Frequently Asked Questions

The tour of the sites, along the boulevards, around the cathedral and along the Eure, extends over 5 to 7 km. The scenographies of the royal portal of Chartres cathedral last 30 minutes (about 15 minutes by scenography). The other animated illuminations last between 3 and 5 minutes.

Plan to spend a whole evening enjoying all the illuminations at your own pace. You are free to wander around the city centre and build your own route according to your wishes.

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The town of Chartre is easy to reach both by train and by car.

Coming by car

  • 1 h from Paris: Follow A6 direction Bordeaux-Nantes then A10 and A11 direction Nantes.
  • 1 h from Orléans: Follow the A10 towards Paris/Chartres, then the N154 towards Rouen/Chartres.
  • 2 h from Rouen: Follow the A13 towards Évreux then the N154 towards Chartres/Orléans.
  • 1 h 30 from Le Mans: Follow A11 direction Paris/Chartres.

Parking

Chartres has almost 2,000 surface parking spaces and another 3,000 in underground or elevated car parks.

Find the car parks on the Chartres en lumières map

 

By train

Chartres train station is located 5 minutes walk from Chartres city centre. You can quickly reach all the illuminations as well as the hotels and restaurants.

There are about 33 daily connections from Paris-Montparnasse station (about 1 hour) to Chartres station. About 12 daily connections are made between Le Mans and Chartres and there are regular connections between Brittany and Chartres.

Find departure times and fares from the SNCF

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Chartres en lumières is an entirely free event organised by the City of Chartres.

The 20 heritage sites in the historic city centre of Chartres are public monuments or visible from the public space. You can locate them on our map.

C'Chartres Tourisme offers paying guided tours of Chartres en lumières, as do several other associations.

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Nature, culture, concerts, entertainment... You won't have time to get bored while waiting for nightfall...

Today, Chartres offers many architectural and cultural sites that you can visit... Discover the must-see places in Chartres

Throughout the year, the city puts together a rich and varied programme of events. Discover the major events in Chartres

Nature lovers, come and relax in the many parks and gardens of Chartres, these "green lungs" which are available for you to relax and practice leisure activities and sports.

Find out more about C'Chartres Tourisme

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Chartres en lumières is an annual event that uses light to enhance the value of our heritage.

It takes place every year from April to January. Twenty or so sites are illuminated 7 evening a week, from dusk until 1am (11.30pm from 29 October). Each year brings its share of surprises with new illuminations and new illuminated heritage sites.

Find all the illuminations of Chartres en lumières

The Fête de la lumière takes place every two years (odd-numbered years), on the weekend of the European Heritage Days. During this exceptional festive evening, visitors are offered a unique programme of events that showcase light in many forms: street arts, installations, live shows, or the most modern interactive devices with the Chartres en lumières illuminations in the background.

The next Festival of Light will take place on 16 September 2023.

Discover the Fête de la lumière

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The Fête de la lumières will return in 2023, on the weekend of the European Heritage Days. Visitors will be able to discover a unique programme of events on the infinite theme of light during an exceptional festive evening.

Find out more about the Fête de la lumières

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Don't hesitate to try our good restaurants in Chartres and its surroundings. For more information, C'Chartres tourisme has a large list of restaurants, bars, local producers...

Find out more from C'Chartres Tourisme

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The city of Chartres and its surroundings offer many accommodation possibilities. A campsite in a green setting, a bed and breakfast, a warm and welcoming cottage or furnished accommodation, a cosy city centre hotel, a tourist residence or even unusual accommodation that will give you a unique experience...

We invite you to contact C'Chartres tourism for more information.

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Chartres en lumières is located in the heart of Chartres, along the boulevards, around the cathedral and along the river Eure.

You can locate the illuminated sites on our map and build your route.

This map is also available on request from C'Chartres Tourisme and in most of the shops and tourist accommodation in Chartres.

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Chartres en lumières remains, unchallenged since its creation, the largest operation of its kind in the world, by the combination of the number of sites illuminated and its duration.

The City of Chartres has brought together a whole panel of French artists who are pioneers in the fields of cutting-edge technology, audiovisual production, architectural video mapping and large-format moving images.

Discover the scenographers of Chartres en lumières

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