Coming home in June from New York, I met a charming young man, Nico Nancel, who lives in Paris, and is half-American and half-French. We became fast friends and met a few times for coffee. He invited me to an event he was producing, Le Rocher des Tresors in Chantilly. The show is the first time they have had a projection on the chateau, which is a big deal.
The dates of the event were last weekend, and I went on Sunday night. It was a crisp night, with the threat of rain, but the rain gods held out and they didn’t rain on the Chantilly parade. The event was well organized, and it took just a few minutes to check in with my ticket, Covid test, and security. I got a great seat, courtesy of Nico, with a front and center view of the chateau already bathed in light. The crowd was raring to go and at 9:45 promptly, the lights went out, and as Bugs Bunny once said, “On with the show!”
The spectacle was divided into eight acts and it weaves a tale of mystery and intrigue with stunning imagery and a grand, sweeping musical score. I have seen over a dozen illuminations events like this in Avignon, Nancy, on Notre Dame in Paris, on the Chartres Cathedral, and I have to say this one trumped them all, and one of the best I’ve ever experienced. Le Rocher des Tresors brought the animation and the excitement to a whole new, more sophisticated level. It also included fireworks in parts of the show, which again, brought it to another level. At the end I was on my feet, yelling bravo.
Even though you missed it this year, the good news is there’s going to be part two next year of Le Rocher des Tresors, which should not be missed, so make your plans soon.
I stayed at the wonderful Auberge du Jeu de Paume Hotel, a must when you go to Chantilly. I have stayed several times in this Relais&Chateaux gem, and it never disappoints. I had a spacious room, accented with lovely Toile de Jouy on the headboard and wall paper, a super comfortable king size bed, and fragrant toiletries from Rituals. Auberge du Jeu de Paume has a new chef, Anthony Denon, who formerly worked at Alain Ducasse. I had a relaxing dinner in the luxuriously appointed dining room before the show at Le Jardin d’Hiver, and my starter of sea bass tartare with fresh figs and almonds was a refreshing delight, followed by a intensely flavored lamb confit with caramelized eggplant and middle eastern spices. The three- course menu is only 56€ per person, and at lunch time during the week, they have a steal of a deal, two-courses for only 25€ per person.
Auberge du Jeu de Paume Hotel will be offering a special package for Le Rocher des Tresors next year, so stay tuned here for further info.
https://aubergedujeudepaumechantilly.fr/en/
HOw amazing! Thank you for sharing this incredible spectacle!
Posted by: CARMEN L CLARKE | September 29, 2021 at 02:39 AM