A total solar eclipse is a rare astronomical phenomenon. The next one will take place on April 8, 2024 and Quebec will be in the front row: several regions will see the sun disappear, the sky darken and the stars appear in the middle of the afternoon, an absolutely astonishing spectacle. We are already organizing activities to observe the event in complete safety.
“Everyone is mobilizing,” enthuses Lysandre Michaud-Verreault, director of communications at Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est.
The path of the eclipse will follow a narrow corridor across North America, passing notably through Dallas, Cleveland, Buffalo, the Adirondacks, then through Montérégie, the Eastern Townships and Center-du-Québec. , before crossing Maine and New Brunswick and passing right on the Magdalen Islands.
There is an essential website for planning your strategy, designed by specialists in astronomy and popular science. Everything is there: scientific explanations about the phenomenon of eclipses, observation advice, a list of activities in the regions and maps to find the most suitable places for contemplation.
The Eastern Townships will undoubtedly be at the heart of the event, and Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est does not intend to miss the opportunity: it is about attracting visitors and, if possible, get them to spend a few days in the area.
“The period of totality, that is when the Moon covers the Sun and we see the sort of solar corona, it is in the Eastern Townships that it lasts the longest, approximately three minutes and a half, underlines Lysandre Michaud-Verreault. From start to finish, the entire eclipse will last two hours. We invite people not to travel simply for this phenomenon, but to take advantage of it to organize a slightly more complete stay. »
The region has a major asset: the Mont-Mégantic Astrolab. In the afternoon of April 8, Mont-Mégantic National Park will offer four hours of entertainment on an outdoor stage. However, places are limited and tickets are expected to sell out quickly.
Those who have not managed to obtain the precious passes can go to downtown Lac-Mégantic to admire the eclipse. There are large open areas, which are conducive to observation. There are also restaurants and cafes there, to get something to eat before and after the event.
Lysandre Michaud-Verreault argues that the region is renowned for its dark sky reserves in Mégantic and Glen Sutton. But there will also be action in the rest of the region.
There will be public gatherings in Sherbrooke and the surrounding area, notably at the Center de foires and the Center Julien-Ducharme.
At Mount Hereford, in the Coaticook Valley, a 13-kilometer hike will be organized to observe the eclipse at the summit. Again, you will need to reserve, places will be limited.
Bromont’s public square, a mountain of experiences, will also welcome visitors with a special event. In the Granby region, it will be possible to observe the phenomenon at the Granby Zoo and the Lake Boivin Nature Interpretation Center.
For its part, Yamaska National Park will broadcast images from Mont-Mégantic live on a giant screen.
Lysandre Michaud-Verreault notes that normally, the beginning of spring is rather calm from a tourist point of view. The eclipse comes at a good time, on a Monday afternoon, which opens the door to planning a long three-day weekend.
“We are in the process of coordinating the sector so that tourist businesses remain open around the solar eclipse, on Monday and Tuesday, so that there is momentum for visitors, so that there are several activities. »
Downtown Montreal will also be in the path of the eclipse, but a little further to the margins: the event will last a little shorter than in the Eastern Townships, i.e. 1 minute 25 seconds.
So there is no need to waste time. The Montreal Science Center will offer scientific activities right in front of its building, in the Old Port, on a clear location. At Jean-Drapeau Park, experts from the Planetarium will also be on site to interpret the phenomenon. In both cases, glasses will be distributed free of charge.
In the coming weeks, we can expect regions that are partially in the path of the eclipse to organize local events to observe the event. We think of Montérégie, Centre-du-Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches.
In the Magdalen Islands, there are normally fewer businesses open and fewer tourist activities during this time of year.
“However, the quality of the activities remains present,” argues Frédéric Myrand, communications officer at Tourisme Îles-de-la-Madeleine. That is to say that during the off-season, there is greater proximity to producers, artisans and residents, which will greatly influence the stay of visitors. And the vast majority of accommodations are open all year round. »
