in Every
Detail

During your visit, guests are invited to observe through multiple setups, each selected for optimal viewing based on the night's conditions. Whether it's Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, or the textured surface of the Moon, the precision of the equipment ensures each glimpse into the universe is crisp, vivid, and deeply moving.

the best equipment

Every session is led by experienced astronomers, passionate about sharing their knowledge of the cosmos. Their guidance turns stargazing into a story, one that connects scientific discovery with awe and wonder. You won't just look at the stars; you'll begin to understand them.

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evscope2
Featuring a digital eyepiece designed, the EVSCOPE 2 is the most advanced, most immersive smart telescope on the market. Its state-of-the-art technology enables astronomers to experience the Cosmos like never before and play a part in advancing our understanding of the Universe.
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vespera II
Made for both beginners and seasoned astronomy enthusiasts, Vespera II embodies the seamless fusion of a camera and a telescope, enabling anyone to connect with the stars.
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TTS-160 Lite mount
The TTS-160 Panther Lite is a lightweight and compact manual Alt-Az mount designed for seamless visual astronomy. Its design allows it to accommodate telescope Askar 151 and Celestron 14.

the best astronomers

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Michaël Cottier

Science Communicator

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José Rodrigues

Astrophysicist - Exoplanet Expert
Digital Observatory Manager

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Nicolas Wälchli

Physicist. Secondary school teacher
Science communicator