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Who: French photographer Gilles Vidal of gillesvidal.com.

Where: Pyrenees, France, near Bagnères de Bigorre, France

What: Pic du Midi Observatory (altitude of 2860m/9,300 ft.), operated by the University of Toulouse and historically famous for its planetary, lunar and solar studies. Gilles Vidal has created a series of eight fullscreen panoramas of Frances’ highest astronomical observatory, including the terraces, the museum, the telescope and the two cupolas. Gilles' panorama 'la Coupole Baillauld', taken directly on top of the cupola, makes one feel as if they are on some mystical observatory in the sky, surrounded by clouds beneath.

Located in the southwest of France, Gilles observes that it is a mythical place in the history of astronomical observation with a reputation that has long extended beyond its borders. The first buildings were built in 1873 in order to create a weather station. Then gradually, the observation of the sun and stars became its priority.

Visitors to the Pic summit can see almost the entire Pyrenees mountain range at a glance, from the Basque Country to Andorra, and at night, you can even see the lights of Biarritz (93 miles away), Toulouse, and the halos of light in Barcelona (150 miles away).

The cable car takes fifteen minutes from the Gare de La Mongie (altitude of 1800m/5,905 ft.) at the bottom of the summit, with a stop at the Gare du Taboulet (altitude of 2341m/7,680 ft.), while a sound commentary traces the history of the site and the scientific work that is carried out there, such as meteorology, study of the ozone layer, lightning, earth tremors and the medical effects of high altitude. The Observatory was even used by NASA to help prepare precise maps of the moon in preparation for the Apollo missions.

The Pic du Midi was recently opened for off-piste skiing.

Certain dates are significant in the Pic's history (provided by Gilles Vidal):
- 1878: the weather station settles definitively with summon Pic
- 1908: construction of the Baillaud cupola
- 1930: invention of the coronographe by Bernard Lyot
- 1952: creation of the first cable car
- 1957: installation of the television transmitter
- 1963: collaboration with NASA for the Apollo missions (cartography of the Moon)
- 1980: startup of the telescope of two meters Bernard Lyot
- 1998: inauguration of the new scientific buildings
- 2000: open to the public

When: “This series of photographs was carried out twice,” Gilles writes. “The first series was made at the end of June and the second one mid-July.” Gilles remained on the spot for five days.

Why: “Mrs Alix Howard (manager of the Web-agency Sumotori in Toulouse - France) and I had the idea to contact the director of the Pic du Midi to propose a virtual tour of the Observatory. Enthusiast Olivier Guyonneau, the site's director, allowed us to shoot whatever we found most interesting,” explains Gilles.

“I think that I am very lucky taking these photographs; the site is really exceptional! The first series is done. And they asked me to return on the spot to make new panoramas!!! I'm delighted!”

How: “I am accustomed to using a Canon EOS 300D, equipped with a Canon objective 17-40 mm f/4L, assembled on an Agno’s head, Quickly QT and a Manfrotto tripod 055. I had to take 32 photographs to make a spherical view. For the assembly I used Stitcher 4.0 (which can do wonders!!!); and I finalized the visual ones with Photoshop.

“It is the weather that created the most difficulties for me: difficult to make photographs when one is drowned in the clouds, or when it snows (even in July!). It's necessary to know to wait and to be patient. Always bound to the weather, there is also another difficulty: the light changes at a phenomenal speed! The colors of the sky of course, but also the mountains and the buildings can change aspect very quickly: a treat for the eyes but a true problem to make panorama.

”Finally it should not be forgotten that the Pic du Midi accommodates many researchers and scientists, who do not always have the possibility of stopping everything to let me take photographs but, as a whole, all went marvelously fine! A superb memory that I hope to renew! “

Visit Gilles Vidal’s portfolio of virtual tours, particularly the Canal du Midi, Venezia Serenissima and his virtual visit of Toulouse.
See Gilles Vidal’s virtual tour of the Pic du Midi Observatory.
More information on the Pic du Midi.
Email: gilles[at]gillesvidal[dot]com