The CNRS astrophysics schools gather professional astronomers several times per year to discuss hot scientific topics. Since 2003 and every 3 years, at Oléron and then at La Rochelle, a CNRS astrophysics school welcomes, for the first time, amateur astronomers. That is how about 15 professionals and 35 amateurs, with already a good practice of astronomy, meet to exchange on topics and methods of observations. The goal is to have the passion for astronomy of amateurs converge with useful objectives for the scientific community.