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Chartres — Gothic Majesty in the Heart of the Beauce
Centre-Val de Loire, France · Population ~40,000
Pourquoi Séjourner à Chartres?
Chartres is the jewel of the Beauce plain — a medieval city whose skyline is dominated by one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Europe. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, draws pilgrims, art historians, and travellers from every corner of the globe. Its 176 original stained-glass windows, crafted between the 12th and 13th centuries, survive intact — an unbroken bridge to the medieval mind.
Beyond the cathedral, Chartres is a city of layers. The old quarter, with its half-timbered houses and cobbled lanes encircling the cathedral hill, retains a profoundly authentic French character that larger tourist centres have long since lost. The Centre International du Vitrail keeps the stained-glass tradition alive with working workshops and exhibitions. The Festival of Lights (En Lumières), running from April to September, transforms the cathedral and riverside monuments into a canvas of projected light and colour each evening.
Chartres also holds a quieter place in modern history. During the First World War, the city hosted the American Expeditionary Forces under General John J. Pershing. In the Second World War, it was liberated by General Patton's Third Army in August 1944 — a key chapter in the Battle of Normandy's southern push. This layered history — medieval, revolutionary, and 20th-century — makes Chartres a destination that rewards the curious traveller.
For the eco-conscious visitor, Chartres offers a compact walkable centre, excellent rail connections from Paris (under an hour), and the chance to explore the Beauce countryside on foot or by bike. Booking through EcoHotels-impt.com means every night you stay offsets one tonne of CO₂ at no extra cost. You get the same room, the same price, plus 5% cashback and a €5 welcome credit. It's travel that pays the planet back.
Chartres at a Glance
Profiter au Maximum de Your Chartres Visit
Chartres is compact enough to explore on foot over a long weekend, but thoughtful planning makes the difference between a good trip and an unforgettable one. Start with the cathedral — it's the city's gravitational centre, and for good reason. Arrive early (the nave opens at 8:30 am) to experience the stained glass in morning light. The rose window and the deep Chartres blue — a cobalt pigment that medieval glaziers perfected and that remains impossible to replicate exactly — are best seen with the sun behind you.
Book a guided tour of the cathedral crypt, which at 110 metres is the third-largest in France. The labyrinth, inlaid in the nave floor around 1200, is walked by pilgrims on the Santiago de Compostela route; you can walk it on Fridays when the chairs are cleared. After the cathedral, descend into the old town. The Maison du Saumon, built in the 15th century, is the oldest surviving house in Chartres and now houses a small museum of medieval life.
Food is a highlight of any Chartres visit. The Beauce plain is the breadbasket of France, and local lamb (Prés-salés), Pâté de Chartres, crottin de Chavignol, and mentchikoff chocolates should all feature on your culinary itinerary. Time your visit for the Chartres Jazz Festival (usually late summer) or the En Lumières light show, which runs from April to September and projects artworks onto the cathedral facade from dusk until midnight. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Boucle de la Voise walk follows the river through meadow and woodland, while the medieval quarter walk takes you past half-timbered houses and the Porte Guillaume tower.
Où Séjourner in Chartres
City Centre — Around the Cathedral
Staying within the medieval core puts you steps from the cathedral, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, and the best restaurants. The narrow streets around Place Drouaise and Place Châtelet are particularly atmospheric. Hotels here tend to be in converted historic buildings, so rooms vary in size — the charm comes from the setting.
Rue du Grand Faubourg — Main Boulevard
This broad avenue just outside the old city walls is where several major chain hotels cluster, including the Mercure and Novotel. Quieter than the centre, with easier parking and wider rooms, it's a good base if you're driving. The walk to the cathedral is 10–15 minutes.
Near the Train Station
The area around Chartres Gare is convenient for day-trippers arriving by rail from Paris. It's less picturesque than the centre but practical for short stays, with several budget-friendly options and direct bus routes to the cathedral.
Recommended Hotels in Chartres
Chartres — Things to Do in Chartres
1. Chartres Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres)
The centrepiece of any visit. Built primarily between 1194 and 1220, Chartres Cathedral is considered the pinnacle of French Gothic architecture. Its 176 stained-glass windows — notably the deep Chartres blue — date mostly from the 12th and 13th centuries and survived the French Revolution. Free entry; guided tours of the crypt (the third-largest in France), towers, and labyrinth available.
2. Centre International du Vitrail
Housed in a former granary, this museum and workshop is dedicated to the art and craft of stained glass. Watch artisans at work, view contemporary commissions, and understand the science behind medieval glassmaking. 5 minutes' walk from the cathedral.
