Visit Chartres : a Local’s Guide

Would you like to visit Chartres and discover what to do there in one day?

This week, I’m taking you on a tour of Chartres, the capital of light! I completely fell in love with this city located just an hour from Paris, which is full of hidden gems. From the famous cathedral on the banks of the Eure River to the surprising Maison Picassiette, Chartres and its surroundings are a real change of scenery and deeply endearing.

Visiting Chartres is also an opportunity to discover another part of the Centre-Val de Loire region, which is often only known for the Châteaux de la Loire! So, if you’re coming to visit Chartres for a day or even spending a weekend in Chartres, here are 8 experiences that I highly recommend!

• How to get around Chartres?

Both parts of the city are easy to explore on foot. If you prefer to cycle, consider choosing an electric bike, as there are some steep hills in Chartres!

It takes about 1.5 hours to cycle to Maintenon. The route is fairly flat, with the exception of a few short sections.

You can also rent a car to visit Chartres and its surroundings !

Compare car rentals to find the best price!

• What to bring back from Chartres?

Among the specialties to discover in Chartres, the pâté de Chartres is a must. It is actually a pâté en croûte made mainly from game. For those who prefer something sweet, the sablés de Beauce and Mentchikoff (made with chocolate and meringue) will delight food lovers. And when it comes to drinks, I recommend l’Eurélienne beer!

You can find these products at the tourist office shop.

1. VISIT CHARTRES – THE CATHEDRAL

Of course, you can’t visit Chartres without admiring its beautiful cathedral! Every year, more than 1.5 million visitors flock to discover it! This grand lady is considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France, and you’ll quickly understand why when you see it!

From the outside, the cathedral is impressive with its two towers, rising to over 110 meters! Its richly sculpted central and side portals are also beautiful.

Then, upon entering the cathedral, you will be surprised at first glance by the large cobblestones on the floor and the painted stones on the walls. The dimensions of the nave seem immense…

And there are many treasures to discover in Chartres Cathedral! Starting with the choir screen, which resembles lace. In the center of the nave, the famous labyrinth invites the faithful to follow the path of 272 white stones, representing the twists and turns of life. Each stone is an opportunity for a new prayer for the pilgrim…

I was also completely captivated by the stained glass windows, which are an exceptional treasure. Chartres is home to the largest collection of 12th-century stained glass windows, with the famous Chartres blue, which is very bright. Just imagine: during the Second World War, 2,500 square meters of stained glass windows were removed in just three weeks to protect them!

And to top it all off, I invite you to climb up into the cathedral’s attic! It’s a wonderful visit, quite rare in cathedrals. You can see the stained glass windows from behind, the two majestic towers of the façade, a superb panorama of the city, and the roof structure! Replaced in the 19th century following a fire, it now resembles an upside-down boat made of cast iron and wrought iron…

Practical information: Chartres Cathedral visiting hours: open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. – free admission. The maze is open every Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tour of the attic at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (duration: 1 hour) – €6

2. VISIT CHARTRES – THE OLD TOWN

The historic center of Chartres stretches out around the cathedral, where centuries coexist. A few preserved half-timbered houses stand alongside street art scattered throughout the city. And you often have to keep your eyes peeled to spot them!

And while the old town is mostly plastered (this was already the case in the Middle Ages to protect the houses), old porches and mansions reveal traces of centuries past here and there.

As you stroll around, don’t miss the pretty Place d’Estienne d’Orves, Rue de l’Étroit Degré with its pretty houses, the Queen Berthe staircase and Rue des Écuyers, or the superb Maison du Saumon, which now houses the tourist office.

3. DISCOVER THE ART OF STAINED GLASS, A SPECIALITY OF CHARTRES

Chartres has been the capital of stained glass for centuries and several stained glass workshops are still established there. I was lucky enough to discover the Lorin workshop, the oldest stained glass workshop in Chartres, during a special visit organized on the weekend I went to Chartres!

But don’t worry, you can also discover the history and creations of stained glass artists all year round at the International Stained Glass Center, located just a stone’s throw from the cathedral. It’s fascinating to discover this incredible craft, which is often little known…

The Chartres workshops specialize in the creation of contemporary stained glass, but also in the restoration of antique stained glass. Every century, the stained glass windows of churches and cathedrals require renewed care!

To illustrate Chartres’ importance in the world of stained glass, imagine Lorin’s stained glass windows all over the world! They adorn, among other places, the largest cathedral in Asia in Ho Chi Minh City and the Church of the Presidents in Washington, D.C.

Practical information: Stained Glass Center: open every day from 2:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. – admission: €7 (reduced rate: €5.50)

4. VISIT CHARTRES FROM THE WATER

Everyone knows Chartres Cathedral, but did you know that one of the most beautiful parts of the city is on the banks of the Eure? The lower town was once the merchants’ quarter, nestled between the two arms of the river that runs through the city.

