It’s that time of year when the sun sets later, temperatures are milder, and people gather to watch what France does so well, an evening light show!
Seine-Maritime
‘Cathedral of Light’ in Rouen
Every summer, hundreds of thousands of spectators line the square in front of Rouen cathedral to watch its facade come to life. Once painted by Claude Monet at different times of day, Notre-Dame cathedral is the tallest in France. This year, the ‘Cathédrale de Lumière’ event will focus on Impressionism, opening with a ‘painting’ by Japanese photographer and filmmaker Mika Ninagawa — one of the highlights of the Normandy Impressionnist festival. It will be followed by a screening of Ninagawa’s work Première Impression, which evokes the world of plein air painters with its interplay of light, colour and reflections.
From 29 May to 19 September 2026
Every evening at nightfall
Free!
Calvados
Bayeux Cathedral light and sound show
Since 2022, this magical event has brought the south side of Bayeux Cathedral to life with a show based on nature and the four seasons. This year a new creation inspired by the lush, colourful landscapes of the painter Alain Thomas, a master of naïve-primitive painting, entitled ‘Contemplations’.
From 14 July to 29 August 2026
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at nightfall
Free!
Manche
Night shows at the Mont-Saint-Michel
Rediscover Normandy’s most famous landmark through a new light show for this summer. Enter the Abbey of the Mont-Saint-Michel and watch the historic walls, ceiling and floors brought to life for the ‘Colorama’ light show. Wander through the various rooms of the abbey in the evening offers the chance to enjoy the calm of the abbey church, the west terrace, and the magnificent sunset over the bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel.
From 3 July to 31 August 2026
From 7pm to midnight
Tours : from €18 to €21
Free for kids under 7
Calvados
A dazzling, never-before-seen show in the skies above Deauville
Come along to the racecourse on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July for a show never before seen in France: 1,000 perfectly synchronised drones lighting up the sky for an immersive 70-minute night-time spectacle. The drones will create giant light displays that are sure to amaze young and old alike (ages 3 and over).
Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July 2026 at 8:30pm
Deauville‑La Touques racecourse
Adults: 35€
Kids: 19€
Thematics