Chartres' free summer evenings
The ChartrEstivales are Chartres' summer evenings, a free festival that has enlivened the heart of the city every summer since 1992. Throughout the summer, from July to August, about fifty free shows are offered from Monday to Saturday at 9 PM on the squares of the city center: concerts of all styles, plays, shows for children, choirs, and concerts at Notre-Dame Cathedral. Supported by an association of passionate volunteers since 2007, the ChartrEstivales have become an essential cultural event for Chartres residents and visitors.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The 34th edition of ChartrEstivales will take place from July to August 2026. As every summer, about fifty free shows will be offered in the squares of Chartres city center: concerts, theater, shows for young audiences, and concerts at the cathedral.
ChartrEstivales returns for its 34th edition during the summer of 2026. The program, to be announced in the spring, will offer, as every year, about fifty free shows from Monday to Saturday at 9 PM in the squares of Chartres city center.
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.
All shows are completely free.
Shows take place from Monday to Saturday at 9 PM, from early July to late August.
Shows are held on the squares of Chartres' city center and at Notre-Dame Cathedral for sacred music concerts.
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Places du centre-ville de Chartres