Chartres in Lights, the largest patrimonial illumination in the world

90 km from Paris, the city of Chartres, where Henri IV was coronated in its cathedral, certainly deserves its name « Capital of Light ». Each year, a stunning festival gathers 1.5 million spectators in front of abstracts or figurative animations, all in movement, projected, at nightfall, on the public monuments and buildings midtown.

Patrimonial illumination in Chartres

This 15th edition will once again be featuring state-of-the-art innovations. The venue will offer to visitors an interactive scenography thanks to a large tactile screen, where they are invited to create, for free, their own illumination on facades, by choosing amongst 120 possibilities.

Partially coloured, the main entrance of the Notre-Dame de Chartres cathedral is even more grandiose. © DR

On the sides of the edifice, religious imagery is presented like an animated cartoon. © DR

All wrapped up, the Saint-André collegiate resembles a ready to go gift package. © DR

A new cultural identity for Chartres

This highly colourful manifestation will be an occasion to enhance the Chartres patrimony, wearing its most beautiful costumes, through a sound and light show, conveying a contemporary cultural identity. For individual visits, Chartres has organized an application to help guide visitors in terms of the animations. A wonderful spotlight to increased the touristic frequentation of the city…

Every night from April to October, the Hôtel des Postes will feature all the colours of the rainbow. © DR

On the embankment of the Eure, the Pont des Minimes bridge pays homage to the dreams of washer-women. © DR