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Origin and history

Cassini's sight in Villejuif, also known as the Cassini pyramid, was built in 1742 under the direction of Jacques Cassini. It was built in collaboration with his son Caesar and astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille, on the orders of King Louis XV. Its main objective was to accurately measure the terrestrial meridian, thus serving as a reference point for the drawing up of the map of France. This scientific monument illustrates the advances of geodesy in the Enlightenment century.

The Cassini pyramid is part of a set of two mires, the other being located in Juvisy. These structures allowed trigonometric calculations essential to determine the shape and dimensions of the Earth. The sight of Villejuif, classified as a historical monument in 1928, bears witness to the importance attached to science and cartography during the reign of Louis XV. It also symbolizes the collaboration between astronomers and geographers for projects of national scope.

Today, Cassini's sight remains a rare vestige of French scientific history. Located from the Pyramid to Villejuif, it is owned by the municipality and recalls the legacy of Cassini, an astronomer dynasty that marked the history of cartography. Its inscription in historical monuments in 1928 underscores its heritage value, both for its technical role and for its anchoring in the local landscape.

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