Chartres Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Chartres showing heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and heritage elements
This Loire Valley town excites with its magnificent religious architecture, gorgeous parks, medieval streets and scenic riverside setting.

Ancient buildings, a monumental gothic cathedral, riverside parks and a spectacular light show are just some of the attractions awaiting visitors to Chartres. The picturesque city is situated in the Loire Valley on the banks of the River Eure.

Many people start their visit by exploring the cobbled streets of the medieval old town with its half-timber houses, antique stores and numerous cafés. As you do so, find your way to Chartres Cathedral. This colossal gothic structure dates back to the 12th century. Among its architectural highlights are the mismatched spires. One is Romanesque, the other is gothic. Inside, see the tunic that is said to have been worn by Mary when she gave birth to Jesus. Climb the northern spire for an incredible view of the city and beyond.

Among the town’s other ancient structures are St. Aignan Church, which originated in the fifth century and the Abbey of St. Pierre. Photograph the remains of Porte Guillaume, one of the ancient gates of Chartres.

Also worth seeing on your tour of the town are its museums. Study the large collection of tractors at the Agriculture Museum and peruse ancient and modern pieces at the Museum of Fine Arts. Visit Maison Picassiette, a house covered in mosaics.

When you are looking for some relxation, go to one of the parks. Stroll down to the banks of the river and rent a canoe or paddle boat at La Petite Venise. There is also a mini zoo here. Inhale the sweet scents of hundreds of roses at Andre Gagnon Park and walk among English oaks and redwoods at the Horticultural Gardens.

On your way out to dinner, stop by the old town for the light show. For around 200 consecutive nights, the cathedral and many other sites are illuminated by colored lights and images.

The parks, gothic cathedral and medieval streets of Chartres are approximately 56 miles (90 kilometres) from Paris. Arrive by train in little more than an hour and get around by rental car, public transport or by renting a bike from the office at the train station.

Kyriad Chartres
Kyriad Chartres
3 out of 5
24 Avenue Gustave Eiffel, Chartres, Eure-et-Loir
The price is ₹4,516 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹4,516
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Chartres. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Popular attractions L'Odyssee and La Maison Picassiette ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (730 reviews)
New restaurant
"We stay because it’s convenient when we’re on business. The restaurant has been upgraded and it is much better, nice and bright"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Kyriad Chartres
Novotel Chartres
Novotel Chartres
4 out of 5
5 ter Avenue Marcel Proust, Chartres, Eure-et-Loir
The price is ₹8,524 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹8,524
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Chartres. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Chartres Cathedral and L'Odyssee are located nearby. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (645 reviews)
"Nothing special to add"

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2024

Novotel Chartres
Hotel & Spa Le Grand Monarque, Best Western Premier Collection
Hotel & Spa Le Grand Monarque, Best Western Premier Collection
4 out of 5
22 Place Des Épars, Chartres, Eure-et-Loir
The price is ₹10,667 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹10,667
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Chartres. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (659 reviews)
Should have stayed longer
"Our stay was an overnight stopover to a rendezvous the following day. It is such a super place and we must return to stay longer and enjoy the hotel and Chartres"

Reviewed on 1 Dec 2023

Hotel & Spa Le Grand Monarque, Best Western Premier Collection
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residhome Chartres
Residhome Chartres
2 ter rue Pierre Mendès France, Chartres
Stay at this aparthotel in Chartres. Enjoy breakfast, on-site parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Chartres Cathedral and Église St-Pierre are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (57 reviews)
"We loved everything about our stay. The staff were all amazing and the accommodation was excellent. Just a short, easy stroll to the centre of Chartres which is a beautiful city. We also timed our stay to enjoy the lumieres in Chartres, with 20 different locations to enjoy the light show including ..."

Reviewed on 24 Oct 2023

Residhome Chartres
Résidences De Chartres
Résidences De Chartres
4 Rue Du Frou, Chartres
Stay at this residence in Chartres. Enjoy free WiFi, a flat-screen TV and digital TV. Popular attractions Église St-Pierre and Prow-Shaped House are located ...
6.4/10 (13 reviews)
If this was an upgrade, then I am a blindman
"Having had to pay for parking to check in at the named hotel, we then travelled to the apartment. On arrival having again paid for parking, we went into the apartment and found the bedroom with unmade dirty sheets and dirty towels in the bathroom. We phoned the hotel who said we could have an upgrade. ..."

Reviewed on 11 Sep 2019

Résidences De Chartres
Break & Brut
Break & Brut
7 rue de l'Eglise, Nogent-le-Roi, Centre-Loire Valley
Stay at this apartment in Nogent-le-Roi. Enjoy breakfast, a terrace and a snack bar/deli. Popular attractions Chateau de Maintenon and Bois Richeux Medieval ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
Lovely
"We LOVED this place! It was clean and charming. Our family of 4 had enough room."

Reviewed on 3 Apr 2023

Break & Brut
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Chartres

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
7
" "5 - Excellent 29.166666666666668%
4 - Good
14
" "4 - Good 58.333333333333336%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 8.333333333333334%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 4.166666666666667%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
27 Sep 2019

Lots to see and do. Light show amazing and Cathedral beautiful.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
16 Aug 2019

When we were lost on the first morning we went into the chamber de commerce to ask for help but found the receptionist very unhelpful.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
12 Aug 2019

Blighted by the number of roads closed for roadworks. Couldn't believe the number of times we had to follow a deviation.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
8 Jul 2019

Restaurants are quite expensive. Cathedral is magnificent

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
5 Jul 2019

The cathederal is worth a visit