3. Musée des Beaux-Arts
Located in the former Bishop's Palace adjacent to the cathedral. Houses paintings from the 16th to 20th centuries, including works by Zurbarán, Van Loo, and a collection of enamels. The building itself — with views over the cathedral gardens — is worth the visit.
4. En Lumières (Festival of Lights)
From April to September, the cathedral, the Porte Guillaume, and other monuments along the Eure river are illuminated with projected artworks and light sequences. Free, runs from dusk until midnight. The cathedral facade light show is particularly spectacular.
5. Maison du Saumon
The oldest surviving house in Chartres (built 15th century) at 33 Rue de la Poissonnerie. Now a small museum of medieval domestic life. The half-timbered facade with carved salmon is one of the most photographed spots in the city.
6. Porte Guillaume
The last remaining gate of the medieval city fortifications, overlooking the Eure valley. A landmark of the En Lumières festival and a great vantage point for photographs.
7. Chartres Jazz Festival
Annual festival held in late summer/early autumn, with concerts held in the cathedral cloister, the theatre, and open-air venues across the city. Attracts international and French jazz musicians.
8. Jardin de la Préfecture
A formal French garden behind the Prefecture building, with manicured lawns, flower beds, and views over the Eure. Peaceful spot for a mid-afternoon break away from the tourist trail.
Best Randonnées & Tours in Chartres
Chartres Medieval Quarter Walk
Distance: 3 km · Duration: ~1.5 hours · Difficulty: Easy
Starting at the cathedral, this walk winds through the old town past half-timbered houses on Rue Chantault and Rue de la Porte Cendreuse, the Maison du Saumon, and down to the Eure river. The circuit returns via Rue des Changes and the Porte Guillaume. Downloadable audio guides available from the tourist office.
Chartres Cathedral Tour
Duration: ~1.5 hours · Difficulty: Easy
Guided tour covering the nave, the 176 stained-glass windows (including the Notre-Dame de la Belle Verrière), the labyrinth (accessible Fridays when chairs are removed), and the crypt. The crypt at 110 metres is the third-largest in France and contains the remains of the earlier Romanesque basilica and the well of the Saints-Forts.
Boucle de la Voise
Distance: 8 km · Duration: ~2.5 hours · Difficulty: Easy
A riverside walking trail starting from the southern edge of Chartres, following the Voise river through meadows and light woodland. Mostly flat, well-marked, and suitable for walkers of all fitness levels. Great for birdwatching and spring wildflowers.
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Questions Fréquentes
How do hôtels écologiques in Chartres work with IMPT?+
Every booking made through EcoHotels-impt.com offsets 1 tonne of CO₂ at no extra cost. You pay the same price as Booking.com, earn 5% cashback, and receive a 5 € de crédit gratuit when you sign up. The platform gives you access to over 8 million hotels worldwide — all bookable with automatic carbon offsetting.
What is the best time to visit Chartres?+
The ideal window is April through October. The Festival of Lights (En Lumières) runs from April to September, with magnificent light projections on the cathedral every evening. May, June, and September offer the best balance of mild weather and manageable visitor numbers. The Jazz Festival typically takes place in late summer.
Is Chartres Cathedral free to visit?+
Yes, entry to the cathedral nave is free. Guided tours of the crypt (€7–10), the towers (climb the 365 steps for panoramic views), and the labyrinth have individual fees. The crypt is the third-largest in France at 110 metres and contains the well of the Saints-Forts.
How do I get from Paris to Chartres?+
Trains depart from Paris Montparnasse station to Chartres Gare roughly hourly, with a journey time of 50–70 minutes. By car, Chartres is 88 kilometres southwest of Paris via the A11 motorway (about 1 hour 15 minutes in normal traffic). Chartres Métropole airport serves private and charter flights.
What local food is Chartres known for?+
Chartres is renowned for Pâté de Chartres — a terrine of game or poultry baked in a decorative pastry crust. The Beauce plain produces exceptional lamb (Prés-salés du Mont-Saint-Michel style), and the region is home to crottin de Chavignol goat cheese. For dessert, look for mentchikoff — tiny chocolate-covered meringues that are a local specialty. Local honey is also excellent.
Is Chartres a good day trip from Paris?+
Absolutely. With trains under an hour from Paris Montparnasse, Chartres makes an excellent day trip. However, staying overnight lets you experience the En Lumières light show and visit in the quiet morning hours when the cathedral is nearly empty. An overnight stay also offsets a tonne of CO₂ through your booking.