Magical summer evenings in Le Mans

At sunset each evening between 27 June and 29 August and the first three weekends of September, the spectacular ‘La Nuit des Chimères’ magical show is played out upon the ancient walls and flying buttresses of the medieval city of Le Mans.

Each Son et Lumière celebrates a part of Le Mans’ history with mythical creatures fighting celestial battles of good against evil, concerts of flying birds and angels whilst imaginary bodies of devils, dragons and demons are consumed within the flames of hell displayed upon the Saint Julien cathedral, all along the Roman walls and upon the medieval city ramparts. Queen Bérengère’s magical white ghost moves through her water garden and Kings Henry and Richard enjoy a banquet with Queens Aliénor, Bérengère and Cassandre.

The shows are perfect for all the family with friendly spirits and gargoyles lighting the way between the sites and through the charming cobbled streets of Le Mans! The evening shows run from sunset to midnight from Tuesday to Saturday evenings throughout the summer.

Getting there: Le Mans is just one hour by train from Paris, and one and a half hours’ drive from the northern ferry port at Caen (via the newly completed A28). There are also new daily flights from London City to Nantes (two hours’ drive away with Air France, operated by CityJet and VLM Airlines.