In recent days, special eclipse glasses have been flying off the shelves in pharmacies and specialist shops in France. Faced with ever-rising demand, some outlets are already out of stock, while others are placing repeated orders in an effort to meet customers' needs.
"We didn't have any for three days, but this morning we received a good stock that should see us through to Wednesday evening," explains Aurélie Letavi, a pharmacy assistant, speaking to AFP.
Demand is so strong because these protective glasses are absolutely essential.
To watch the eclipse – that moment when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun – you must wear special glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 standard and carry the CE mark, which are vital to protect your eyes.
They are sold in pharmacies, at opticians and in certain specialist chains, with prices ranging from €1.50 to €4 per pair.
