Northern lights in Annecy tonight

Seeing the northern lights from Annecy

Annecy, at 45.9° N in the heart of the Alps, combines a moderate latitude with a mountainous environment that offers exceptional altitude observation points. Auroras become visible from Kp 7.5. The Aravis and Bauges massifs give access to skies that are rare in France, and Lake Annecy provides a photogenic foreground.

Observation conditions in Annecy

Bortle 7 in the city. The Glières plateau (Bortle 3, 25 km east) and the Semnoz (Bortle 4, 12 km south) are sought-after by amateur astronomers. The Croix de Bauzon and the Aravis pass offer altitude horizons. Dry winter air provides exceptional transparency, particularly above 1500 m.

Recent auroras from Annecy

10-11 May 2024 (Kp 9): spectacular red aurora over the lake, viral photos from the Sevrier reedbed. 24 March 2024 (Kp 8): observations from the Semnoz. 5 November 2023 (Kp 7): sightings from the Glières plateau.