Brittany will be the best place to watch this week’s lunar eclipse in France
The longest view will be in Ouessant, the small island off the far west of the region
During a total lunar eclipse, the moon does not disappear completely; instead, it takes on a reddish colour
Chris Harwood/Shutterstock
Brittany, in western France, is expected to be the best place to get a view of the total lunar eclipse on March 14 (weather depending).
A total lunar eclipse happens when the earth is perfectly aligned between the sun and the moon. This causes the moon to be in shadow by the earth.
The eclipse will happen fast over the rest of France, but will be particularly visible from Brittany. Certain areas in the region are even better-placed; Finistère is expected to have 11 extra minutes of visibility than Rennes, for example, to witness the eclipse before it disappears.
The longest view will be in Ouessant, a small island off the west of Brittany (see below).
What are the timings of the lunar eclipse?
In Rennes on March 14:
04:44: The eclipse will technically begin, but will not be visible to the naked eye yet
05:56: Start of the partial eclipse. The earth's shadow begins to gradually move over the moon
06:09: Start of the best visibility across France
07:13: The total eclipse begins. The moon turns red
07:28: The moon disappears below the horizon before the end of the totality phase.
How can I watch a lunar eclipse?
Unlike solar eclipses, a lunar eclipse can be watched with the naked eye, without any special equipment. However, you can improve your chances of a good view by:
Choosing a good observation site, with a clear view to the west
Move away from sources of light pollution (cities, street lighting) for a better contrast in the sky
Binoculars or a telescope will enable you to see things in more detail, such as the shades of colour that appear on the lunar surface.
Why does the moon change colour during a total eclipse?
During a total lunar eclipse, the moon does not disappear completely. Instead, it takes on a reddish colour.
This is due to the refraction of sunlight by the earth's atmosphere, which only allows certain, particularly red, wavelengths to pass through. The same phenomenon gives us red sunsets.
Other eclipses
If you miss this one, the next total lunar eclipse will take place on September 7, 2025, from 20:38.
Similarly, a partial solar eclipse is set to be visible throughout France on March 29. This eclipse is known as ‘partial’, because a ‘full’ eclipse would mean that the moon is perfectly aligned between the sun and the earth. This March the moon will only partly pass in between.
Read also: Solar eclipse in March: The best places in France to see it
This is set to be visible from France from late morning until early afternoon. This time the best place to see it will be in Dunkirk, followed by Bordeaux, and Biarritz.
