Chartres

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7 places on the map

Free things to do

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Take the TER from Paris: trains from Paris Montparnasse reach Chartres in about an hour; buy tickets in the SNCF Connect app, as Navigo passes do not cover it.
Walk the old town: Chartres is compact, with the cathedral, upper town and the Basse Ville along the Eure all reachable on foot from the station.
Ride the little tourist train: a seasonal petit train loops through the old streets, helpful if you want to save your legs on the hills.

Mind cobbles and steps: the lanes down to the Eure are steep and uneven, so wear comfortable shoes, especially when wet.
Keep an eye on bags: Chartres is safe, but watch your belongings on busy trains and in crowds at the cathedral.
Check the last train back: if you are day-tripping from Paris, note the last TER times so you are not stranded after the evening light show.

Enter the cathedral for free: Chartres Cathedral is free to visit; you pay only for extras like the crypt tour or tower climb.
Shop the market: the Saturday market at Place Billard is great for picnic supplies like cheese, bread and fruit.
See Chartres en Lumieres for free: the evening light show projects onto the cathedral and other buildings for free during its season.

Pack layers for mild weather: Chartres has a temperate climate, with cool winters, warm summers and wind across the Beauce plain.
Bring a jacket inside: the cathedral can be cool even in summer, so keep a light layer while admiring the stained glass.
Carry rain gear: showers are common in spring and autumn, so an umbrella or rain jacket keeps sightseeing comfortable.

Say bonjour first: always greet shopkeepers and staff with bonjour before asking a question; it is basic French courtesy.
Taste Mentchikoff and pate de Chartres: try the town's signature chocolate sweets and the traditional pate en croute from local shops.
Walk the labyrinth: the medieval floor labyrinth in the cathedral is uncovered on certain days in the warmer months; walking it is a quiet ritual.

Visit Maison Picassiette: this house covered inside and out in broken-crockery mosaics is a quirky, lesser-known Chartres gem.
Stroll the lavoirs on the Eure: the old wash houses and bridges in the lower town make for the best quiet walks and photos.
Learn about stained glass: the Centre International du Vitrail explains the craft behind the famous Chartres blue windows.

Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.

Day 1 of 1

🕘 9:30–16:30📍 5 stops