Look up tonight for meteor shower

TAKE a look at the sky tonight between midnight and dawn for the best possible glimpse of shooting stars over France.

The annual Perseid meteor shower has been active since mid-July, but a new moon tonight means optimum viewing conditions for the natural firework display.

Advice from star-watchers is to find a reclining chair - or lie on the ground - in a dark place away from artificial light, preferably with an unobstructed view of the northeastern sky.

Spectators do not need a telescope - the naked eye will be just fine.

At least one visible meteor every few minutes can be expected. The brightest ones leave behind trails of vaporised gas that remain visible for several seconds.