I really recommend strolling along the water’s edge as you wander through the heart of the small island formed by the arms of the Eure. It’s a very pleasant walk! As you stroll along, you’ll discover numerous stone bridges and old wash houses, which are illuminated at nightfall for Chartres en Lumières…

Each bridge offers an even more bucolic view than the last, and you’ll almost feel like you’re in the countryside!

5. HAVE DINER ON THE EURE RIVER

There’s no better way to enjoy the charm of the Eure river than by dining on the water! To do so, head to the Guinguette de Chartres, where the city reveals a wilder and greener side. Yet you’re only a stone’s throw from the city center! This pleasant setting during the day becomes magical in the evening when the lights come on and the bustle of the scene contrasts with the calm of the water.

You can dine on land or on the water, as the guinguette can take you by boat to a buoy in the middle of the Eure, where you will be served platters to share and local specialties!

A great way to visit Chartres with a difference… And to make the most of the Eure, you can also rent a canoe or a pedal boat.

6. VISIT CHARTRES “EN LUMIÈRES”

Don’t miss Chartres en Lumières, the sound and light show that lights up Chartres every evening in summer (and until December this year)! For 20 years, this show has been delighting young and old alike, and today, nearly 30 buildings host projections throughout the city.

The cathedral, the theater, and even the bridges and wash houses of the lower town are transformed at nightfall into magnificent colorful spectacles! Each show lasts several minutes, and the one at the cathedral lasts over twenty minutes. The show perfectly highlights the work of the builders and every detail of the cathedral’s portals!

You can discover the history of Chartres on the cathedral’s façade and a romantic story on the theater’s façade! And in the lower town, exotic plants and animals take over the bridges and wash houses this year.

The shows are regularly updated, and the magic works every time! I think Chartres is worth the trip for this alone!

Practical information: Chartres en Lumières Map of the different sites available to download

7. VISIT CHARTRES : THE CURIOUS MAISON PICASSIETTE

Now let me take you to discover another gem in Chartres. A stone’s throw from the historic center, the Maison Picassiette is a masterpiece of art brut that is not to be missed! Built and decorated by its owner, Raymond Isidore, between 1930 and 1964, it is reminiscent of the ideal palace of the Postman Cheval in the Drôme.

The artist owes his nickname to his relentless quest for broken plates, which he used (among other things) to build his work. It’s hard to imagine the number of pieces, shards, and debris it took to decorate the entrance courtyard, the interior of the house, and the garden… Everything, even the interior pipes, is covered with millions of colorful fragments.

Don’t hesitate to take a closer look to discover the diversity of objects and patterns on the walls. These fragments reveal a whole world that is both magical and deeply moving.

Practical information: Maison Picassiette: open every day during high season except Tuesdays. Opening times and dates can be checked here. Admission: €9 (reduced rate: €5)

8. VISIT CHARTRES – CHÂTEAU DE MAINTENON

The last must-see stop if you’re visiting Chartres is the Château de Maintenon. You can get there by bike by following a section of the Véloscénie, the cycle route that links Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel.

I fell head over heels in love with this magnificent château, which was the home of Madame de Maintenon, the second wife of the Sun King. The mix of styles on its two-tone façade, combining the Middle Ages and the 19th century, gives it a unique charm. At its feet, the superb French garden, ablaze with flowers, is also a delight for the eyes.

And at the far end of the park, you can see the remains of the Vauban aqueduct, which was built to supply water to the Palace of Versailles. Now overgrown with greenery, it was once the source of quarrels between the two spouses, as Madame was not at all pleased that the aqueduct commissioned by Monsieur spoiled the view from her château! You can also take a stroll to the aqueduct and enjoy the lovely park.

The interior of the Château de Maintenon is also magnificent, with a tour route through the 17th-century and 19th-century apartments, all of which are particularly well furnished. You can admire the impressive portrait gallery and the room where Louis XIV stayed during his visits to Maintenon!

Practical information:

– Maintenon Castle: open every day during high season except Mondays. Check opening times and dates here – Admission: €8.50 (reduced rate for young people: €4.50)

– Véloscénie route between Chartres and Maintenon: download the detailed itinerary

OTHER IDEAS TO VISIT CHARTRES AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

– Cycling routes (30 minutes away): for example, there is the Loir Valley by bike, or the Véloscénie, which links Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel. Cycling is also a great way to explore the beautiful landscapes of the Eure-et-Loir department. Along the way, you can discover green countryside and charming villages such as Epernon.

– Perche Regional Nature Park (45 minutes away): ideal for a nature break, the Perche is particularly known for its Percheron horses. Discover it from Nogent-le-Rotrou, for example!

– Paris (1 hour away): find my various articles on the City of Light here. On the agenda: the must-see attractions for a weekend in Paris, walking itineraries, and even day trips from Paris!

This blogpost follows an invitation from the Chartres Métropole tourist office. However, I remain entirely free to express my own opinions and am completely sincere in my recommendations! A huge thank you to Anne-Marie and her team, as well as to the service providers who gave me such a warm welcome.