La Nuit des Chimères, a luminous enchantment

Marvel at the breathtaking visual and sound creations of La Nuit des Chimères in July, August and December. A poetic stroll through the historic Cité Plantagenêt district of Le Mans, where the facades come to life as if by magic...

Don't be surprised if you come across passers-by suddenly frozen, eyes wide. Every night during the summer, the Plantagenet town of Le Mans is the scene of a strange merry-go-round. The charming historic town center sees its half-timbered houses, cobblestones and monuments light up, welcoming a myriad of characters and creatures. Projected onto the walls, they take part in a variety of tableaux unveiled during a theatrical stroll open to all and free of charge.

Along the way, chimeras, magic lanterns and gargoyles pop up between these surreal scenes. Above are images of the creations imagined and staged by Skertzò's dream-showmen for the eight dedicated sites. From the cathedral, hosting a concert of angel musicians, to the wall of the Pans-de-Gorron, where strange builders are at work, not forgetting the astonishing improvised banquet in the courtyard of the Conservatoire... you won't be disappointed!

Between Angels and Demons - Chevet of Saint-Julien Cathedral

On the high walls of this architectural jewel, one of the largest cathedrals in France, various projected tableaux come to life, sprouting a monumental forest, sending angels twirling, drawing a giant stained-glass window or transforming the edifice into a ship.
(duration of sequence: 15 mn)

The birth of chimeras - Water jet staircase

Close to the cathedral's chevet, the water fountain in Place des Jacobins awakens chimeras that frolic on its balustrade and double flight of steps, before climbing up the walls of the religious monument.
(duration of sequence: 15 mn)

Concert of Angels - Facade of Saint-Julien Cathedral

Escaping from one of the cathedral's vaults, musician angels appear on the Romanesque facade and give a veritable concert, strumming the strings of the eschiquier or blowing old-fashioned flutes and bagpipes. This creation is inspired by the fresco discovered in the 19th century in one of the building's chapels, depicting 47 singing and musical angels.
(duration of sequence: 10 mn)

Royal Chimeras - Royal Porch of Saint-Julien Cathedral

The large figures adorning the cathedral's royal porch, through which the good people once entered to attend services, suddenly come to life thanks to a system of projected images that follow their shapes. The process allows us to rediscover the delicacy of their features, which passers-by don't usually linger over.
(duration of sequence: 5 minutes)

Labyrinthe des Chimères - Muraille des Pans-de-Gorron

An incredible fresco on the Pans-de-Gorron wall, a 180-meter-long structure in the historic center of Le Mans! Emerging from the ground, strange creatures set to work raising towers, digging tunnels or implanting large figures. A procession of musicians marches past, two flying chimeras arrive... Something's afoot!
(duration of sequence: 20 mn)

Masks and Dragons - Muraille Saint-Hilaire

On the Roman wall built around the town in the 3rd century, between the Tour des Ardents and the Tour de Tucé, monsters, knights, dancers and giant masks appear, each in their own way celebrating myths, dreams and legends.
(duration of sequence: 20 mn)