To mark the start of the 2026–2027 academic year, the University of Toulouse is highlighting the nomination of the Pic du Midi and its observatory for World Heritage status. ISAE-SUPAERO, as a member of the EPE University of Toulouse, is joining forces with and fully supporting this unifying project that brings together heritage, cutting-edge research, education, and the local region.
The Pic du Midi and Its Observator
For more than 140 years, the Pic du Midi has been home to a scientific community dedicated to observing the universe, the Earth, and the atmosphere. At an altitude of 2,877 meters, this pioneering site bears witness to a unique relationship between the mountain, the men and women who bring it to life, and the knowledge that is developed there. It is this exceptional continuity that forms the basis for the nomination of the Pic du Midi and its observatory as a cultural landscape.
A living heritage, looking toward the future
The proposed heritage designation does not aim to freeze the summit in time. On the contrary, it highlights a historic observatory that remains an active center for research and innovation. Scheduled for installation in 2025 at the Bernard Lyot telescope, the SPIP infrared spectropolarimeter opens up new possibilities for detecting and characterizing exoplanets, studying the magnetic fields of stars, and gaining a better understanding of how new worlds form.
This cutting-edge science also relies on upgraded infrastructure. Opening its doors to its first groups in 2024, the Dauzère-Soler building will provide a better environment for scientists and students, with new workspaces, meeting rooms, and accommodations. It will enable the development of research missions, field-based teaching, and interdisciplinary collaborations at the summit under exceptional high-altitude conditions.
A Project That Brings Together the University and Its Region
Led by a public interest group comprising the University of Toulouse and the Joint Association for the Promotion of Tourism at the Pic du Midi, the bid brings together the French government, national research organizations, local authorities, local stakeholders, and mountain communities. It demonstrates that a region can play a role in addressing major global challenges through knowledge, cooperation, and the preservation of a shared heritage.
For the University of Toulouse, this bid aligns with the development of the experimental public institution destined to become a “grand établissement”: a research university that is more integrated, more recognizable on the international stage, and increasingly open to society. By choosing the Pic du Midi as the central theme for the start of the academic year, the University invites its entire community to support a project that combines heritage and the future.
KEY POINT: The nomination, submitted by France to UNESCO in January 2026, is scheduled to be reviewed by the World Heritage Committee in the summer of 2027.
The ISAE-SUPAERO Astronomy Club
The ISAE-SUPAERO Astronomy Club (CAS) brings together students from the school who are passionate about space and astronomy, with the goal of discovering and sharing the wonders of the universe, both with the naked eye and through astrophotography.
The club, which regularly visits the Pic du Midi Observatory, focuses in particular on observing the deep sky and planetary objects, and organizes observation nights to photograph celestial objects such as the Moon, the Pleiades, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Orion Nebula.
A significant portion of the club’s activities is devoted to astrophotography: the club has observation and photography equipment, and members then process the images using specialized software such as DeepSkyStacker, Iris, RegiStax, and GIMP.
A few photos of the ISAE-SUPAERO Astronomy Club
Follow their work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sup_astro_/
Related Content
News
ISAE-SUPAERO launches its Student Life Master Plan for 2026–2031Having a rich, fulfilling, and globally minded student life is part of ISAE-SUPAERO's DNA. To further enhance this experience, the Institute has now adopted a Student Life Master Plan (SDVE) for the period 2026-2031, a unique roadmap that embodies its strategic vision and supports its ambition: to offer an attractive, inclusive living environment that is conducive to the success of every student.
Institute
Student life
Pages
Our RankingsFor over 100 years, ISAE-SUPAERO has been committed to excellence. Forerunners and inventors, our alumni have been at the forefront of many technological innovations in the aerospace industry. True to our mission of training engineers of the highest scientific level who are innovative, committed and capable of mastering the complex challenges of tomorrow's world, we rank among the top engineering schools by many national and international criteria.
Institute
Prize
Ranking
News
Launch of the new ISAE-SUPAERO website: our showcase for excellence!Aerospace
Institute
Pages
An Illustrated History of our SchoolHisis will enable you to follow the many transformations that the ISAE-SUPAERO engineering school has undergone. ISAE-SUPAERO was created in October 2007 from the merger of two engineering schools in Toulouse, the École Nationale Supérieure d'Ingénieurs de Constructions Aéronautiques (ENSICA) and the École Nationale Supérieure de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace (SUPAERO), both under the supervision of the French Ministry of Defence.
Aerospace
History
Institute
News
The Origins of SUPAERO: Two Previously Unpublished Archives Offer a Deep Dive into the School’s HistoryNous mettons aujourd'hui à la disposition de toute notre communauté deux documents sur Marc Pélegrin d'une valeur historique rare.
Alumni
Institute
News
The first Franco-Korean workshop dedicated to the challenges of cryogenic hydrogenThe global aviation industry is facing an urgent challenge: significantly reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrogen, thanks to its unique properties and considerable energy potential, appears to be a promising solution and could play a key role in the aviation sector's energy transition.
Aeronautics
Decarbonization
News
Pages
Our NewsroomIn our Newsroom, you can access all the information you need to find out more about our brand, our logos, our rankings, our news, our carousels of videos and testimonials, read our press releases and view our main communication media (brochures).
Networks
News
Press
Events
Digital Clean Up WeekEvent
Institute
News
Henry DE PLINVAL, portrait of ISAE-SUPAERO's new Director of Research and Educational ResourcesHenry de Plinval arrived on the ISAE-SUPAERO campus last August, and has taken up his new post as the school's Director of Research and Educational Resources. Portrait of Henry Plinval.
