Photo: Mariette / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Éclipse solaire partielle · 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.

Éclipse partielle Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~20:24 CESTNouvelle-Aquitaine · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse

Durée~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.

Hauteur du Soleil~8° above the WNW horizonlow in the west — an open horizon is essential

Couverture97.5% (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.

Probabilité de ciel dégagé 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.

Compte à rebours jusqu'au maximum

—jours —h —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.

Le déroulé

Quand l'éclipse a lieu

~19:29 CESTDébut de la phase partielle — première morsure dans le Soleil

~20:24 CESTPartielle — ~1h 47m of partial eclipse. Lunettes à retirer seulement en cas de totalité.

~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.

Où s'installer

Les meilleurs endroits pour observer

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.

La météo

Le ciel sera-t-il dégagé ?

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.

Planifier la journée

Votre checklist pour le jour de l'éclipse

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

Observer en toute sécurité

Quelle que soit votre façon d'observer, faites-le en sécurité

Tous les produits Absolute Eclipse sont certifiés de façon indépendante et fabriqués dans l'UE. Il n'y a aucun moment sûr pour regarder à l'œil nu — gardez des lunettes certifiées en permanence.

Certifié ISO 12312-2
CE · UE 2016/425 EPI
Fabriqué et expédié dans l'UE

FAQ sur l'éclipse en Bordeaux

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.

Continuez d'explorer le couloir

Régions voisines depuis où observer

● Partielle

Sources : timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (météo) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Les heures sont locales (CEST).