On 12 August 2026, a partial solar eclipse took place in the evening, visible from La Bresse and the Hautes-Vosges. Before the event, the tourist office announced 90.8% of the Sun’s surface covered at La Bresse and a maximum at 20:17. This page is kept as an archive.
What was announced for La Bresse
The tourist office page read on 14 July 2026 is no longer online: it returns a 404 error on 6 October. The figures above are therefore those announced before the event. Two sources re-read on 6 October point the same way:
- CNES describes a partial eclipse visible from all of mainland France, with a maximum in the evening while the Sun is low on the western horizon, and more than 95% of the disc covered depending on the region;
- a calculation published for Saint-Dié-des-Vosges gives 90.4% of the Sun covered and a maximum at 20:17.
To look back at evening conditions in the mountains, see the weather for La Bresse and the summits.
The five suggested viewpoints in the Hautes-Vosges
The La Bresse Hautes Vosges tourist office suggested five viewpoints with an opening to the west:
- the summit of the Hohneck, in La Bresse;
- the Haut du Roc, near Saulxures-sur-Moselotte, reached on foot;
- Notre-Dame de la Paix, in Cornimont, reached on foot;
- the Haut du Tôt viewpoint table, reached on foot;
- Chèvre Roche, in Vagney, reached on foot.
To understand the access and terrain of the first site, see our Hohneck hiking guide.
Eye protection
CNES stated that a solar eclipse, even a very deep partial one, must not be watched with the naked eye without suitable protection, and that glasses to the ISO 12312-2 standard are essential. This rule applies to any direct observation of the Sun.
Visiting the summits outside the eclipse
The viewpoints of that evening remain hiking and panorama sites. Our Route des Crêtes guide describes the area, and the La Bresse Hautes Vosges tourist office page remains the reference for upcoming events.
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Frequently asked questions
What time was the maximum of the 12 August 2026 eclipse at La Bresse?
The tourist office announced a maximum at 20:17 for La Bresse, from its page read on 14 July 2026 and since removed. An independent calculation published for Saint-Dié-des-Vosges also gives 20:17.
How much of the Sun was covered at La Bresse?
The tourist office announced 90.8% of the Sun's surface covered for La Bresse. The calculation published for Saint-Dié-des-Vosges gives 90.4%, and CNES states more than 95% depending on the region of France.
Which glasses were needed to watch the eclipse?
Protective glasses to the ISO 12312-2 standard, the only ones CNES mentions for viewing, even during a very deep partial eclipse.
Where did the tourist office suggest watching the eclipse?
Five spots with an opening to the west: the summit of the Hohneck, the Haut du Roc (Saulxures-sur-Moselotte), Notre-Dame de la Paix (Cornimont), the Haut du Tôt viewpoint table and Chèvre Roche (Vagney).