Association Française d'Astronomie

What Association Française d'Astronomie does

Association Française d'Astronomie (AFA) is a Paris-based non-profit organization (Association loi 1901) founded in 1946 that promotes amateur astronomy and public engagement with the science of astronomy across France. With 29 employees headquartered at 17 rue Emile Deutsch de la Meurthe in the 14th arrondissement, AFA operates a multi-brand portfolio including the Ciel & Espace magazine (ISSN 0373-9139), the Gallery Astro astrophotography print shop, the Astrojuniors children's program, and the Eclipse Info resource site. The association coordinates a national network of amateur astronomy clubs delivering more than 3,000 public animations per year, runs certified training programs (Petite Ourse, 1-2-3 étoiles), hosts major events such as Nuits des Étoiles, Festival des 2 Infinis, and Rencontres du Ciel et de l'Espace, and operates a training academy at Domaine des Bruyères in Carcans.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of streams: individual, associate, and benefactor memberships; e-commerce sales of telescopes (€299-€2,899), astrophotography prints (€79-€590), and premium décor items (up to €3,300) via boutique.afastronomie.fr; fees for multi-day astrophotography stages (€575-€615) and shorter training sessions; and Ciel & Espace magazine subscriptions (print via Abomarque, digital via Magento). Distribution runs through the own e-commerce storefront, newsstand sales of the magazine, in-person training locations, and direct sales at festivals. The underlying technology stack is conventional SaaS: Magento powers e-commerce and memberships, PhotoDeck handles the Gallery Astro print sales through a custom overlay, Mailchimp manages email newsletters, and Abomarque manages print and premium subscription lifecycles. Marketing combines organic social (Facebook, YouTube), email newsletters, the print magazine, the website, and a grassroots club network.

The association is led by President Olivier Las Vergnas, who also serves as Director of Publication, with Alain Cirou as Editorial Director of Ciel & Espace. As an Association loi 1901 entity, AFA is membership-governed and independent, financed through memberships, magazine subscriptions, boutique sales, training fees, and event partnerships with the Ville de Paris, the Région Île-de-France, and the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris. No revenue, parent company, or funding round data is disclosed in the available material.

Name

Association Française d'Astronomie

Legal name

Association Française d'Astronomie

Website

https://afastronomie.fr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Association Française d'Astronomie is a 1946-founded Paris non-profit (29 staff) that promotes amateur astronomy across France through a national club network, the Ciel & Espace magazine, certified training programs, festivals including Nuits des Étoiles, and an e-commerce boutique for telescopes and astrophotography prints.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Astronomy Education and Amateur Science Outreach

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Research & Science Fair Competitions (Science Fairs, Research Symposiums) (EDAMAGAL)

Keywords

• Astronomy education
• Amateur astronomy
• Science popularization
• Astronomy publications
• Astrophotography training

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership subscriptions: Individual, associate, and benefactor memberships providing access to events, training, and publications
2. E-commerce sales: Sale of telescopes, binoculars, eyepieces, astrophotography prints, art objects, and astronomy magazines through boutique.afastronomie.fr
3. Training programs: Fees for photography workshops, star-gazing courses, and astronomy formation programs like 1-2-3 étoiles and Petite Ourse
4. Photography stages: Multi-day astrophotography training at Carcans including accommodation and meals
5. Magazine publishing: Publication and sale of Ciel & Espace magazine and special issues

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Association Française d'Astronomie is a French non-profit that promotes public engagement with astronomy through certified training programs (1-2-3 étoiles, Petite Ourse), astrophotography stages and masterclasses, observation events and festivals (Nuits des Étoiles, Festival des 2 Infinis), the Ciel & Espace magazine, an online boutique selling telescopes, accessories and astrophotography prints, and a nationwide network of amateur astronomy clubs and schools. It also runs junior programs (Astrojuniors) and eclipse information resources (Eclipse Info).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ciel & Espace: The association's astronomy magazine publication covering astronomy news, science, and space exploration
• Gallery Astro
• Astrojuniors
• Eclipse Info
• Les Nuits des Étoiles
• Festival des 2 Infinis
• Rencontres du Ciel et de l'Espace

