Chartres

Chartres () is the prefecture of the Eure-et-Loir department in the Centre-Val de Loire region in France. It is located about southwest of Paris. At the 2019 census, there were 170,763 inhabitants in the metropolitan area of Chartres (as defined by the INSEE), 38,534 of whom lived in the city (commune) of Chartres proper.

AI overview

Chartres is a city in central France, located southwest of Paris, and serves as the administrative center (prefecture) of the Eure-et-Loir department. As of 2019, the city proper had about 38,500 residents, while its broader metropolitan area contained roughly 171,000 people.

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Place details

Locality: Chartres
Region: Centre-Val de Loire
Country: France
Population: 43,838
Timezone

Travel guide

Get around

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. It is near the cathedral, on the north side of the gravel square in front of the cathedral.

See

thumb|Statuary on the south portal of Notre Dame de Chartres

Walk around the city - there are fine half timbered houses including possibly the best, the Maison de la Truie qui File or du Saumon (Spinning Sow House or Salmon House) named after the carvings on the wooden uprights. Also try to walk down to the river- descend down through the streets to the remains of the old gate to the city. Then walk north about 0.5 km and turn left, taking the steps up which lead to the back of the cathedral. The Monument to Jean Moulin, one of the major leaders of the French Resistance during WWII. He was the regional mayor before the occupation of France.

Do

Take one of Malcolm Miller's English language tours of the cathedral, especially to learn more about the amazing stained glass windows in the cathedral. Find out when the choir and/or organist will be playing that day in the cathedral. The sound is ethereal in nature. Climb to the top of the north tower in the cathedral to see an incredible view of the town and countryside. On a really clear day, you can see the Eiffel Tower. Walk the Labyrinth on the floor of Chartres Cathedral, an 800-year-old pilgrim path. Guided Tours depart from Paris most Fridays with Michelle Campbell, MFA [email protected] The river Eure passes through the town and there is a hiking path that follows the banks in both directions. Both north and south, there are large parks. Do go to the cathedral square at night (after 22:15) and watch coloured lights play on the front of the cathedral, creating fantastic abstract effects. The whole (free) show lasts about ten minutes, and runs in a loop, so there's no hanging around. Go up to the front of the cathedral, (the gravel square) rather than attempt to view the illuminations from afar. Quite spectacular.

Buy

thumb|One of the beautiful stained glass windows in the Cathedral Chartres has many shops selling religious items. Most are located to the north of the cathedral, or along the streets between the cathedral and the train station.

For basic needs, there is a medium-sized Monoprix store in the pedestrian area at the top of the hill. They sell groceries and other items useful for budget travellers.

~14 min read

Article

21 sections

Contents

History
Climate
Demographics
Geography
Main sights
Cathedrals and churches
Museums
Other sights
Economy
Transport
Sport
Diocese
Pilgrimages
Bishops
Notable people
International relations
Gallery
See also
Notes
References
External links

Chartres is famous worldwide for the Chartres Cathedral. Mostly constructed between 1193 and 1250, this Gothic cathedral is in an exceptional state of preservation. The majority of the original stained glass windows are intact, while the architecture has seen only minor changes since the early 13th century. Part of the old town, including most of the library associated with the School of Chartres, was destroyed by Allied bombs in 1944.