Born in Paris on May 12 1943.
Training and professional career
- 1966 : Optics engineer
- 1966 : Degree in physics, University of Paris
- 1970 : Doctor of Science
- 1971 : CNRS research fellow
- 1984 : Director of research, CNRS
- 1978 : Correspondent of the French Academy of Sciences
- 1991-2014 : Professor at the Collège de France, Chair of Observational Astrophysics
- 1995 : Director of the Haute-Provence Observatory
- 1996 : Member of the jury of the Institut Universitaire de France
- 1997 : Chairman of the Conseil supérieur d'hygiène publique de France (section Milieux de Vie)
- 1997 : Member of the scientific council of the Concarneau marine biology station
- 1997 : Member of the " Space Interferometric Mission Science " working group
- Member of the Commission of Specialists of the University of Provence, section 34
Awards and distinctions
- 1976 : Prix Esclangon from the Société Française de Physique
- 1979 : Prix Stroobant from the Académie royale de Belgique
- 1980 : Prize from the International Commission for Optics
- 1981 : Prix du Rayonnement Français
- 1984 : Chevalier de l'ordre national du Mérite
- 1989 : Rank Prize
- 1990 : " Tinsley Prize " from the American Astronomical Society
- 1993 : Grand prix CEA from the Académie des Sciences
- 1994 : Member of the French Academy of Sciences