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The Chartres light show illuminates more than twenty monuments in the city every evening, free of charge, until 3 January 2027. Since 25 October, moreover, the lights have been switched off at 11pm. From 27 November to 3 January, a Christmas programme takes over on the cathedral and several sites in the centre. Here are the dates, times and route to make the most of it.
Chartres, a city in the Eure-et-Loir département south-west of Paris, has turned light into a tourism brand. In fact, the event, called « Chartres en lumières », is produced by the city council and is free. We therefore checked the details on the official website on 14 November 2026.
Chartres light show 2026: until when?
The 2026 season started on 11 April 2026 and ends on 3 January 2027, according to the official website chartresenlumieres.com. In addition, the illuminations take place every evening, with no booking needed.
What are the winter times?
First, the monuments light up at dusk. From 11 April to 24 October, they stayed lit until 1am. Since 25 October and until 3 January, the lights go off at 11pm. However, an older FAQ page on the website still shows last season’s times.
What can you see at Christmas?
The official website announces a Christmas programme from Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. It covers several places:
- the Royal Portal and the cathedral;
- the church of Saint-Aignan;
- the Hôtel Montescot;
- the Fine Arts Museum;
- the collegiate church of Saint-André;
- the bridges and wash-houses;
- the Quai Gloriette.
In total, the Christmas page mentions 21 illuminated sites. The route is on foot, from the cathedral down to the banks of the river Eure.
Chartres light show: how much does it cost?
Nothing: access is free. Indeed, the city presents the event as free of charge. Only extra services such as guided tours or food are paid for. For hotels and restaurants, the official website refers visitors to the Chartres tourist office at chartres-tourisme.com.
A local initiative launched over twenty years ago
The light show has been permanent since 2004, after a first Festival of Light in 2003. Later, in 2008, the city joined LUCI, the international network of cities of light. The city also states on its website that the event attracts « more than one million visitors each year ». However, no counting method is published for this figure.
According to LUCI, a Festival of Light takes place every two years in September, during the European Heritage Days. The network mentions around 50,000 visitors for this event. By contrast, no public data on cost or economic impact could be found.
A model for other towns?
For local councillors, the appeal is to lengthen the tourist season and keep visitors in town in the evening. Other cities use the same approach, such as the Champs-Élysées Christmas lights. See also our guide to French Christmas markets.
Practical tips for your visit
- Come after 5pm in December: night falls early and the full route takes time.
- Wear good shoes: the streets of the lower town are steep.
- If you come by train, check the time of the last departure before you start.
You can also read this article in French.
Chartres light show: key takeaways
- 2026 season: 11 April 2026 to 3 January 2027, every evening.
- Lights off at 11pm since 25 October.
- Christmas programme from 27 November to 3 January.
- 21 illuminated sites, including the cathedral and the Quai Gloriette.
- Free access, no booking.
Sources: City of Chartres, official presentation of the event and Christmas page; LUCI Association, consulted on 14 November 2026. Featured photo: Mick Haupt / Unsplash.
