Paris Day Trips: The Famous Chartres Light Show

The Famous Chartres Light Show

Just 50 miles southwest of Paris, the Chartres Cathedral is one of France’s architectural masterpieces. Visible for miles, the gothic cathedral looms over the surrounding plain, inspiring awe and wonder in pilgrims (and tourists) who have journeyed from afar for a glimpse. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the 13th century cathedral welcomes more than two million visitors a year, and recent renovations have restored the Basilique Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres to her former glory.

One of the best times to pay a visit is during Chartres en Lumières, which takes place every Saturday night (dusk until 1 am) from April to October. Twenty-nine sites around Chartres are illuminated with spectacular colours and images, inspired by the cathedral’s magnificent stained glass windows.

The show is free, and can be discovered on foot, by bicycle, or on the petit train. Sites include three different façades of the cathedral, the former Episcopal Palace, bridges, the Italian Theatre, and washhouses on the banks of the River Eure. This year, 23 of the 29 sites have been completely updated with new scenography.

Particularly noteworthy is the annual Festival of Lights which will take place on Saturday, September 20. There will be a wide array of events and exhibitions—from street art and music concerts to large-scale art installations. The grand finale will highlight the winners of the “Chartres Video Mapping Contest”, whose work will be projected on the façade of the Municipal Theatre.

Chartres en Lumières concludes on October 12 when the city hosts the “Artisans of Chartres” fair.