Chartres en lumières celebrates Christmas

From 29th December to 5th January

Like every year, Chartres en lumières is taking part in the Christmas festivities.

From Friday, 29 november to Saturday, 5 January, elves, presents and snow-covered landscapes will return to Chartres' main monuments: Chartres cathedral, the collegiate church of Saint-André, the church of Saint-Aignan and the bridges and wash-houses of the lower town... 

The event kicks off at 5.45pm on Friday 29 November. Meet up in front of the cathedral to share this unique moment together. You will enjoy all the events organised by Chartres from Sunday December 1st.

The shows

The royal portal of the cathedral

The royal portal of Notre-Dame Cathedral is dressed in its festive clothes. A succession of colourful scenographies telling the story of the last days before Christmas.

A big clock ticks away the last few minutes before the holidays. The Christmas decorations come to life: little angels twirl around the branches of the tree and Christmas candles fly up to the stars. The famous stained glass windows of the cathedral are gradually disappearing under the snowfall. Christmas has arrived... A creation by M2.Creative

How to get to the royal portal of the cathedral

More about the royal portal

Saint-Aignan's Church

As Christmas approaches, the church of Saint-Aignan is decked out in festive motifs. This scenography explores the architecture of the town's oldest parish church. Created by M2.Creative.

 How to get to the Saint-Aignan's Church

More about the Saint-Aignan's Church

The Montescot Hotel

Family meal in the living room : behind the windows of a fantastic building in blue and gold tones, a whole family is gathered for the Christmas feast. A creation by M2.Creative.

 How to get to the Montescot Hotel

More about the Montescot Hotel

The Collegiate Church of Saint André

Father Christmas takes off : the presents are ready, the reindeer are waiting, the elf mechanic finishes preparing the sleigh behind the walls of the stables. Pay close attention and you'll see Santa's sleigh take off along the roof of the Collegiate Church. A creation of M2.Creative

  How to get to the Collegiate Church of Saint André

More about the Collegiate Church of Saint André

Bridges and washhouses in the lower town

The enchanted river of the elves: in the land of the elves, each bridge and each washhouse is a workshop where Santa's little employees are busy preparing for Christmas. Following the enchanted river, visitors will be able to observe the toy-making workshop, the confectionery workshop, the candle preparation workshop, the Christmas tree decoration design workshop... A creation by M2.Creative

 See the bridges and washhouses on the map

The quay and the Gloriette wash house

Celestial Cloud : on the long wall of the Gloriette, a constellation of light. Solar stars and glacial flakes mix and dance above the Eure. A creation by Luminariste

  How to get to the quay and the Gloriette wash house

More about the quay and the Gloriette wash house

Dates and times

The 21 sites of Chartres en lumières are illuminated EVERY, night from dusk to 1am (11.30pm from the 27 October), until 5th January 2025.

The lighting of the illuminations varies according to the time of nightfall.

  • November: around 6.15pm / 6pm
  • December: 5.45pm
  • January : 5.45pm