ChartrEstivales
Chartres' free summer evenings
About ChartrEstivales
ChartrEstivales: Summer in Music and Shows in Chartres
Since 1992, the ChartrEstivales have set the rhythm for Chartres' summer with a rich and varied program, entirely free. Every evening of the week (Monday to Saturday) at 9 PM, the squares and emblematic locations of Chartres' city center host concerts, plays, shows for young audiences, choirs, and recitals at Notre-Dame Cathedral.
An Eclectic and Popular Program
The ChartrEstivales program reflects great artistic diversity: rock, pop, French chanson, jazz, classical music, swing, world music, but also theater, comedy, and shows for children. Every summer, over 40 shows are offered, allowing everyone to find something they enjoy throughout the summer evenings.
The shows take place outdoors, on the historic squares of Chartres' city center, offering an exceptional setting between architectural heritage and a friendly atmosphere. The concerts at Notre-Dame Cathedral are special moments, blending sacred music and classical repertoire in a venue with remarkable acoustics.
An Association Serving Culture
The ChartrEstivales association, created in 2007, took over the organization of the summer evenings initiated by the City of Chartres in 1992. Driven by a team of passionate volunteers, it works to liven up Chartres' summer cultural life and offer everyone free access to quality shows. The association collaborates with the City of Chartres and city center merchants to make each evening a moment of sharing and conviviality.
An Unmissable Summer Event
The ChartrEstivales attract thousands of spectators every summer, including residents of Chartres and its surrounding area, passing tourists, and festival-goers coming to enjoy the Chartres en Lumières illuminations. The evenings offer an ideal opportunity to discover the lively city center, stroll through the pedestrian streets, and enjoy the Chartres summer atmosphere.
ChartrEstivales — edition 2026
The 34th edition of ChartrEstivales takes place from July 3rd to August 22nd, 2026. As every summer, more than 40 entirely free shows are offered from Monday to Saturday at 9 PM in the squares of Chartres city center: concerts of all styles, theater, shows for young audiences, and concerts at Notre-Dame Cathedral. The opening night is provided by Bloody Mary on July 3rd at Place des Halles, and the edition concludes on August 22nd at Place Châtelet with the Orchestre Oasis.
34th Edition — Summer 2026
ChartrEstivales returns for its 34th edition, from July 3rd to August 22nd, 2026. More than 40 free shows are scheduled from Monday to Saturday at 9 PM in the emblematic squares of Chartres city center: Place des Halles, Place Châtelet, and Place Billard, as well as sacred music concerts at Notre-Dame Cathedral.
The 2026 program combines concerts (rock, pop, French chanson, swing, soul, world music, Celtic), tribute shows (Bruce Springsteen, Dire Straits, France Gall, Elton John, Johnny Hallyday), theater, humor, and classical concerts at the cathedral (organ, violin, flute, oboe, choral singing). All shows are free and open-air, set against the heritage backdrop of Chartres' historic center.
