What if, for once, you waited until nightfall to visit a castle? Forget those Sunday afternoon tours: in October, several monuments in the region will open their doors once the sun has set. On the agenda, historic mansions, unique experiences, and an atmosphere that feels just right as Halloween approaches. Calling all lovers of old stone and delightful chills.
Nearly 100 castles to discover after dark
On Friday October 16th, Saturday 17th, and Sunday 18th, 2026, the Night of Castles returns for its eighth edition. Organized since 2019 by Dartagnans, this event invites visitors to discover French heritage in a whole new light. This year, nearly 100 castles and monuments are taking part in the operation, with experiences specially designed for the occasion. Torchlit tours, shows, concerts, candlelit dinners, illuminations, and mystery games
immersive experiences: each estate offers its own programming. And contrary to what you might think, there's no need to travel across France to enjoy them. Several châteaux in the Hauts-de-France region are already among the participants in this year's edition.A murder mystery party in a Pas-de-Calais château
This is probably one of the most original experiences announced in the region. On October 17th and 18th, the château de Grand-Rullecourt, located in the Pas-de-Calais, will transform into a full-scale investigation setting. Visitors will be invited to participate in a murder mystery party within this imposing mansion from the 17th and 18th centuries. The concept? Find the murderer among several suspects, while exploring the château and its adjoining buildings. Suffice to say that Clue enthusiasts are likely to take their role very seriously. And the setting should certainly contribute to the atmosphere. With its living rooms, chapel, library, ancient staircases and vast grounds, the châteGrand-Rullecourt has some great reasons to help us forget we're in 2026. The event is already open for reservations for Saturday, October 17th and Sunday, October 18th.
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Three other castles in the Hauts-de-France region are taking part in the event
The good news is that Grand-Rullecourt isn't the only castle in the region extending its hours into the night. In the Pas-de-Calais, the Château de Cercamp, in Frévent, will participate in the Night of Castles on October 16, 17 and 18bre. Housed in a former abbey, the estate features magnificent drawing rooms, wood paneling, a cloister, and a park where traces of its monastic past can still be found. The Château de Couin, also located in Pas-de-Calais, will likewise open its doors during the three days of the event. A wonderful opportunity to discover this 18th-century residence in an unusual atmosphere. A little further away, in the Oise, the Château de Boulogne-la-Grasse is also among the participating monuments from October 16 to 18. For these three addresses, detailed activities and reservation procedures are still to be confirmed on the official event website. Plenty of surprises to look forward to in the coming weeks.
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Exceptional evenings to discover our heritage in a whole new way
Beyond the entertainment, Night of the Châteaux also pursues a mission: to attract new visitors to monuments that are sometimes overlooked and to raise public awareness about their preservation. Because behind the grand façades and majestic staircases often hide private properties whose upkeep and restoration represent considerable work. Since its launch in 2019, the event has welcomed more than 180,000 visitors and brought together nearly 300 partner monuments, according to its organizer. A lovely testament to the fact that the French haven't lost their love for historic architecture. And it must be said that a castle lit up in the middle of an autumn evening possesses a charm that's quite hard to beat. Especially when a murder mystery is part of the program.
Night of the Châteaux 2026
Dates: Friday 16, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026
Program and bookings: nuitdeschateaux.com