20 illuminated sites, from dusk to 1 a.m., 9 months a year: this is the program of Chartres en Lumières, an unmissable event in the city famous for its cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year for the past 20 years, it attracts heritage lovers and those who enjoy immersive and spectacular experiences.
It was in 2003 that the people of Chartres discovered the first illumination of their famous cathedral. The animation aimed to thank them for their patience during the 2 years of work devoted to making the historical heritage of their city more visible. It was such a success that, the following year, the municipal team decided to perpetuate the festival under the name of Chartres en Lumières. Since then, new sites and monuments have regularly been added to the experience, which has amazed more and more visitors (more than 1 million at each new edition!). Squares, bridges, wash houses...: in addition to its monuments (cathedral, churches, collegiate church, fine arts museum, theater), the small heritage is also highlighted in the medieval streets. A rich program, entirely free of charge, which attracts in particular people from the Ile-de-France (Paris is only 1 hour away by train) in search of a relaxing and easy-to-organize weekend, as Chartres en Lumières is held every year 7 days a week from April to January.
The only event of its kind to offer so many sites on a single pedestrian route, Chartres en lumières does not rest on its laurels by constantly renewing its offer and its projection equipment.
Objectives: to attract new visitors each year, to continue to seduce the people of Chartres and to reach the most demanding quality of image projection.
The city of Chartres has been a pioneer in the creation of this type of event, which has become very popular, and is still a pioneer today in terms of ecology, with the progressive replacement of its lamp projectors by more energy-efficient equipment.
A logical evolution for the technical team whose know-how is recognized worldwide.
Even more beautiful than fireworks!
If the Chartres cathedral is already majestic without illumination, the 2 scenography dressing it during 9 months of the year make it even more impressive. During Chartres en Lumières, you will discover on its different facades its very rich and eventful history for nearly 2 600 years.
Another site to admire is the Fine Arts Museum, a former bishop's palace whose facade pays homage to Jean Moulin, whose first act of resistance took place in Chartres when he was prefect of Eure-et-Loir. In a completely different register, the theater tells a humorous love affair while the Saint-Pierre church invites you to contemplate with an animation tracing the evolution of light over a day.
This is an opportunity to highlight certain architectural details of the Gothic monument and, as for all the other illuminated sites, to invite you to discover them from a new angle.
And if you prefer to stroll through the narrow streets or along the banks of the Eure, the illuminations of the bridges and wash houses await you. At nightfall, this other rich heritage of Chartres begins to tell stories inspired by medieval bestiaries. You will be able to have fun finding the animals that have escaped while letting yourself be won over by the magical atmosphere of Chartres en Lumières.
To prepare your visit, visit the Chartres tourism website.
Have a nice visit!
Valérie from Comme des Français
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Crédit photo : ©Studio Martino, ©AM Nouar.