Chartres, France

Chartres

A Gothic cathedral famous for its blue stained glass.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
ParisFrance · CityParis78 kmRouenFrance · CityRouen115 kmAmboiseFrance · Hidden townAmboise121 kmProvinsFrance · Hidden townProvins134 kmHonfleurFrance · Hidden townHonfleur142 kmÉtretatFrance · Nature spotÉtretat169 kmBayeuxFrance · Hidden townBayeux185 kmBay of Somme (Saint-Valery)France · Nature spotBay of Somme (Saint-Valery)194 km

Things to do

2 days in Chartres

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit the cathedral and its famous blue stained glass.
  2. AfternoonWalk the old town and along the river Eure.
  3. EveningSee Chartres en Lumières, the light shows on its buildings.

Day 2

Visit the Maison Picassiette, a house covered in mosaics.

What to eat

Pâté de Chartres, a local pastry pie.

Local tips

Make the most of Chartres

Beat the crowds

Calm most of the year. Busier in summer for the light shows.

Best photo spot

The cathedral's blue stained glass from inside, and the cathedral from the river Eure.

Getting there

Trains from Paris Montparnasse take about an hour.

Don't miss nearby

The old lower town along the river, with its washhouses.

Good to know

From spring to autumn, the cathedral and buildings are lit up in the evenings for Chartres en Lumières.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Chartres

Our most hidden places around Chartres: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Chartres to take with you.

70 km away
90 km away
96 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Chartres

Getting there

  • Paris-Orly Airport (ORY)70 km away
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)100 km away
  • Paris80 km away
  • Rouen115 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeHidden town
Good forOld towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryFrance

Questions

Chartres: good to know

Is Chartres worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. A Gothic cathedral famous for its blue stained glass.

How many days do you need in Chartres?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Chartres?

You can visit all year. Calm most of the year. Busier in summer for the light shows.

How do you get to Chartres?

The nearest airport is Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), about 70 km away. Trains from Paris Montparnasse take about an hour.

What is there to see near Chartres?

Nearby hidden places include Paris (78 km), Rouen (115 km) and Amboise (121 km).

More hidden places in France (72)