Home / Our major events / Other events
-A +A

Other events

Chartres enjoys a particularly rich calendar of cultural and festive events...

In the context of the COVID-19 health crisis, we cannot confirm the dates of this events. For more information, please contact us: +33 (0)2 37 18 26 26.

 

Music and dance festivals, water and Light Festivals, exhibitions and fairs showcasing local know-how… All these activities combine to make visitors want to extend their stay.

 

Festivals

© Yves Lejeune
  • Henri IV Week-end, Last week of February: "Poule au Pot" menus in the restaurants; bouillon and wine tastings; "Chartres during the rule of Henry IV" theme tour; activities celebrating the memory of Henry IV, King of Navarre, the only king to have been crowned in Chartres, in 1594. Tel: +33 (0)2 37 18 26 26.
  • Boulevard du graff (graffiti and street art), Last week of March: Demonstration and exhibition, on Chasles Boulevard, and aunctions. Information: +33 (0)2 37 18 47 61.
  • Open Days of the Stained-glassmakers workshops, Beginning of April: Artists and craftsmen of art, painters and sculptors, glassblowers, present their creations and knowhow. Information: +33 (0)2 37 99 93 31.
  • The market of Loire Wines "Paulée", Beginning of April: This event, which is a showcase for the wines produced around the Loire, provides an opportunity to highlight young winemakers in particular and to taste the wines from the previous grape harvest. Place des Halles 10am to 5pm. Tel: +33 (0)2 37 18 15 15.
  • “Chartres en lumières” (Chartres light show), from April to January: Every evening, the heritage of Chartres comes under the spotlight: The cathedral, the bishop's palace gardens, Place Marceau and Place du Cygne, Saint André Collegiate Church, the Écuyers street appear in shimmering colours and take on new dimensions. Large closing event on Mid-September (Festival of lights). Tel: +33 (0)2 37 18 26 26.
  • "Festival des Clavecins de Chartres" (Harpsichord Event), Beginning of April and May: This harpsichord festival, with its four types of concerts, is a unique opportunity to discover national or even international artists, but also young performers trained in Chartres and the rest of the district by instructors specialized in ancient music. Tel: +33 (0)1 30 59 25 65.
  • "La nuit des cathédrales" (the night of the cathedral), Beginning of May: Concerts, shows in the cathedral. Tel: +33 (0)2 37 21 59 08.
  • "Les Soirées Autrement" from June to August: Numerous events in the Cathedral: “Bible en continu” (bible reading) on Tuesdays; “Vitraux grand format” (stained-glass projection) on Fridays; “Moment Musical” (concert) on Sundays. Free entrance. Open until 10pm. Tel: +33 (0)2 37 21 59 08.
  • “La Berchéroise”, End of June: Walk from the Berchères-les-Pierres quarry to the Cathedral, along the “Chemin des Carriers”. Information: +33 (0)6 13 04 63 96.
  • "Soirées Estivales de Chartres" (Chartres Summer Evening Festival), from July to August: Street and musical entertainment (at 9pm); organ concerts in the Cathedral... 50 free shows and concerts. Organization: ChartrEstivales - Information: Tel: +33 (0)2 37 18 26 26.
  • Organ and sacred music Festival, From July to August: Festival showcasing "Europe's talented organists". Free concerts by renowned musicians, Europe's elite organists, Sundays at 4:15pm in the Cathedral. Free entrance.
  • “Saint-Fiacre” (medieval event), Enf of August: Porte Guillaume. Medieval activities and job demonstrations. Information : +33 (0)2 37 31 46 64.
  • Fête de la lumière (Festival of Lights), Mid-September: Large, popular festival with a special illuminated route through the town and numerous events. Tel: +33 (0)2 37 18 26 26.
  • “Fête des Vendanges” (Grape Harvest Festival), End of September: Chartres invites you to discover popular traditions and agricultural practices from the beginning of 20th century to the present day. Information: +33 (0)2 37 25 69 06.
  • "Le Légendaire" (Festival of Legends), from October to November: Festival of tales: shows, free events, tours with a storyteller in remarkable places of Chartres and Eure-et-Loir region. Tel: +33 (0)2 37 23 01 99.
  • "Top in Humour" festival, on November: An annual event for music lovers interested in discovering fresh new talent, future virtuosos in the world of classical music. Tel : + 33 (0)2 37 35 08 94.
Montgolfiades euréliennes 2016 © Chartres Objectif - Béatrice Dumont

Exhibitions

  • "Chemin des Arts" (art exhibitions and artists' studio), from March to December
    Come and meet artists and discover their work... Three exhibition spaces constitue the "Chemin des Arts": Galery of Contemporary mosaics (Saint-Eman Chapel), Saint-André Collegiate Church, Contemporary expressions (Prieuré Saint-Vincent). Tel: + 33 (0)2 37 23 41 43

Fairs and shows

  • Chartres flea market, March: Antique merchants at Chartexpo (Paris road). Tel: +33 (0)6 09 04 93 57
  • “Artisanales de Chartres” (National show of handicraft), Beginning of October: Demonstration of the handicraft by professionnals and 1000 apprentices in Chartrexpo. Tel: +33 (0)2 37 91 57 00
  • "Foire de la Saint-André" (Saint André's Fair), End of November: Town centre. This fair goes back to the Middle Ages. Tel: +33 (0)2 37 23 40 00
  • Christmas activities, in December: activities and musical shows, town center. Tel: +33 (0)2 37 18 47 60
  • Flea Market: year-round, on the fourth Sunday of each month. Tel: +33 (0)2 37 23 40 00
© Yves Lejeune

Sports

  • Horse racing, from March to December, at the Chartres racecourse 
    Tel. +33 (0)2 37 34 93 73

 

And throughout the year

Numerous events make Chartres a lively city to visit: theatrical quality and musical performances, rich and varied exhibitions. Information available in Chartres Tourist office.

Available information at the Tourist Office of Chartres Urban Area.