Prepare to update your screen savers, desktop backgrounds, and lock screens…
Today we made the 45 minute journey from Bagneres-de-Bigorre to the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, or Pic du Midi, which is one of the higher peaks in the Pyrenees at 2,877 m. When we arrived at the base of the mountain the temperature was approximately 18ºC…when we stepped off of the gondola it was approximately 4ºC!
What makes this mountain top interesting is not the beautiful perfectly formed, snow capped peak you may imagine. Rather, there is a world renowned observatory located there.
A private group of amateur astronomers who decided to build an observatory, began doing so in 1878 with the construction of a 2-storey building 8m x 20m long. All of the materials, tools, etc. had to be brought to the top of the mountain by donkey, as there were no roads in.
Over the next 122 years the site would be greatly expanded to include telescopes from 55 cm in diameter to 2 m; chronographs, used to study the sun; pylons with specialized lightning rods used to study the nature of electricity in lightning; and a communications tower. The observatory today looks like a futuristic moon-base!
The basis of the observatory’s existence was amateur astronomy. To maintain this connection to the past, the observatory supports a 60 cm amateur astronomy telescope, called T60, which is managed by a volunteer group called Association T60. I think it is great that the government allows a portion of this facility to be used solely for amateurs.
Leading up to the historic moon walk of Neil Armstrong in 1962, NASA invested in instrumentation for the Pic observatory. As part of their mission preparation they took detailed photographs of the moon’s surface to better understand the landing area.
And not a bad view, either…
There are two ways to get up to the observatory: you can hike or you can take the cable car. We tried both!
Our attempt to hike to the top started at one of the well known points of the Tour du France, the Col du Tourmalet at 2,115 m. We made it a good way up the mountain, then found a huge valley between ourselves and the Pic…
In the end we took the Gondola ride to the top.
Overall it was an interesting tour to the observatory. Between the science of astronomy and the gorgeous views, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
If you’d like to see a webcam with the current weather conditions at Pic du Midi, click here!
Comments
14 responses to “Have a Peek at the Pic du Midi!”
Hi, to all, this is so totally amazing. The only word is “Wow”! Love the history and especially the photos, and as always enjoy to see you all in a photo. XOXO’s
Hi Mom, it quite the view from up there, and really amazing to read the stories of how they built it – manually, without any cranes etc.
Oliver
Very, very interesting Oliver. What great places you are finding to explore and like your mom, great to see a family photo. You all look terrific! doreen
Hi Doreen,
We’re trying to explore everywhere we can, especially when we have a base like we did while “farm-sitting”! Another benefit of getting off the tourist trail a bit!
We’re all feeling great!
Oliver
That’s awesome! And 4 degrees? Much better than the -12 it is here!
Hi Anastasia,
I’ll admit that 4C is better than -12C. But we’d been used to between 18 and 23, so going to 4 was a bit of a shocker for us that day! 🙂
Oliver
That is wonderful trip! Enjoy to see you all in a photo too!
Hi Amy,
We’re having a great time…I hope you’re enjoying the posts!
Oliver
Ditto everyone else ‘s comments re the pics. I am getting vertigo just looking at them!! Cannot imagine lugging all those building supplies, never mind the needed equipment for the observatory up to that peak!!! Those were some dedicated and patient folks.
Hi Herta,
I would say that at the time they were building the observatory, those were the days of “manly men” !! Some of the other pictures I saw at the observatory featured these guys with huge handle-bar mustaches in t-shirts working away in the snow! Definitely a Movember workout!
Oliver
What stunning views! Thank you for sharing this information. I learned something new by reading your blog today 🙂
Hi Maria,
The views were phenomenal…And glad you learned something from the post as well! I hope you continue to enjoy all of our posts!
Oliver
I enjoyed the history commentary along with all the wonderful photos. Mom P.
Hi Baba,
It was actually really interesting to learn about the construction of the observatory. I found it particularly interesting about NASA funding some of the equipment and work there in support of their moon landing.
And the photos – well, it was really easy to take good photos when the subject is so beautiful!
Oliver