Programme ChartrEstivales 2026
July 2026
- Fri. July 3rd — 9 PM — Bloody Mary · Place des Halles (opening night)
- Sat. July 4th — 9 PM — The Crook & The Dylan's · Place Châtelet
- Mon. July 6th — 9 PM — Mieux vaut star que jamais · Place Billard
- Tue. July 7th — 9 PM — Petit Jérémy et les Grands · Place des Halles
- Wed. July 8th — 9 PM — Gaviny · Place des Halles
- Thu. July 9th — 9 PM — Concert at Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Fri. July 10th — 9 PM — Gipsy Band · Place des Halles
- Sat. July 11th — 9 PM — The Rising Band (tribute Bruce Springsteen) · Place Châtelet
- Mon. July 13th — 9 PM — Une petite pause ! · City Center
- Tue. July 14th — 9 PM — Free evening for the fireworks · City Center
- Wed. July 15th — 9 PM — Martha Fields · Place des Halles
- Thu. July 16th — 9 PM — Voice and organ · Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Fri. July 17th — 9 PM — Le Grand Pop · Place des Halles
- Sat. July 18th — 9 PM — Telegraph Road (tribute Dire Straits) · Place Châtelet
- Mon. July 20th — 9 PM — L'Empire des chaussettes trouées · Place Billard
- Tue. July 21st — 9 PM — Kalffa · Place des Halles
- Wed. July 22nd — 9 PM — Unicorn · Place des Halles
- Thu. July 23rd — 9 PM — Violin and organ · Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Fri. July 24th — 9 PM — The Sassy Swingers (swing) · Place des Halles
- Sat. July 25th — 9 PM — Autour de France (tribute to France Gall) · Place Châtelet
- Mon. July 27th — 9 PM — Mes applis, mes amours, mes emmerdes · Place Billard
- Tue. July 28th — 9 PM — La Chimba · Place des Halles
- Wed. July 29th — 9 PM — Au tour du temps · Place des Halles
- Thu. July 30th — 9 PM — Flute and organ concert · Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Fri. July 31st — 9 PM — Nora and the Soul Show Band (soul) · Place des Halles
August 2026
- Sat. August 1st — 9 PM — Flash 80's · Place Châtelet
- Mon. August 3rd — 9 PM — Yvan l'Aventurier · Place Billard
- Tue. August 4th — 9 PM — Canzonieri · Place des Halles
- Wed. August 5th — 9 PM — Atou'Trèfle · Place des Halles
- Thu. August 6th — 9 PM — Violin and organ concert · Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Fri. August 7th — 9 PM — Un p'tit gars du coin · Place des Halles
- Sat. August 8th — 9 PM — The Elton Tribute (tribute to Elton John) · Place Châtelet
- Mon. August 10th — 9 PM — Ados un jour, à dos toujours · Place Billard
- Tue. August 11th — 9 PM — Groupe Joséphine · Place des Halles
- Wed. August 12th — 9 PM — La Route des Airs · Place des Halles
- Thu. August 13th — 9 PM — Oboe and organ concert · Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Fri. August 14th — 9 PM — Rose Tickets · Place des Halles
- Sat. August 15th — 9 PM — Phoenix 66 (tribute to Johnny Hallyday) · Place Châtelet
- Mon. August 17th — 9 PM — On va sauver la planète · Place Billard
- Tue. August 18th — 9 PM — Celtic Seven (Celtic music) · Place des Halles
- Wed. August 19th — 9 PM — Viviane & The Woodpeckers · Place des Halles
- Thu. August 20th — 9 PM — C'Chartres en Chœur · Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Fri. August 21st — 9 PM — The Froggyz · Place des Halles
- Sat. August 22nd — 9 PM — Orchestre Oasis · Place Châtelet (closing night)
Highlights ChartrEstivales 2026
- 34th edition of a free summer festival in Chartres (since 1992)
- More than 40 free shows from July 3rd to August 22nd, 2026, Monday to Saturday at 9 PM
- Tribute concerts: Bruce Springsteen (11/07), Dire Straits (18/07), France Gall (25/07), Elton John (08/08), Johnny Hallyday (15/08)
- Sacred music concerts (organ, violin, flute, oboe, singing) at Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Open-air shows in the squares of the historic city center (Halles, Châtelet, Billard)
Prices ChartrEstivales 2026
Practical information — ChartrEstivales
Practical Information
Access
By car: Chartres is accessible via the A11 motorway from Paris. Several free parking lots are available near the city center.
By train: Chartres station is served from Paris-Montparnasse. The performance venues are within walking distance of the station.
Prices
All shows are completely free.
Schedules
Shows take place from Monday to Saturday at 9 PM, from early July to late August.
Venues
Shows are held on the squares of Chartres' city center and at Notre-Dame Cathedral for sacred music concerts.
Tips
- Bring your folding chair or a cushion for some outdoor shows.
- Check the program on the official website or social media for each evening's schedule.
- Enjoy the evenings to discover the Chartres en Lumières illuminations after the show.
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Where does it take place — ChartrEstivales
Places du centre-ville de Chartres
5 Cloître Notre-Dame, 28000 Chartres, 28000 Chartres