The Millevaches Plateau, 5th "International Dark Sky Reserve" - Haute-Corrèze Tourisme

It is now official, the Regional Natural Park of Millevaches in Limousin has just been recognized as an International Dark Sky Reserve by the jury of the International Dark-sky Association.

We can now say it

THE PLATEAU OF MILLEVACHES IS THE 4TH INTERNATIONAL RESERVE OF STARRY SKY OF FRANCE AND THE 19TH OF THE WORLD.

This label will allow a better visibility of the territory and will bring new opportunities for astronomy, education, culture, biodiversity, tourism and energy related to the resource “night”. Indeed, this label “certifies” in a way that by coming to the territory of the Regional Natural Park of Millevaches in Limousin, the tourists are assured to discover an exceptionally starry sky, with a low light pollution.

I wanted to see the stars, to see them as well as in my childhood. So I went far from the cities. In search of a real night, a very dark night, because only pure darkness allows us to see far. Our madness with lights makes us blind. I finally found the right observatory, a plateau. I quickly understood why it was called “des Mille Vaches”… Because, better than anywhere else, you can see the Milky Way.

Erik Orsenna, from the French Academy

Park Information

The Parc Naturel Régional de Millevaches en Limousin works with tourist offices to promote rural areas and sustainable tourism destinations.

After several months of genesis, the platform “Destination Parcs” is now launched: destination-parcs.fr. This platform is intended to be the showcase of the “rural Utopia” in French Parks, designed to highlight the best – and different – in the field of meeting the actors of change.