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Overview
- The solar eclipse will peak on Wednesday, August 12 in the early evening and will be partial across France with obscuration ranging roughly from 90% in the northeast to about 99% in the southwest.
- Authorities and astronomy groups require CE‑marked eyewear meeting ISO 12312‑2:2015 for any direct viewing and advise limiting each continuous viewing sequence to about three minutes with breaks.
- Ordinary sunglasses must not be used and binoculars, telescopes, cameras or phones must have dedicated solar filters because unfiltered optics can badly injure eyes and damage camera sensors.
- Retailers, pharmacies and opticians report heavy demand and frequent stock shortages with higher prices, prompting free distribution efforts and DGCCRF checks of counterfeit or degraded products.
- Solar retinopathy can be painless and show symptoms hours later so anyone with blurred vision, a dark central spot or distorted sight after viewing should see an ophthalmologist or go to emergency services.