Products and services

• Ciel & Espace magazine Astronomy magazine for amateur astronomers and the general public, providing news, sky observation guides, and equipment reviews.
• Stage 1-2-3 étoiles training program Certified training program introducing participants to amateur astronomy observation skills, delivered through approved schools across France.
• La Petite Ourse certification Beginner-level astronomy certification course for novices, particularly younger audiences, delivered by approved trainers.
• Astrophotography stages at Carcans (Stage Photographique de Paysages Célestes) Multi-day astrophotography training course for digital camera owners, including accommodation and meals, held at Carcans in the Landes forest.
• AFA online boutique (boutique.afastronomie.fr) Online store selling telescopes, binoculars, eyepieces, astrophotography prints, art objects, astronomy magazines and special issues, plus training course registrations.
• Gallery Astro astrophotography prints Online gallery selling professional astrophotography prints, with prices ranging from €79 to €590, including premium prints and triptychs.
• Nuits des Étoiles (Nights of Stars) Annual nationwide public star-watching festival organized in partnership with local clubs, featuring observation nights and educational activities.
• Festival des 2 Infinis Annual astronomy festival in the Paris region featuring conferences, workshops and public observation events.
• Rencontres du Ciel et de l'Espace Major annual astronomy conference and gathering for amateur astronomers, featuring talks, workshops and equipment demonstrations.
• Astrojuniors program Junior astronomy education program for children, offering immersive shows, magic performances, and hands-on space science activities.
• Eclipse Info Online resource providing eclipse-related information, educational content, viewing aids, and eclipse-specific training programs.
• Online astronomy and photography courses Online courses covering astronomy fundamentals and astrophotography techniques, delivered via the association's website.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Invitez les étoilesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2023Partnership for Astrojuniors events featuring immersive shows under the century-old dome at Parc Montsouris, offering astronomical experiences for children aged 5 and up.
• Louis l'Astro-magicienminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2023Magic shows about star birth presented at Astrojuniors events, combining entertainment with astronomy education for young audiences.
• SpacebusminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2023Mobile astronomy education unit providing meteorite identification workshops and hands-on space science activities at events.
• Fondation Victor Lyon (CIUP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2023Host venue for Astrojuniors conferences at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, providing amphitheater facilities.
• Ville de PariscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Major supporter of the Festival des 2 Infinis, providing financing and institutional backing for the annual astronomy festival in Paris.
• Cité Internationale Universitaire de PariscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Host venue for Festival des 2 Infinis events and Astrojuniors activities, providing facilities for conferences and workshops.
• Région Ile-de-FranceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Regional government providing support for the Festival des 2 Infinis programming and activities.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Royal Astronomical Society: The UK's senior professional astronomy society with membership, journals, and public outreach—comparable in institutional role but more research-focused than AFA's amateur-centric mission.

Direct peers

• Société Astronomique de France: Founded in 1887, the SAF is the historical French amateur astronomy association offering lectures, observations, publications, and youth programs—directly comparable to AFA in mission, geography, and audience, with overlapping but distinct membership bases.
• The Planetary Society: US-based nonprofit advocating for space science, education, and outreach through member programs, publications, and global events—comparable to AFA as a mission-driven membership organization funding public engagement with astronomy.
• Sky & Telescope: Iconic amateur-astronomy magazine and events brand covering equipment, observation guides, and community—comparable to Ciel & Espace as a paid consumer astronomy publication with associated events.
• Astronomical Society of the Pacific: Long-standing US astronomy education nonprofit producing publications, teacher resources, and public programs—comparable to AFA in its combination of content publishing, education, and community engagement around amateur astronomy.
• British Astronomical Association: UK national amateur astronomy association running observing sections, meetings, and publications—closely comparable to AFA in serving amateur astronomers through structured activities and a printed journal.
• Astronomical League: US federation of amateur astronomy societies coordinating member clubs, observing programs, and conventions—a structural peer to AFA's national club network in delivering standardized amateur astronomy programming.

Emerging players

• Cité de l'Espace: Toulouse-based space theme park and education center offering exhibits, planetarium shows, and family events—comparable to AFA's Festival des 2 Infinis and Astrojuniors as a French venue-based astronomy education destination.
• Stardome Observatory & Planetarium: Auckland-based observatory and planetarium combining public shows, school programs, and membership events—comparable to AFA as a smaller-scale astronomy education nonprofit combining ticketed experiences with community engagement.

Regional players

• Astronomische Gesellschaft: Germany's national astronomical society, with members across academia and amateur communities—comparable in scope to AFA but operating primarily in German-speaking markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/afastronomie
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkuZYpfHrvceE-gNaj1dqMQ/feed
• Facebookfacebook.com/afastronomie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-fran%C3%A7aise-d-astronomie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association Française d'Astronomie