Photo: Mariette / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Bordeaux

Bordeaux gets one of the deepest partial eclipses in France — around 97.5% of the Sun covered — and sits only a short drive from the edge of the path of totality in northern Spain.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~20:24 CESTNouvelle-Aquitaine · 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

Coverage97.5% (partial)Bordeaux is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 97.5% 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

Bordeaux gets one of the deepest partial eclipses in France — around 97.5% of the Sun covered — and sits only a short drive from the edge of the path of totality in northern Spain.

Below: Bordeaux's exact timings, the riverside and open viewpoints, why 97.5% is still not totality, and how close you actually are to the real thing.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~19:29 CESTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~20:24 CESTPartial — ~1h 47m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~21:13 CESTPartial ends ~21:16 CEST

The partial eclipse runs from about 19:29 to 21:16 CEST, with maximum coverage of 97.5% at around 20:24. The Sun sets at 21:13 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

Miroir d'Eau and the Garonne quays

Riverside · central

Open water, wide sky

The reflecting pool and the long quays give central Bordeaux its most open western sightline, with the river widening the view and the option of the eclipse mirrored in the water.

Pont de Pierre / Pont Chaban-Delmas

Bridge · open

Long view down the river

The bridges give a clean, low view along the Garonne with nothing blocking the west — useful as the Sun descends through the deepest phase.

Parc Bordelais

Park · open ground

Space and open sky

A large open park in the west of the city with room to spread out and an unobstructed outlook, away from the crowds on the riverfront.

Dune du Pilat / Arcachon

Coast · elevated

Europe's tallest dune

An hour west, the great dune above Arcachon Bay gives height and a completely open Atlantic horizon — one of the most dramatic settings in France for a low western Sun.

Two hours to totality

The real thing

Northern Spain

Bordeaux is genuinely close to the path. The Spanish border is around two hours south, and totality — Burgos, Palencia, Valladolid — is reachable in a morning's drive. At 97.5% you are close enough that the trip is very much worth making.

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?

South-western France is usually warm and settled in mid-August, and Bordeaux keeps the Sun around 7-8° up at maximum.

The Garonne gives an open corridor through the city.

Atlantic cloud can push inland during the evening.

Worth watching the forecast, though at this Sun altitude scattered cloud is survivable.

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 19:29 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

Bordeaux eclipse FAQ

Will Bordeaux see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

No. Bordeaux is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 97.5% 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 Bordeaux?

The partial phase begins at about 19:29 CEST and maximum — 97.5% coverage — comes at roughly 20:24 CEST. The Sun sets at 21:13 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 Bordeaux?

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 97.5% 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 Bordeaux?

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.

Is 97.5% almost as good as totality in Bordeaux?

No — and the gap is much bigger than the numbers suggest. Even a 2.5% sliver of the Sun is thousands of times brighter than the corona, so the sky stays blue, the corona never appears, and you can never remove your eclipse glasses. Totality is a different phenomenon, not a deeper version of this one. Northern Spain is a few hours south.

Will the weather be clear in Bordeaux 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

Kilder: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (vejr) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Tidspunkter er lokale (CEST).