Spectacle Nocturne du Château de Maintenon — En Nocturne

Summer Evenings at Château de Maintenon

Every summer, the Château de Maintenon opens its gardens in the evening. The estate, traversed by the unfinished aqueduct that Louis XIV commissioned Vauban to divert the waters of the Eure towards Versailles, offers a unique heritage setting for twilight evenings. Visitors stroll through the recreated French-style gardens, originally designed by André Le Nôtre, and enjoy the view of the château and its aqueduct.

A Sound and Light Show « En Nocturne » that Left its Mark on the Estate

In past editions, the château was the setting for a sound and light show titled « En Nocturne ». Videographer Xavier de Richemont created monumental projections that embraced the architecture of the château's three facades — the Châtelet, the Logis, and the Donjon — to tell, in several scenes, the extraordinary rise of Françoise d'Aubigné, born in prison in Niort and who became Marquise de Maintenon, governess of the royal children, and then secret wife of the Sun King. Created to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Le Nôtre's birth and the 330th anniversary of the secret marriage of 1683, the show combined historical skits performed by actors in the gardens, sound effects, and monumental lights at nightfall.

Vauban's Aqueduct as a Backdrop

The setting for the evenings is enhanced by the majestic presence of the unfinished Maintenon aqueduct. Its imposing arches, visible from the château gardens, form a grandiose and historically rich backdrop. This juxtaposition of the château, gardens, and aqueduct makes the estate's summer evenings a unique heritage experience.

Preparing for Your Evening

Summer evenings generally take place on Saturdays in July and August. As the site's capacity is limited, booking with the château is highly recommended.