S02 → Altanube Pando
Mapping & Understanding Spaces
→ Cassini Tours
The concept of Cassini Tours arose while studying the system of information and models used in maps and how the earth’s corners were represented through the ages—or sometimes not represented at all. Through these drawn lines, we started to discern that representing the world in two dimensions was not as easy as it could appear. Some choices must be made to allow map readers to understand them and follow their indications accurately. Some characteristics need to be excluded, while others must be highlighted because of their relevance. This approach inspired us to design our own maps and itineraries, with a careful—but arbitrary—selection of segments from the vivid world.
As a result, we developed the Cassini Tours, with each tour focusing on a theme. Some of them are open to the public; it is for us the occasion to meet other walkers and share stories. If you are interested in joining us, please contact us.
Upcoming Tours
London, United Kingdom
Greenwich
2026
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COMING SOON
“Greenwich and the Longitude Problem”
A review of the rise of the new era of navigation, from the most unusual ideas to the discovery of longitude.
© Royal Observatory
London, United Kingdom
7 Bruce Grove, Tottenham, London
2026
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COMING SOON
“Retracing the Legacy of Luke Howard”
As part of this Cassini Tour, we will visit the house of Luke Howard, a pioneering meteorologist of the 19th century who transformed our understanding of the sky by classifying clouds into the system still used today—cumulus, stratus, and cirrus. During our visit, we will retrace his story, exploring his lifelong dedication to observing and documenting clouds.
© Acabashi CC
Hauterives, France
Palais idéal
End of 2025
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COMING SOON
“The Ideal Palace of Postman Cheval”
It is time to visit the Palais idéal (i.e., ideal palace) du Facteur Cheval, located in Hauterives, France. Constructed by Ferdinand Cheval, a postman with a remarkable vision, this architectural structure has a unique history to share.
© Eric Bajart
Alboraya, Spain
Museo de la Horchata y la Chufa
End of 2025
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COMING SOON
“La Catedral de la Horchata”
This tour includes a visit to local chufa fields, where we will learn about the cultivation process of this unique crop, followed by visits to the authentic Valencian horchata production facilities. This itinerary will highlight the deep connection between the land, the people, and this cherished regional delicacy.
© Museo de la Horchata
Past Tours
Llorts, Ordino, Andorra
Mina de Llorts / Ruta del Ferro
11.10.25
“Llorts Iron Mine Exploration”
This tour begins with a guided visit to the Llorts Iron Mine, where participants descend into its gallery to discover Andorra’s rich mining heritage. The journey then continues along the Ruta del Ferro (Iron Route) , the historic trail once used by muleteers to transport iron ore, winding past sculptures, heritage landmarks, and serene riverside landscapes.
© Museus.ad
Agramunt, Spain
Museo del Turrón y el Chocolate
09.10.25
“The Story of a Sweet Tradition”
This Cassini Tour invites visitors to explore El Museo del Turrón y del Chocolate de Agramunt, a place where the story of a centuries-old craft unfolds. Surrounded by the scent of almonds and honey, the visit becomes a journey through time, from the first written traces of Agramunt’s turrón tradition in 1741 to the artisanal methods still alive today in the Vicens family workshop.
© Torrons Vicens
Sevrier, France
Fonderie Paccard
05.09.25
“Inside the Paccard Bell Foundry”
This itinerary will take us to the Paccard Bell Foundry, located in Sevrier, France. Renowned for its craftsmanship since 1796, the foundry has produced some of the world’s most iconic bells. During this visit, we will learn about the traditional techniques of bell-making and explore the history of the Paccard family.
© Paccard
Calpe, Spain
Muralla Roja
23.05.25
“A Journey Through Geometry and Light”
Nestled along the Mediterranean coast in Calpe, Spain, the Muralla Roja is a striking architectural masterpiece by Ricardo Bofill. Inspired by North African kasbahs, this bold structure features a labyrinth of staircases, terraces, and interlocking geometric forms—an immersive space we will explore.
