Candlelight concerts illuminate the incredible Hangar Y in Meudon

For the first time, Candlelight is setting up thousands of candles at Hangar Y for a series of vibrant concerts. Thanks to its 23-meter-high glass roof, the boundary between nature and the interior space blurs, allowing you to enjoy the view of the surrounding trees and plants. Illuminated by candlelight, the glass structure that forms the venue’s impressive architecture takes on a new dimension, reflecting the light and immersing you in a poetic atmosphere. 

Let the venue lull you and transport you into the world of Queen or Hans Zimmer. Pop, jazz, rock, classical… With Candlelight, all musical genres are performed in a classical style to blur the lines and create a musical experience that transcends boundaries.

A place with so much history was bound to host a project in keeping with its past. Focused on culture and art, and in the spirit of the World’s Fair it once hosted, Hangar Y continues to serve as a center for culture and innovation.

Put on your mixed-reality headsets (which blend the real and virtual worlds) and set out to discover the highlights and history of the site. You’ll emerge from this 30-minute tour with all the knowledge you need to understand the Hangar’s history.

Even though it has only recently reopened, Hangar Y has already hosted exhibitions. The first was about our favorite star: the Sun. And the second was a fully immersive digital installation, RECHARGER, featuring a fascinating immersive tunnel entirely studded with LEDs.

In a space that blends modernity and comfort, the Hangar Y restaurant awaits you with its waterfront terrace. The decor is warm, the seating is comfortable, and the lighting is soft—everything you need to enjoy a delicious meal in this perfectly intimate setting.

Hangar Y, an icon of late 19th-century industrial architecture, stands out for its iron structure, exposed brickwork, glass roof, and curved lines. Built in 1879 by architect Henri De Dion, a former student of Gustave Eiffel, the hangar repurposed a section of the Grande Galerie des Machines from the 1878 World’s Fair to house airships. Its large glass roof and 23-meter-high ceiling provide exceptional natural light, while its north-facing orientation and the surrounding vegetation shield it from excessive sunlight.

Hangar Y, the world’s first airship hangar, played a major role in French aeronautics from the 19th century through World War I. Built on military plot “Y,” it housed the Chalais-Meudon Aerostatic Establishment. Hangar Y continued to serve as a center of innovation until the end of World War I, manufacturing airships and balloons for the Allies. After the war, it became the first Air and Space Museum in 1921, showcasing aeronautical treasures and illustrating their role in the defense of France.

In 1964, Marc Chagall—one of the most famous artists based in France in the 20th century, alongside Pablo Picasso—devoted his talent to creating the ceiling of the Opéra Garnier, a significant project. Hangar Y, with its vast 2,800 m² nave, provided the ideal space to assemble the 13 ceiling panels. On August 7, 1964, the completed ceiling was transported to the Opéra Garnier, where it was unveiled to the public on September 23, 1964.

This new cultural gem joins the unique venues in and around the capital that serve as exceptional hosts for the sublime Candlelight concerts. Within its walls, the greatest artists in the history of classical music come to life under the masterful direction of virtuoso musicians who transport you into their worlds for an evening.

Don’t wait to discover this unique place, and be the first to hear about its events through its social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube