Odeillo solar furnace

The facility spans 54 meters in width and 48 meters in height, containing 63 heliostats that direct sunlight to a central focal point.

Professor Felix Trombe established the first solar furnace in Mont Louis during 1949, leading to the construction of this facility between 1962 and 1968.

The research center represents French innovation in renewable energy, continuing ancient Mediterranean traditions of harnessing solar power for practical purposes.

Visitors can access the exterior grounds and read information panels about the facility, while the nearest train station connects through the Little Yellow Train route.

The furnace generates temperatures reaching 3500 degrees Celsius through 9600 mirrors, equivalent to concentrating the energy of 10000 suns at a single point.

Location: Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via

Elevation above the sea: 1,535 m

Address: 7, rue du Four-Solaire

GPS coordinates: 42.49390,2.02920

Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:37