A trip to Chartres is a great day out. What can you possibly do in a day? Answer: a lot. We’ve done it and this is how it worked out.
Arrive about 9am and stay until 6pm (or later, of course, if you find somewhere to have dinner) and you’ll have a wonderful day. You can’t see and do everything, of course; it simply means you’ll have to come back some other time.
Place Châtelet is a good place to start. The central square is a great place to enjoy a drink and people-watch. If you’re in Chartres for the day, it’s the place to take a little break.
You can’t miss the ‘sitting statues’ sculpture in the centre of the square. The life-size bronze ‘friends’ were made by German artist Hanneke Beaumont. There’s room for you to sit with them.
Chartres’ Old Town (La Vieille Ville) is a series of charming cobbled streets, with timber-framed houses, boutique shops and attractive cafes. That’s the perfect spot for lunch or afternoon tea.
Chartres: architecture
Spend the morning taking in the sheer beauty of Chartres. Here are the highlights.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres
Chartres Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an excellent example of Gothic architecture. It is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world and certainly Chartres’ top attraction.
It has had a fascinating history, suffering many fires. The first major one destroyed most of the building in 1020. The Cathedral was to be devastated by fire again in 1194 and again rebuilt and reconsecrated in 1260.
It is open, and free, for visitors every day from 8.30am to 7.30pm. Obviously, when services are being held, there is no general sightseeing.
Eglise Sainte-Foy
This beautiful building was once a church but has had various lives. During the French Revolution, for example, it became a theatre (until 1806). Most of the sacred spaces have been demolished but the partially ruined portal (12th century) and the 15th century chevet (apse) at the eastern end still remain. Eglise Sainte-Foy is now an auction house.
Maison Picassiette
This unique ‘mosaic house’ is an often-photographed attraction that blends art and recycling. The owner, Raymond Isidore, covered his house – inside and out – with colorful mosaics made from pieces of broken glass, pottery and other discarded materials. After his death, in 1964, his wife stayed there. When she died in 1979, the city of Chartres took over the care of the house.
Hôtel de Ville (City Hall)
Chartres’ City Hall is an elegant building with a beautiful façade and is worth a visit for its architecture and historical significance.
Hôtel des Postes
Chartres’ media library (Mediatheque de Chartres) was formerly was a post office. The beautiful building, designed by architect Raoul Brandon, was built between 1923 and 1928. It was inspired by medieval architecture, with a new-Gothic bell tower and elements of the Art Deco style that was becoming more popular at the time. The building, however, wasn’t popular with all of the city’s residents when it first opened.
Chartres’ civic authorities repurposed the post office as a media library in 2007 after fully reconstructing the interior. It is now the Mediatheque L’ Apostrophe.
Chartres: history
There’s a strong sense of history in a relatively small space. And it’s all there within an easy walk of the centre of Chartres.
Chartres’ Bishopric Gardens
These beautiful gardens (Jardins de l’Évêché) have lovely walkways, flowerbeds and fountains and views of the cathedral, which is right next door. They offer a peaceful escape and place to take a break; they also tell stories of the past.
In the gardens, you’ll see a Statue of Fulbert, Bishop of Chartres, a poet and a scholar. He was born in Italy in the middle of the 10th century and later studied in Reims. He became Bishop of Chartres in 1007 and built the cathedral after the old one burned down in 1020.
Road of Remembrance
The Gardens are the beginning of the Esplanade de la Résistance, which is part of the Road of Remembrance (Chemin de Mémoire).
You can see a number of memorials and monuments along the walking trail. Here are just four:
- The Broken Sword Monument. This pink granite fist holding a broken sword pays homage to Jean Moulin (1899-1943), who was Prefect of Eure-et-Loir and the first President of the Conseil National de la Résistance, which organised the activities of the Resistance during Wll.
It is inscribed: ‘To Jean Moulin; Organiser of the Resistance; Hero and Martyr’ - At the foot of the monument, under a block of pink granite, is the resting place of The Martyrs’ Ashes – the remains of some of those who suffered and died in Nazi concentration camps
- ‘Resurrection: La Rose de Ravensbruck. This is a rose tree, planted close by, cultivated in memory of the women who were deported to the Ravensbrück concentration camp
- Further along, on the edge of Place Chatelet, is the monument commissioned in 1895, after the Franco Prussian War (1870 to 1871) and opened in 190. It stands as a Memorial To the Sons and Daughters of Eure-et-Loir, who died during the war.
Chartres: art and culture
You can spend the afternoon enjoying the arts and heritage of Chartres.
The Fine Arts Museum
Try to visit the beautiful Musée des Beaux-Arts de Chartres. Its superb collection of paintings, sculptures and decorative arts. It is housed in a magnificent palace that was once the Bishop’s residence.
The International Stained Glass Centre
Chartres has a long history of stained glass craftsmanship. In the Centre International du Vitrail you’ll learn about the art of creating stained glass. There are also workshops and a museum displaying beautiful stained glass pieces and modern pieces from artists who work with glass. It’s a brilliant way to spend an hour or two.
Museum of Agriculture
Le Compa – Musée de l’Agriculture is perfect if you have an interest in agriculture and rural history. The museum showcases the history of farming and agriculture in the region and features a range of farming equipment throughout the ages.
The House of Salmon
If you prefer fish, you can visit the famous Maison du Saumon, learn about the traditional methods of smoking fish and taste some delicious products. The house was built around 1500 and has a salmon carved on its exterior. You’ll find it, appropriately, on rue de la Poissonnerie (Fishmonger Street).
Without doubt, Chartres is a great day out. It’s an easy train or car trip from Paris. If you are staying longer, of course, there’s far more to see and do.
See more Francy That! suggestions for Places To Go.
Information
LOCATION: Centre-Val de Loire, in north-central France.
DISTANCE FROM PARIS: approximately 90 km (56 miles) southwest of Paris.
POPULATION: 38,000+
NEAREST AIRPORT: Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), which is located about 115 km (72 miles) northeast of Chartres; Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), approximately 80 km (50 miles) to the northeast.
NEAREST TRAIN STATION: Gare de Chartres.
TOURIST INFORMATION: 8, rue de la Poissonnerie
MARKETS: Saturday market; specialty markets and flea markets at various times.
MUST SEE: The Old Town; Maison Picassiette; the museums; the architecture.
