Saint-Aignan's Church - Chartres en lumières

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.

Artistic design : M2.Creative

Chartres en lumières celebrates Christmas

From November 29th to January 5th, the most beautiful monuments illuminated by Chartres en lumières are decked out in Christmas colours.

Marvel at the river of elves on the bridges and wash houses of the lower town, attend a banquet at the Hôtel Montescot, or take a trip to Lapland at the Museum of Fine Arts. And of course, the spirit of Christmas will also illuminate Chartres Cathedral.

Find out about all the Christmas illuminations

A little history

Considered the town's oldest parish church, it is said to have been founded around 400 by Saint-Aignan, Bishop of Chartres, who, according to tradition, was buried here. During the feudal period, Saint-Aignan was the parish church of the Counts of Chartres, close to the castle that dominated the area of today's covered market. Following a fire that ravaged the area in the early 16th century, the church was completely rebuilt. All that remains is a 14th-century portal set into the center of the façade. Sold in 1793 for demolition, it was saved by its purchasers, but used as a prison and fodder store or depot. Worship was not restored until 1823. Of the eleven parishes that existed in Chartres before the Revolution, this is the only one to have been re-established.