News
Portrait
Research
Pages
Our Core FoundationsMarie-Hélène Baroux, President of ISAE-SUPAERO, presents the 10 foundations that make our Institute a world leader in higher education and research in aerospace engineering. At ISAE-SUPAERO, students, teachers-researchers, alumni and partners interact to develop innovative solutions to today's technological and industrial challenges. They help to position our Institute as a major player in the transition of the civil and military aerospace sector.
Aerospace
Institute
News
CUBE ÉTAT Awards Ceremony: ISAE-SUPAERO Takes the Top SpotFrom November 2024 to November 2025, ISAE-SUPAERO participated in the second edition of the CUBE État competition. This national challenge pits government buildings against one another with a noble goal: to achieve maximum energy savings by focusing solely on adjustments and usage patterns.
Corporate responsibility
Institute
Prize
News
Figures for the start of the 2025 academic year at ISAE-SUPAEROAt the start of the 2025 academic year, ISAE-SUPAERO is welcoming nearly 882 new students from all disciplines!
Aerospace
Institute
Pages
Our GovernanceThe Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace is a public scientific, cultural and professional establishment under the supervision of the Minister for the Armed Forces, constituted as a grand établissement within the meaning of article L. 717-1 of the French Education Code. Our Institute is administered by a Board of Directors and managed by a President, assisted by a Training Council and a Research Council. Our governance bodies at ISAE-SUPAERO give pride of place to representatives of industry, academic institutions and alumni.
Governance
Institute
Pages
Our Labels, Accreditations and CertificationsOur Institute is committed to a quality approach, covering both our programmes and our organisation. As a result, ISAE-SUPAERO has numerous labels, accreditations and certifications, demonstrating that our teaching and structures are adapted to the expectations of our future students and recruiters.
Accréditation
Aerospace
Certification
News
The ISAE Group welcomes ENSPIMA, a Graduate School specialising in aeronautical maintenanceThe ISAE Group has taken a new step forward by welcoming ENSPIMA (École Nationale Supérieure pour la Performance Industrielle et la Maintenance Aéronautique) as a partner school. This integration, formalised by the signing of an agreement on 11 February 2026 between Loïc Lavigne, President of ENSPIMA, and Marie-Hélène Baroux, President of ISAE-SUPAERO, strengthens the group's expertise in the strategic field of civil and military aircraft maintenance.
Institute
News
ISAE-SUPAERO acquires an innovative new additive manufacturing equipmentISAE-SUPAERO and the Institut Clément Ader (ICA) have just acquired a new Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) machine. This cutting-edge equipment opens up new prospects for research, teaching and innovation in the aeronautical field.
Aeronautics
News
Research
News
The 2025 Edmond Brun Prize from the French Academy of Sciences awarded to Annafederica Urbano, professor at ISAE-SUPAEROOn October 28, 2025, the Academy of Sciences awarded the Edmond Brun Prize to Annafederica Urbano, professor of space launch vehicles at ISAE-SUPAERO. This biennial physics award recognizes her entire body of work in the field of space propulsion.
DCAS
News
Prize
News
"Futurs Proches" Festival in October 9: tickets are now available!ISAE-SUPAERO's CSR department, in partnership with the Toulouse Community of Universities and Establishments (COMUE), invites you to join us on Thursday, October 9 for the 2ᵉ edition of the Festival Futurs Proches, Festival des Campus en transitions!
Corporate responsibility
Decarbonization
Event
Pages
Our InstituteL’ISAE-SUPAERO est à la pointe mondiale de l’enseignement supérieur et de la recherche dans le domaine de l’ingénierie aérospatiale pour relever le défi de la transition énergétique.
Aerospace
Institute
Pages
NewsStay informed with all our news on education, research, and innovation.
News
News
ISAE-SUPAERO renews cooperation agreements with ITA and São Paulo institutionsAerospace
Education
Institute
News
Valentin LELOUP, quantum and optical telecommunications systems engineer: the quantum and space tandemValentin Leloup, R&D engineer at Thales, combines two fields of expertise: quantum physics and space. He holds an engineering degree from ISAE-SUPAERO 2022 and a Master 2 in fundamental physics and applications.
Alumni
News
Research
Pages
Our logosOur ISAE-SUPAERO logo must be used as is, without alteration of shape or colour as specified in our brand manual. Download our logos.
Communication
Institute
Pages
BrochuresAn electronic document library allows you to view our brochures online. You can also download them in .pdf format. Please note that our training brochures are available on the pages of our ‘Programmes’ section.
« Ingénieur ISAE-SUPAERO » by apprenticeship
Advanced Master
Brochure
News
2026 marks a new chapter in ISAE-SUPAERO's visual identityCommunication
Institute
News
Ministerial Visit to ISAE-SUPAERODuring a ministerial visit to Toulouse on Friday, June 5, 2026, ISAE-SUPAERO had the privilege of welcoming Mr. Philippe Baptiste, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Space. This official visit led to high-level discussions on the institution’s priorities: aerospace engineering education, scientific excellence, national innovation, and student diversity.
Institute
News
Women's Campus Day 2026 “Inspiring younger generations and young girls”: astronaut Sophie Adenot's commitment continuesThe first edition of ISAE-SUPAERO's “Campus au féminin” days in 2016, attended by astronaut Sophie Adenot, a graduate of the school, was met with great enthusiasm by middle and high school girls. Given its success, the program has become a permanent fixture and now reaches hundreds of young girls every year, allowing them to discover careers in science and engineering.
Diversity program
Equal opportunities
Event
Pages
Our Key FiguresFind out the key figures for ISAE-SUPAERO, a Graduate school of engineering with a multidisciplinary curriculum at the global forefront of higher education and research in aerospace engineering.
Aerospace
Institute