In 1672 Louis II de Bourbon received his Royal Highness the Great Dauphin of France at Chateau Chantilly and to celebrate the visit there was a spectacular celebration. With the chateau providing a magnificent backdrop against the setting sun there was the most awe inspiring firework display. Thus the tradition of fireworks and Chantilly was born. Since 1987 every other year a fireworks competition has been held, accompanied by symphonic music.

This year 3 firework designers (pyrotechnists as the French say) will compete for 75 minutes each evening, and this "Nuits de Feu" will, for three nights, allow the general public to marvel at one of the greatest displays ever staged.

Picardy is only two and a half hours drive from Calais and so easily accessible from Britain, and is a perfect region of France for a short break, so why not plan to be in Picardy in mid June and enjoy a night at Chantilly to enjoy the music and fireworks?

Lodgings.info have a directory of Chantilly Hotels and Booking.com also have a list of Hotels in Chantilly