Les Nuits de Feu

A centuries-old pyrotechnic tradition

The history of fireworks in Chantilly dates back to 1672, when the Grand Condé hosted the Grand Dauphin of France and commissioned spectacular displays in the gardens designed by André Le Nôtre. The Domaine de Chantilly thus became a premier site for French pyrotechnics, a tradition that has been upheld for centuries.

The international competition (1987-2008)

Launched in 1987, Les Nuits de Feu established itself as one of the most prestigious international fireworks competitions in the world. For three days, the planet's greatest pyrotechnicians gathered in the gardens of the Château de Chantilly to showcase their creations and compete for the "Bouquet d'Or." The contest was organized by the Oise Departmental Tourism Committee with support from the General Council.

A grandiose spectacle

Each edition featured a dozen pyrotechnic shows, both in and out of competition, launched from the Le Nôtre parterres facing the château. The beauty of the site, the natural acoustics of the estate, and the reflection of the fireworks in the water basins created an incomparable visual and auditory experience. The event attracted up to 150,000 spectators, making it one of the most popular cultural highlights in Picardy.

The end of the event

The final edition took place on June 12, 13, and 14, 2008, featuring eleven competing pyrotechnicians. A subsequent edition was announced for 2010, then postponed to 2011 due to the restoration of the Le Nôtre park, but it never took place. The withdrawal of public financial support ultimately sealed the end of the competition after more than twenty years.

Fééries de Chantilly: the successor in 2026

To mark the fortieth anniversary of Les Nuits de Feu, the organizer Dreams Stars Events is relaunching the international pyrotechnic arts competition in Chantilly with a fresh format and a new name: the Fééries de Chantilly. The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 5th, 2026, at the Chantilly racecourse, on the lawns facing the estate, where over 12,000 spectators are expected.

Three teams will light up the Chantilly sky: Europea Pirotecnia for Spain, France Artifice for France, and Pyro Liuyang for China, each performing to iconic music from their home country. A laser show will provide the interlude between performances, and the audience will vote for the winning display at the end of the evening.

A living legacy in the Oise

Les Nuits de Feu remains etched in the memory of Oise residents and fireworks enthusiasts as one of the most beautiful pyrotechnic shows ever organized in Europe. Its spirit has been carried on since 2016 by the Masters de Feu, the international pyrotechnics competition at the Compiègne racecourse, and since 2026 by the Fééries de Chantilly, returning to the very grounds of the original contest.