As part of the 18th national edition of the Night of the Night, taking place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, the municipality of Saint-Étienne-du-Grès invites its residents and visitors to an evening dedicated to discovering the nocturnal environment and preserving nature. This initiative is part of the municipal policy of daily nocturnal light shutdown implemented since 2022.
The event aims to raise public awareness about the challenges of light sobriety, including the protection of nocturnal wildlife, the preservation of biological rhythms and sleep quality, as well as managing energy consumption and the communal carbon footprint.
The evening will begin at 5:45 PM at the Mas de Pommet for a welcome. At 6:00 PM, a twilight hike of approximately 4 kilometers, led by the association Alpilles Rando, will take participants to Notre-Dame du Château to observe the sunset.
At 7:30 PM, a bring-your-own-food meal, organized on the principle of zero waste, will be held on the chapel's esplanade. The evening will continue at 8:30 PM with the gradual extinguishing of the village lights, allowing observation from the elevated site of the public lighting system's progressive switch-off.
Starting at 9:00 PM, an astronomical activity will begin with a tale about the legend of Andromeda and Perseus, hosted by Nadège, the municipal librarian, followed by an introduction to reading the star map. A guided walk back with various animations is scheduled for 9:45 PM, with municipal shuttle services provided to connect to the Mas de Pommet parking areas.
It is recommended to bring warm clothing, shoes suitable for trail walking, a water bottle, and a flashlight or headlamp (to be used only for safety needs). The route is hilly and not suitable for strollers or individuals with reduced mobility.
