Chartres lies 90 km southwest of Paris in Eure-et-Loir and is reached in approximately 70 minutes by SNCF Intercités train from Paris Montparnasse station (around €17 single). The cathedral is visible from the approaching train and stands a 10-minute flat walk from the station through the lower town.
The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres is widely considered one of the finest surviving examples of French Gothic architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The rebuilding after the fire of 1194 produced a structure of exceptional coherence: the nave, choir, transepts, and both towers were built within a single generation, giving the interior a stylistic unity rare in Gothic cathedrals. Entry to the nave is free.
The interior holds 176 stained-glass windows spanning nine centuries of glazing. The 12th-century panels — and in particular the deep blue known as Chartres Blue — are recognised as among the most refined medieval glass in existence. The 43-metre-wide labyrinth set into the nave floor is one of the largest surviving medieval labyrinths; it is uncovered for walking on Fridays from April to October (usually around midday to 12:30). The North Tower offers a panoramic view over the Beauce plain and the Loire Valley; guided ascents run daily for around €6. Volunteer-led cathedral tours in English are offered daily at noon (except Sundays) by Les Compagnons de Chartres — free with a donation and consistently praised by visitors.
The Old Town below the cathedral spreads along the banks of the Eure river, with a medieval quarter of half-timbered houses, stone wash-houses, and cobbled streets descending from the cathedral precinct. Rue de la Foulerie and Rue des Ecuyers preserve the best-maintained domestic medieval architecture. The Musée des Beaux-Arts in the former Bishop's Palace holds European paintings and regional ceramics (around €5 admission).
Lunch options are plentiful near Place des Halles and Rue Noël-Ballay. A morning market on Place Billard (Wednesday and Saturday) sells local Beauce produce. The Maison Picassiette, a mosaic-encrusted house on the eastern edge of town, is an exceptional outsider art site (around €3.50) worth including if time allows.
How to get there
- Train from Montparnasse
- Car (A11/A10, 1h15 driving)
Location
16 Cloître Notre-Dame, 28000 Chartres, France
48.4472, 1.4878 View on map
Highlights
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres: Gothic masterpiece with 176 stained-glass windows including the celebrated 12th-century Chartres Blue
- Medieval labyrinth: one of the largest surviving medieval labyrinths, uncovered for walking on Friday lunchtimes in season
- North Tower panorama: 360-degree view over the Beauce plain from the Gothic tower, accessible for around €6
- Old Town riverfront: half-timbered houses, medieval wash-houses, and cobbled streets along the Eure
- Maison Picassiette: mosaic-encrusted house created by Raymond Isidore over three decades — an exceptional outsider art site
Tips for visiting
- Take SNCF Intercités from Paris Montparnasse (~70 min, ~€17 single); the cathedral is a 10-minute flat walk from the station
- The free volunteer-guided tour (daily at noon except Sundays, Les Compagnons de Chartres) is the highest-value addition to a cathedral visit — arrive a few minutes early at the main entrance
- The labyrinth is uncovered only on Fridays (usually 12:00–12:30) from April to October; plan the day around this if it is a priority
- Morning light (arriving before 10:00 in summer) illuminates the east windows most compellingly for photography
- Book the return train in advance for weekends and public holidays when Montparnasse trains fill quickly
- The Musée des Beaux-Arts in the Bishop's Palace is rarely crowded even in peak season and adds about an hour
- Carry cash for market stalls on Place Billard; card acceptance is inconsistent at smaller vendors
When to visit
Year-round — the cathedral's free entry and indoor focus make weather largely irrelevant. Arriving before 10:00 catches the east windows in direct light; taking a late-morning train on a weekday aligns with the free noon volunteer tour.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Chartres from Paris?
SNCF Intercités trains depart Paris Montparnasse approximately every hour, reaching Chartres in about 70 minutes (around €17 single). The cathedral is a 10-minute flat walk from the station.
Is there an entry fee for Chartres Cathedral?
Entry to the nave is free. A fee of around €6 applies for climbing the North Tower. The noon guided tour of the interior and crypt by Les Compagnons de Chartres is free with a donation.
What is special about the stained glass at Chartres?
The cathedral preserves 176 original stained-glass windows spanning from the 12th to the 20th century. The 12th-century Chartres Blue glass is renowned for its colour formula, which has never been exactly replicated.
Can visitors walk the labyrinth?
The labyrinth is uncovered on Fridays (usually 12:00–12:30) from April to October. The winding 261-metre path is at nave level with no barriers; walking it takes about 30 minutes at a reflective pace.
Is Chartres worth visiting in winter?
Yes — the cathedral is open year-round and far less crowded from November to March. The Lumières de Chartres festival illuminates the cathedral and key buildings each evening from April to October, making an overnight stay worth considering in season.