Shortages of solar eclipse viewing glasses expected in France
French health authorities are warning of potential shortages of solar eclipse glasses ahead of the August 2026 solar eclipse. Officials advise citizens to purchase protective equipment early to avoid last-minute supply issues.
Why it matters
Ensuring public access to safety equipment is critical for preventing eye injuries during a major astronomical event.
Viewing glasses for the solar eclipse, in Béziers, France, August 5, 2026. GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP Will there be a last-minute rush in stores to try to get solar eclipse viewing glasses? This astronomical phenomenon, during which the Moon completely blocks the Sun, will be visible on Wednesday, August 12, along a path that crosses the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, France, then Portugal and northern Spain, ending at the island of Mallorca. The eclipse, which will be partial in France, can be observed around 7 pm in the north and as late as 9:30 pm in the south.
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