Land of stars Look up to the sky

The name “Terre d’étoiles” is a recent one. It refers to the exceptional quality of the night sky in the Châtaigneraie region. Far from the big cities, the low level of light pollution makes it easy to observe the constellations and the Milky Way. This commitment to preserving the sky is recognised by the national label “Territoire de Villes et Villages Étoilés” (Starry Towns and Villages).

The name also evokes the many experiences on offer to discover the universe: planetarium, Chemin aux étoiles, astronomy courses and observations of the night sky.

The “Starry Towns and Villages” label is awarded by theAssociation Nationale pour la Protection du Ciel et de l’Environnement Nocturnes (ANPCEN).

It is awarded not to a single municipality, but to an area that is collectively committed to reducing light pollution and preserving the night sky.

In the case of the Pays de la Châtaigneraie, it is all the communes involved that contribute to this recognition.

The label is awarded on the basis of a practical analysis of public lighting practices across the region.

A number of factors are taken into account:

• Lighting schedules (total or partial switching off in the middle of the night)
• The type of luminaires used (ground-level, glare-free lighting)
• Light intensity and colour
• Limiting unnecessary lighting (buildings, low-traffic areas)
• Consistency of actions between local authorities

The classification ranges from ★ to ★★★★★ (1 to 5 stars). It is based on a precise assessment using a number of criteria:

• Night-time switching off of public lighting (total or partial)
• Orientation and intensity of luminaires
• Limiting unnecessary lighting (signs, monuments, low-traffic areas)
• Use of energy-saving technologies (adapted LEDs, colour temperature)
• Raising residents’ awareness of night-time issues

The more action a local authority takes, the more stars it gets.

The Pays de la Châtaigneraie boasts a particularly well-preserved night sky, recognised by the Territoire de Villes et Villages Étoilés (Starry Towns and Villages) label.

Far from the cities and light pollution, there are many starry villages where you can admire the Milky Way and the constellations with the naked eye: Marillet, La Chapelle-aux-Lys, La Tardière, Puy-de-Serre, Saint-Pierre-du-Chemin, Cheffois, Saint-Hilaire-de-Voust, Loge-Fougereuse, Saint-Maurice-des-Noues, Le Breuil-Barret, Cezais, La Châtaigneraie, Mouilleron-Saint-Germain and Bazoges-en-Pareds.

Yes, the Planetarium at La Chapelle-aux-Lys offers immersive 360° dome sessions throughout the year. These projections allow you to discover the solar system, the history of the universe and the major astronomical phenomena, in a format accessible to all.

The Chemin aux Étoiles is an open-air educational trail in La Chapelle-aux-Lys.

It consists of two walks: one devoted to theHistory of the Universe up to the Big Bang (4.6 km) and the other to discovering the Solar System (1.7 km). A fun way to learn more about the universe.