Alfred Faure

Alfred Faure is a research station situated on a plateau at the eastern end of Île de la Possession in the Crozet Islands. The facility stands at 143 meters elevation and houses modern laboratories for meteorological, seismic, biological, and geological measurements.

The station was established in 1963, replacing an earlier temporary base on the island. It took its name from Alfred Faure, who served as the leader during the early years and helped establish initial operations.

The station draws researchers who work there regularly and gather data daily in this remote location. This working community shares a strong bond with the harsh landscape and scientific collaboration in one of the world's most isolated research settings.

The station connects to the coast through a 1.6-kilometer (1 mile) road and is difficult to access by other means. The research vessel Marion Dufresne delivers supplies and rotates personnel several times each year.

This location receives only about 600 hours of sunshine per year, making it one of the darkest inhabited research sites on Earth. Temperatures range from about 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit) in warmer months to roughly minus 7 degrees Celsius (20 degrees Fahrenheit) in winter.

Location: Crozet Islands

Inception: 1963

Elevation above the sea: 130 m

GPS coordinates: -46.43230,51.85820

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:01