Richard Francis
Former ESA project manager and long-time astronomer Richard Francis hosts the evening with clarity, patience, and technical depth.
Dark-sky activity in Gers
A scientific observatory made for nights that stay with you.
GersAstronomie welcomes travellers, couples, families, and curious photographers to a private observatory above La Romieu. Richard Francis brings long scientific experience, clear explanations, and a rare sense of stillness under the Gascon sky.
Low light pollution, wide horizons, and a private observatory in the hills above La Romieu.
At the observatory
A private observatory above La Romieu.
A working observatory
Guests spend the evening in an observatory used for real observing and imaging, with a large telescope and equipment chosen for dark-sky work.
Above La Romieu
The observatory fits naturally into an evening in the Gers: village streets, dinner nearby, then a quieter night under the stars.
One observatory, two ways to enter the night sky.
Start with an exclusive stargazing evening if you want the atmosphere, the telescope views, and a lucid introduction to what you are seeing overhead.
Choose the astrophotography route if you want a more technical, creative night centred on image acquisition, gear, and the craft of translating deep sky data into photographs.
Clear guidance under the stars
No prior astronomy knowledge is needed. The evening is paced so the sky stays understandable and memorable.
Experiences
Choose the evening that fits how you travel.
Choose between a stargazing evening and a more technical astrophotography session.
A two-hour evening where the night sky becomes legible.
Guests see bright planets when available, the Moon when conditions are right, and a rotating selection of deep-sky objects such as clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. The pace stays calm, conversational, and responsive to the group.
For guests who want the sky as data, craft, and image.
The astrophotography offer suits two kinds of guests especially well: photographers travelling light who want access to a capable setup, and motivated beginners who want to understand the process from planning through acquisition and early processing logic.
An evening that fits naturally into a stay in La Romieu.
Spend the late afternoon in the village, have dinner nearby, then head up to the observatory after dusk.
- Easy to combine with village visits, local dining, and countryside accommodation
- Well suited to couples, families, and curious travellers
- A calm evening with dark skies, telescope views, and time to look properly
Gallery preview
Deep-sky images from the observatory.
A few images captured at Le Bourdieu Observatory.
IC5070, Pelican Nebula
NGC2244, Rosette Nebula
NGC7000, Cygnus Wall
Questions before you choose an evening
These are the practical questions guests usually ask first.
What is the best season for stargazing in Gers?
There is no single perfect season. Spring and autumn often balance darkness, temperature, and comfort well. Summer can be beautiful but nights are shorter.
Why are full moon dates restricted?
Because bright moonlight reduces contrast and makes faint deep-sky objects harder to see.
Do guests need astronomy knowledge?
No. The experience is designed to work for curious beginners as well as guests with a stronger technical interest.
Can the evening be hosted in English?
Yes. Sessions can be hosted in English or French.
If you already know your dates, we can shape the right evening.
Tell us when you will be in the Gers, how many people are coming, and whether you want stargazing, astrophotography, or something more bespoke.