Chartres, a city of about 42,000 people, is about an hour by car or train southwest of Paris; It is the capital of the Eure-et-Loir department in France. Chartres calls itself “the Capital of Light and Perfume” because it is located in the heart of the Cosmetic Valley (there is a perfume festival in April).
In 1979, the Gothic Cathedral of Chartres was the first UNESCO World Heritage list. It is the largest cathedral in France.
You will go to Chartres to see the Cathedral and maybe a museum or two. Chartres makes a nice day trip from Paris, or you can stay overnight. Chartres has many good restaurants and cafes.
Frequent trains run between Paris Gare Montparnasse and Chartres; The trip takes 50-75 minutes depending on the speed of the train. (Check schedules).
From the train station, just get out and start sailing towards the cathedral; You will see its huge spiers in front of you. In fact, you will see them from almost anywhere in Chartres.
By car, the roads are well marked and you should have no trouble navigating the city.
Chartres tourist office
The Chartres tourist office is conveniently located opposite the Cathedral. They will provide you with a walking map of the city. You can also get a hotel reservation there if you need one. You can send an email to the Tourist Office. The tourist office also sponsors gourmet weekends (see our Chartres Directory)
Interesting museums in Chartres
Musée des Beaux-Arts (Museum of Fine Arts of Chartres, located just behind the cathedral)
29, Cloître Notre-Dame
28000 – Chartres
Tel.: 33 (0) 2 37 36 41 39
Fax: 33 (0) 2 37 36 14 69
International Center of Stained Glass – Centro de vidrieras
Conservatory of Machinery and Agricultural Practices , a museum agrícola con exhibiciones de máquinas antiguas and artefacts de la vida rural alrededor de Chartres.
1, rue de la Republique
28300 Chartres – Mainvilliers Tel: 02.37.36.11.305,
The National Museum of Natural History – Museo de Ciencias Naturales y Prehistoria
Boulevard de la Courtille
28000 Chartres
Phone: 02.37.28.36.09
For other things to do if you are staying in Chartres for more than one day: 10 things to do in Chartres besides the Cathedral.
Where to stay
The Hotel Hotellerie Saint Yves offers simple accommodation with private bathrooms in a former seminary building. Retired people or groups can stay here; The price is very reasonable for a hotel about 100 meters from the cathedral.
The Hotel Mercure Chartres Cathedrale is also highly rated, but it is a more expensive four-star hotel.
HomeAway offers some Chartres vacation rentals if you need more room to spread out.
Excursions to Chartres Cathedral
Malcolm Miller tours are highly appreciated. A perpetual student of the cathedral, Malcolm offers tours at noon and 2:45 every day, except Sundays (contact information). Check with the Tourist Office before going. Miller’s book, Chartres Cathedral, is also highly appreciated.
The labyrinth of Chartres
Typical of many Gothic cathedrals, Chartres Cathedral has a labyrinth placed on the ground. The labyrinth dates from around 1200.
David’s Discoveries: A Tale of Two Mazes gives you a good idea of what to expect in regards to the Chartres Mazes:
“Unsurprisingly, of the approximately 2 million visitors who visit the cathedral each year, only a fraction of them walk through the labyrinth. It is accessible, which means that the chairs are removed from the floor space that the maze occupies, only on Fridays, April to April. October. Those who arrive on the wrong day or in the wrong season head to the lawn maze, where they mingle with the locals.
For more information on Chartres, see our Chartres Travel Directory.
The Taste of Chartres Unlocked
Jonell Galloway and James Flewellen lead food and wine tasting holidays in historic Chartres: Taste Unlocked.