© NeurAstra
Paterna, Spain
Cuevas de Paterna
07.02.25
“Beneath the Surface”
Paterna’s cuevas are traditional underground dwellings that have been part of the town’s architectural heritage since the Moorish period. By the early 20th century, these homes housed nearly half of Paterna’s population, offering a practical and affordable living solution. Today, three main groups of caves remain: Les Coves d’Alborgí, which are still inhabited, Les Coves de la Torre, repurposed into cultural spaces around the Paterna Tower, including Cova Gran, and Les Coves del Batà, which now house a cultural centre and ethnographic museum.
© NeurAstra
Meritxell, Andorra
Basílica Santuario de Meritxell
15.01.25
“Meritxell: The Modernity of Faith”
Rebuilt by renowned architect Ricardo Bofill after a devastating fire, the Basilica Sanctuary of Meritxell is more than a place of worship—it is the heart of Andorra’s spiritual identity. Nestled amidst the stunning Pyrenean landscape, this sanctuary honours the patron saint of the principality.
© NeurAstra
Encamp / Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra
MW Museo de la Electricidad / Camino Hidroeléctrico de Engolasters
13.01.25
“Currents of Innovation: Tracing Andorra’s Electric Legacy”
We set out to explore the story of electricity in Andorra, where the forces of nature and human ingenuity converged to illuminate the Pyrenees. Our journey began at the MW Museum of Electricity. Continuing along the Engolasters Hydroelectric Trail, we will follow the currents of history and progress in the middle of the forest.
© MW Museo de la Electricidad
Saint-Genix-les-Villages, France
Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers
21.12.24
“The Brotherhood of the Saint-Genix Cake”
This itinerary aims to explore the area of Saint-Genix-les-Villages, situated in the Avant-Pays Savoyard, and delve into the history of the famous Saint-Genix cake, a delicious brioche filled with praline elaborated by Pierre Labully.
© Savoie Mont Blanc
Lovagny, France
Les Gorges du Fier
07.09.24
“The Islet of Legends”
Les Gorges du Fier is a remarkable natural site where the Fier River has carved a deep, narrow gorge through limestone cliffs. The gorge is one of the region's most impressive natural wonders, with towering walls that rise up to 70 meters high.
© NeurAstra
Meyrin, Switzerland
CERN
/Genevois
20.08.24
“Accelerating Science and Communication”
To celebrate the hard work and commitment of the Research Fellows of the NeurAstra Educational Programme (NAEP First Edition 2024/2025—Feynman Promotion), we gathered to visit together the centre of particles discovery at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, located at Meyrin, near Geneva on the French-Swiss border. CERN is home to the famous Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world's most powerful particle accelerator, where scientists probe the fundamental forces and particles that constitute the universe.
© NeurAstra
Menthon-Saint-Bernard, France
Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
15.08.24
“The Birth of Hostels Across the Alps”
A unique tour of the medieval castle of Menthon-Saint-Bernard to retrace the story of Bernard of Menthon (St Bernard), the patron saint of skiers, who was born in this castle in the 11th century (1008). He is known for founding the hospice at the Great St. Bernard Pass and several hostels and abbeys in the high mountains to protect pilgrims.
© Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Bernex, Switzerland
Signal de Bernex
12.08.24
REGISTRATION:
CLOSED
“Nights of Perseids”
The Perseids are a meteor shower made up of debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet. Their size ranges from a grain of sand to a small pea. They travel at a speed of about 210,000 km/h and ignite when they come into contact with the Earth’s atmosphere. When weather conditions are favourable, up to a hundred shooting stars can be observed per hour. See you at the top of the Signal de Bernex to enjoy this spectacle.
© NASA
Salève, France
Mont Salève
/Genevois
11.08.24
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CLOSED
“The Story of the Non-Observatory”
SECOND EDITION
The eccentric story of the astronomical observatory that never opened at Mont Salève and instead became a restaurant.
© Christian Gottlieb
Köln, Germany
DLR / EAC / :envihab
22.03.24
“Space Exploration with Humans”
A special visit to the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) and :envihab facilities, where science and research take place to train generations of astronauts of the harshness of the space environment. From identifying the exact consequences of space risk factors on the human body to the development of countermeasures to protect space travellers, there is a lot going on between these walls.
© NeurAstra
Köln, Germany
Farina House
20.03.24
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CLOSED
“Farina 1709—The Original Eau de Cologne”
Spellbound by the scents of his surroundings, Giovanni Maria Farina's early experiences in the countryside shaped his passion for essences to ultimately start the new age of perfume 300 years ago with his unique and original Eau de Cologne.© Farina Duftmuseum
Valencia, Spain
City Centre
15.03.24
REGISTRATION:
CLOSED
“La ruta de los buñuelos”
A one-day Valencia visit to retrace the origins of the Fallas and the art of satire while eating buñuelos and listening to mascletas.© Raga
Alp, Spain
Torre del Riu
20.01.24
REGISTRATION:
CLOSED“A House Dream”
The unknown story of the house that wanted to become a castle.© NeurAstra
St-Jean-de-Maurienne, France
Opinel House / Museum
15.12.23
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CLOSED
“How to Make an Opinel?”
A visit to the first house of the Opinel family and the museum dedicated to the story of the internationally famous Savoie knife.© Opinel
Ordino, Andorra
Estanys de Tristaina
10.10.23
REGISTRATION:
CLOSED
“Around the Clock”
This majestic mountain trek leads to the Tristaina Solar Viewpoint conceived as a sundial in which the central beam—27 metres long and inclined at 42.55°—marks the time on the viewpoint's circumference. This inclination corresponds to the exact latitude of the point where the viewpoint is located according to geographical coordinates. © NeurAstra
Salève, France
Mont Salève
/Genevois
14.08.23
REGISTRATION:
CLOSED
“The Story of the Non-Observatory”
The eccentric story of the astronomical observatory that never opened at Mont Salève and instead became a restaurant.© Christian Gottlieb
La Roche-sur-Foron, France
Tour des comtes de Genève
20.12.22
REGISTRATION:
CLOSED“The River that Lit the Night”
This tour examines the birth of electricity at La Roche-sur-Foron, the first town in Europe to be lit by electricity (1885). The aim is to trace how the power of the Foron, dam, turbine, dynamo, became public lighting, and how that breakthrough reshaped the night, daily rhythms and the imagination of progress. © DR
Voiron, France
Caves de la Chartreuse
15.12.22
REGISTRATION:
CLOSED“Chartreuse—The Mystery of the 130 Plants”
A review of the incredible birth and life of the Chartreuse liqueur throughout the ages and the revolutions.© Chartreuse
Valencia, Spain
City Centre
14.11.18
REGISTRATION:
CLOSED
“Nervous System of a City”
A special tour of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, starting from El Carmen and ending in the Cabañal-Cañamelar, following the unusual thread of the buildings’ electrical installations.
Explore the Tour
© NeurAstra
Special Tours
French & Swiss Alps
/Genevois
2025
“Celestography in the Alps”
This initiative was born out of our desire to rediscover the ancient practice of celestial contemplation, which is only the first step towards understanding the natural phenomena that surround us and shape our lives.
Explore the Tour
© NeurAstra
France
Saint-Étienne-de-Saint-Geoirs (Isère), Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers (Savoie), Valence (Drôme), Grenoble (Isère), Brioude (Haute-Loire), Thiers (Puy-de-Dôme), Pont-de-Beauvoisin (Isère/Savoie), Chambéry (Savoie).
2024
“In the Footsteps of Mandrin”
The story of Louis Mandrin is not like any other. He was an ambiguous figure whose epic tale continues to haunt numerous places in the Dauphiné region and beyond. We decided to follow his steps, seeking to understand who Mandrin truly was—a hero and a brigand—who left an indelible mark on his time.
© DR
Your place
Now
“Voyage autour de ma chambre”
Inspired by the eponymous book written in 1794 by Xavier de Maistre (“A Journey Around My Room”), this special tour is a reminder that exploration starts right here, right now, even if it is just for a minute.
Read the Story
© DR