Don’t Miss Friday’s Lunar Eclipse in France: Where and When to Watch?

This Friday, a lunar eclipse will grace the French skies. Find out the best locations and times to witness this spectacular astronomical event.

A Rare Celestial Spectacle

Astronomy enthusiasts are in for a rare treat as a total lunar eclipse is set to occur tomorrow night. This event may be visible in parts of France.

The Moon’s Red Hue

During the total lunar eclipse on the night of March 13 to 14, 2025, our natural satellite will adopt a coppery color. This celestial phenomenon, which happens only twice a year, will be followed by a partial solar eclipse two weeks later.

The reddening of the Moon is due to the perfect alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon during a full moon phase. As the Moon passes into Earth’s shadow, it loses its bright white shine but does not go completely dark. The coppery color results from sunlight being filtered and bent by Earth’s atmosphere into the shadow.

Observation in France

The eclipse will last about six hours, with the totality phase lasting just over an hour. In mainland France, the total eclipse will occur between 07:26 and 08:31, peaking at 07:58, according to the Institute of Celestial Mechanics and Ephemeris Calculation (IMCCE).

Only residents in the western part of Brittany will be able to enjoy the total phase at dawn if the skies are clear. Elsewhere, the Moon will have already set, although the western part of the country can still witness the event, but early risers will be necessary.

An Upcoming Solar Eclipse

Shortly afterward, on March 29, a partial solar eclipse will occur, visible over eastern Canada, Europe, northern Russia, and northwest Africa.

A solar eclipse happens when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align perfectly, with the Moon blocking the Sun, either partially or totally. In mainland France, it will start at 09:50 and end at 13:43, with the peak at 11:47.