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Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Biarritz & Bayonne

Biarritz and Bayonne come astonishingly close: about 99.4% of the Sun is covered — the deepest partial eclipse of anywhere in France — and yet this is still not totality. The path edge lies just to the south, and that last fraction of a percent changes everything.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~20:26 CESTBasque coast · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse

Duration~1h 47m of partial eclipseThis is the full partial eclipse from first to last contact. There is no totality here — the Sun is never completely covered, so there is no corona and no moment when it is safe to look without protection.

Sun altitude~8° above the WNW horizonlow in the west — an open horizon is essential

Coverage99.4% (partial)Biarritz & Bayonne is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 99.4% of the Sun is covered at maximum — a deep partial eclipse, but not a total one. The corona never appears and the sky does not go dark.

Clear-sky odds Often clear · ≈66%South-western France is usually warm and settled in mid-August, though Atlantic cloud can push inland and the Pyrenees generate their own late-day build-ups.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Below: the exact timings for the Basque coast, why 99.4% still is not totality, the Atlantic viewpoints, and the very short drive that gets you into the path.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~19:31 CESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~20:26 CESTPartial — ~1h 47m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~21:14 CESTPartial ends ~21:18 CEST

The partial eclipse runs from about 19:31 to 21:18 CEST, with maximum coverage of 99.4% at around 20:26. The Sun sets at 21:14 CEST, during the eclipse — so the later stages happen below the horizon and an open west-northwest view is essential.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Grande Plage and the Rocher de la Vierge

Coast · open Atlantic

Unobstructed sea horizon

Biarritz's seafront looks straight out over the Atlantic with nothing in the way — the cleanest possible western sightline, and a spectacular setting.

Phare de Biarritz

Lighthouse · elevated

Height plus sea view

The lighthouse headland gives extra elevation above the bay and a wide sweep of open ocean.

Bayonne riverfront

Riverside · sheltered

Open along the Adour

Slightly inland, Bayonne's riverfront offers an open corridor west along the Adour and a different weather draw if the coast fogs in.

Anglet beaches

Coast · long open sand

Room and an open horizon

The long beaches between Biarritz and Bayonne give space and an unbroken western outlook, with less pressure than the Grande Plage.

Cross into Spain — totality is 40 minutes away

The real thing

Just over the border

This is the single most important thing on this page. The path of totality begins a short drive south — San Sebastián is not in it, but Vitoria, Logroño and Bilbao are. From Biarritz you can be inside the path in under an hour. Do not settle for 99.4%.

Local astronomy societies and science centres often organise safe public viewing with filtered telescopes — worth checking closer to the date.

Plan your trip

Where to stay near the eclipse

Accommodation around the viewing area for eclipse night (11–13 Aug 2026). Compare hotels and rentals live on the map below.

The weather call

Will the sky be clear?

The Basque coast gets an extraordinary 99.4% eclipse with the Sun a workable 7-8° up, and the Atlantic gives a completely open western horizon.

This coast is cloud-prone even in August, with sea haze common.

And being this close to the path edge is a reason to travel, not to stay.

Plan the day

Your eclipse-day checklist

Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses — one pair per person
Glasses stay ON for the entire eclipse — there is no safe moment here
An open west-northwest horizon — the Sun is only ~8° up
Arrive before 19:31 to catch first contact

Check the cloud forecast in the final 48 hours
Never look through a camera, phone or binoculars without a proper solar filter
Pinhole projection is a safe way for groups to watch together
If you want totality, it is northern Spain — not here

Watch it safely

However you’re watching, watch it safely

Every Absolute Eclipse product is independently certified and made in the EU. There’s no safe moment to look unaided here — keep certified eyewear on the entire time.

ISO 12312-2 certified
CE · EU 2016/425 PPE
Made & shipped in the EU

Biarritz & Bayonne eclipse FAQ

Will Biarritz & Bayonne see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

No. Biarritz & Bayonne is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 99.4% of the Sun covered at maximum. That is a striking sight through eclipse glasses, but it is not totality — the corona does not appear, the sky does not go dark, and there is no moment when it is safe to look without protection. The path of totality crosses northern Spain.

What time is the eclipse in Biarritz & Bayonne?

The partial phase begins at about 19:31 CEST and maximum — 99.4% coverage — comes at roughly 20:26 CEST. The Sun sets at 21:14 CEST, during the eclipse — so the later stages happen below the horizon and an open west-northwest view is essential.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Biarritz & Bayonne?

Yes, for the entire eclipse without exception. This is the most important difference from a total eclipse: because the Sun is never fully covered, there is never a safe moment to look with the naked eye. Even at 99.4% coverage the remaining sliver is dangerously bright. Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE glasses stay on from start to finish.

Where should I watch from in Biarritz & Bayonne?

The Sun is only about 8° above the horizon at maximum, so you need an open, unobstructed view to the west-northwest. Buildings, hills and trees in that direction will hide the deepest phase.

Biarritz gets 99.4% — isn't that basically a total eclipse?

No, and this is the most important misunderstanding about the 2026 eclipse. That remaining 0.6% sliver is still tens of thousands of times brighter than the corona. The sky will not go dark, the corona will not appear, stars will not come out, and you can never take your eclipse glasses off. The path of totality is under an hour's drive south — from Biarritz, that drive is the difference between watching a partial eclipse and seeing a total one.

Will the weather be clear in Biarritz & Bayonne on eclipse day?

South-western France is usually warm and settled in mid-August, though Atlantic cloud can push inland and the Pyrenees generate their own late-day build-ups.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Zdroje: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (počasí) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Časy jsou místní (CEST).