The PASTEL catalogue of stellar parameters

Aims. The PASTEL catalogue is an update of the [Fe/H] catalogue, published in 1997 and 2001. It is a bibliographical compilation of stellar atmospheric parameters providing (T(eff), log g, [Fe/H]) determinations obtained from the analysis of high resolution, high signal-to-noise spectra, carried out with model atmospheres. PASTEL also provides determinations of the one parameter T(eff) based on various methods. It is aimed in the future to provide also homogenized atmospheric parameters and elemental abundances, radial and rotational velocities. A web interface has been created to query the catalogue on elaborated criteria. PASTEL is also distributed through the CDS database and VizieR. Methods. To make it as complete as possible, the main journals have been surveyed, as well as the CDS database, to find relevant publications. The catalogue is regularly updated with new determinations found in the literature. Results. As of Febuary 2010, PASTEL includes 30151 determinations of either T(eff) or (T(eff), log g, [Fe/H]) for 16 649 different stars corresponding to 865 bibliographical references. Nearly 6000 stars have a determination of the three parameters (T(eff), log g, [Fe/H]) with a high quality spectroscopic metallicity.