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Prefecture and commune in Centre-Val de Loire, France
Photo: Ireneed, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Chartres is a small city in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France, approximately an hour south-west of Paris by train. Population is 39,000 (2017) although that rises to 100,000 when the surrounding towns are taken into consideration. The main attraction for most visitors to Chartres is the 12th-century cathedral, considered by many art historians to be the finest surviving example from the High Gothic period. In the last couple of years a new mayor has overseen the modernization of the centre of the town. There has provoked both positive and negative reactions from the "Chartrains", but there is no doubt that the town is undergoing a certain renewal.
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la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres
Stained-Glass Museum
If you enjoyed the stained glass of the cathedral you might like to visit here, there is a permanent exhibition explaining the glass panels in the cathedral. Temporary exhibitions tend to be more artistic in nature.
Les Artisanales de Chartres
Early October
Hilaire. Many would consider this as number one restaurant in town (although fans of the Grand Monarque might disagree). Needs to be booked in advance !
A charming, eclectic place with excellent food and service, and reasonably-priced wines.
A "Best Western" hotel.
Municipal campsite. Need insect repellent (depending on season). Bring your own toilet paper. 2 miles from city centre. Has own snack bar (limited hours). Bread/cake shop & (bad) supermarket 5 mins walk.
By train
There are many daily direct trains from and to Paris Montparnasse. The journey to Chartres averages just over an hour each way and costs €24 1st class, €16 2nd class (adult fares).
Free maps and information can be obtained from the great tourist information centre. They are very helpful and friendly, and the centre is on the road between the train station and cathedral.
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Paris (Orly, Val-de-Marne) · International · ORY
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