On the evening of August 12, 2026, the Moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow on a narrow band crossing the Atlantic, Spain and the Balearic Islands. This is where the eclipse will be total - a few minutes of complete darkness, solar corona visible to the naked eye, a sudden temperature drop.
From mainland France, the event will be partial: the Moon will cover between 60% and 90% of the solar disc depending on latitude, with a maximum expected around 8:30 PM CEST. The South-West will be best positioned, with Biarritz and Toulouse having the highest magnitudes. Paris will see about 70% of the Sun covered, Strasbourg slightly less.
Caution: even at 90% obscuration, the residual light intensity remains dangerous. ISO 12312-2 certified glasses are essential throughout the event.
The solar eclipse of August 12, 2026 is one of the most anticipated astronomical events of the decade in Europe. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes exactly between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow on the Earth's surface. A total eclipse occurs where the lunar disc completely covers the Sun; elsewhere, the eclipse is partial, with only a fraction of the solar disc obscured.
On August 12, 2026, the totality band will cross the Atlantic and northern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Spanish Basque Country, Aragon, Catalonia) before reaching the Balearic Islands. From Bilbao, San Sebastián or Zaragoza, the total eclipse will last up to 1 minute 50 seconds. From France, the event will be partial: magnitude will reach 0.9 in the south-west (Biarritz, Pau, Toulouse) and drop to around 0.65 in Paris and Strasbourg.
To safely observe a partial solar eclipse, certified eclipse glasses are essential. These glasses, compliant with ISO 12312-2 standard, filter 99.99% of visible, ultraviolet and infrared solar radiation. Never use ordinary sunglasses, photographic film or improvised filters: retinal damage caused by direct observation of the Sun is irreversible. Our interactive simulator lets you calculate the magnitude, duration and exact time of the maximum from any point in France or Spain.