Every year, Chartres en lumières showcases its exceptional heritage. From spring to winter, more than twenty monuments, including the famous cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are decked out in lights and colourful projections. A magical spectacle!
With Chartres en lumières, discover or rediscover the city’s history and rich heritage. This journey through time takes place on the façades of the monuments, with static or animated light projections using the video mapping technique. Organise your tour as you wish. The different scenographies rotate in a loop so you don’t miss a thing of the show.
More than 20 monuments in Chartres to admire
Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a sumptuous testament to the elegance of the Gothic style.
When night falls, a number of light projections enhance the delicacy of its architecture. The rose on the south portal and its stained glass windows, famous for their ‘Chartres blue’. The north portal and the royal portal are decked out in sumptuous colours. A real feast for the eyes!
The collegiate church of Saint-André, the church of Saint-Aignan and the church of Saint-Pierre are also sublimated by the scenography that adorns their façades. Other monuments, such as the main façade of the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Théâtre de Chartres and the Hôtel Montescot , are transformed into sublime canvases on which shimmering stage designs tell their own story and that of Chartres.
All the ways to discover Chartres in lights
The most traditional of these is, of course, the walking tour, where you let your steps guide you according to your desires. You are free to organise your itinerary as you wish.
You can also take one of the guided tours offered by the Tourist Office. Your guide will be sure to tell you lots of anecdotes and secrets about each of the places you’ll be admiring.
Take a seat in the Petit Chart’train. Comfortably seated, you’ll be taken on a tour of the illuminated monuments, with commentary on everything you need to know about Chartres and its treasures.
But if you fancy something even more original, opt for the canoe tour. Climb aboard one and paddle around the illuminated bridges and wash-houses to discover them from a unique angle.
Chartres in lights at Christmas
This festive and convivial event takes place every two years (in odd-numbered years). The many troupes invited liven up the streets and squares of Chartres for a unique evening. Strolling artists, acrobats, music and more delight young and old alike, with cheerful, colourful lights as the common thread.
Your questions:
Is Chartres en lumières free or chargeable?
Chartres en lumières is a free show put on by the city of Chartres. To find out more about the city and its illuminated monuments, the Tourist Office also organises guided tours for a fee.
How long does it take to discover Chartres en lumières?
The light trail is 5 to 7 kilometres long. You can discover the route at your own pace. You are free to follow it in its entirety or according to your whims. The projections on the royal portal of Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral last 30 minutes, while the scenographies on the other monuments take between 3 and 5 minutes.
Is Chartres en lumières suitable for families?
The lights, music and entertainment make Chartres en Lumières an event perfectly suited to families.
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