Gloriette quay and wash house - Chartres en lumières

On the long wall of the Gloriette, a constellation of light. Solar stars and ice flakes mix and dance above the Eure.

Artistic design : Luminariste

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

Located opposite the rue de la tannerie, near the corroierie, the Gloriette wash house was in the leather district where tanners and leather workers worked. Many craftsmen lived in this district on the waterfront, protected by a rampart built in 1185. Downstream was the "massacre", an old slaughterhouse near which stood one of the 7 city gates. Continuing upstream, other trades were spread out along the river: wool and leather workers (tanners, curriers, shippers, etc.) and cloth workers (whippers, dyers).