Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Chartres, France

The cathedral is what springs to mind when most individuals think of Chartres. This is entirely understandable as it constitutes an exceptional example of medieval heritage and is recognized by UNESCO. Should you have sufficient time, allocate at least half a day to thoroughly explore the intricate sculptures and stained glass windows. However, if your schedule is tight, aim to discover as much as possible in old Chartres, particularly the picturesque banks of the Eure River that are both charming and historic.

Moreover, make it a priority to experience Chartres after sunset during the summer months, when its monuments are beautifully illuminated by imaginative light and sound displays.

Let’s examine the best things to do in Chartres:

1. Chartres Cathedral

Constructed in the 12th century, Chartres Cathedral stands as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, not only in France but indeed in the world. This remarkable edifice can engross visitors for hours.

This is especially true of the exterior, adorned with Romanesque sculpted portals, towers, and flying buttresses, which might delay your entrance into the interior.

Once inside, you will have the opportunity to ascend the north bell tower, standing at 70 meters, navigate the pilgrims’ labyrinth, admire the remarkable blue stained glass windows, and appreciate the 200 sculpted figures illustrating the lives of Christ and the Virgin in the choir area.

Even a brief pause to observe these magnificent details will barely scratch the surface of this extraordinary structure.

2. Maison Picassiette

From the 1930s to 1962, the cemetery worker Raymonde Isidore constructed this modest three-room residence for himself and his family. While this may not initially sound particularly exciting, the manner in which he decorated it with thousands of fragments from broken faience and glass is truly captivating.

Consequently, every surface is transformed into a mosaic, featuring intricate designs that demonstrate exceptional skill. Even furniture such as beds, chairs, and tables were embellished.

Overall, there are 825 square meters of mosaics, which required approximately 29,000 hours to complete: Isidore’s life’s work, and Maison Picassiette is now regarded as a prominent example of naive architecture.

3. Église Saint-Pierre

This intriguing Gothic church was once part of the Benedictine monastery St-Père-en-Vallée, which was disbanded after the Revolution. The monastery has roots dating back to the 7th century, and perceptive visitors will uncover clues regarding the structure’s antiquity.

Notably, the robust-looking tower, originating around 930, was initially intended to serve as the abbey’s defensive keep.

Inside, the stained glass windows in the nave and apse draw significant admiration, appearing as radiant today as they did when originally crafted in the 12th and 13th centuries.

4. Eure Riverside

For a glimpse into medieval Chartres, venture to the lower town along the banks of the Eure. The riverside setting is particularly charming, featuring vegetable plots, half-timbered wash houses, water mills, and humpback bridges that evoke a sense of the past when tradespeople operated by the water.

Continue along the ominously named Rue de la Massacre to encounter the 12th-century Church of St. Andrew, situated on the river’s opposite bank, with remaining elements of the flying buttresses that once spanned the river visible on the outer walls of the choir.

5. Conservation Area

Covering 64 hectares, the historic center, with its cobblestone paths and timber-framed houses, is an ideal area to wander and explore leisurely. Do not miss Rue des Écuyers (Equerries Street); this picturesque incline is adorned with iron lanterns and half-timbered dwellings, including one featuring the 16th-century Escalier de la Reine Berthe, a beautifully crafted spiral staircase visible from the corner of Rue Saint-Emam.

The oldest structures are located within the upper town, adjacent to the cathedral, while Rue Chantault boasts a stone residence with window arches dating back to the 1100s.

6. Centre International du Vitrail

Among the attractions that genuinely complement Chartres is the International Stained Glass Centre, located in a city where religious edifices retain their exquisite medieval embellishments. This center is conveniently positioned just steps from the cathedral within a captivating structure known as the Grange aux Dîmes, a 13th-century barn recognized as a “Monument Historique.” The facility serves as a premier resource for enthusiasts and practitioners, offering tools, exhibitions, and workshops covering the intricacies of stained glass creation and restoration.

Notably, visitors can enter the workshop area to observe the artisans diligently working at their benches.

7. Maison du Saumon

Affectionately referred to as “Salmon House,” this delightful half-timbered dwelling is aptly named, given its location on Place de la Poissonnerie (Fishmongers’ Square). Maison du Saumon is a four-story cantilevered structure characterized by diamond-pattern timber framing and charming dormer windows at its summit.

While it houses the Chartres tourist office, take a moment to admire the intricate carvings on the corbels representing vines, fish, and other agricultural products, which date back to the 15th and 16th centuries.

8. Bel Air Frescos

In a bid to revitalize public housing within the Bel Air district on Chartres’ outskirts, the city commissioned a collective of artists known as “Cité Création” to craft stunning trompe l’oeil murals. The transformation of four buildings took place over a year, with the previously gray stone walls reimagined with vivid depictions of medieval workshops and the renowned labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral.

These murals proved so successful that the city initiated a further project in the center to honor François Séverin Marceau-Desgraviers, a general from the Revolutionary Wars and a native of Chartres.

9. Église Saint-Aignan

This historic church, originating from the 12th century, serves as a fascinating history lesson in itself. However, it sustained significant damage during the Second War of Religion in the 1500s, necessitating substantial reconstruction. Fortunately, 20 of the medieval stained glass windows endured and can be admired today.

Visitors will be particularly impressed by the barrel-shaped ceiling supported by wooden crossbeams. During the Revolution, the church was repurposed as a warehouse and jail until it underwent a sympathetic restoration in the 1800s, which included the addition of the current Romanesque-style murals around the nave.

10. Musée des Beaux-Arts

Situated in Chartres’ Episcopal Palace, the Museum of Fine Arts is an essential cultural destination that no prominent French city should lack. The palace itself is an historic monument, having hosted Henri IV during his coronation in 1594, although little of the original structure remains due to subsequent renovations in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The museum showcases primarily French paintings by renowned artists such as Rigaud, Chardin, Zurbaran, Camille Corot, Fragonard, and Soutine. Additionally, it houses two antique harpsichords from the 1600s and 1700s respectively, along with an ethnographic section featuring African and Oceanic Art collected by the French Fauvist Maurice de Vlaminck, as well as two rooms dedicated to his work.

11. Chartres en Lumières

For over 13 years, Chartres has hosted a mesmerizing light spectacle in its historic center. This event commences just after dusk from April to October, where 20 of the city’s monuments, including bridges, the cathedral, and the Episcopal Palace, are illuminated with enchanting projections complemented by music.

The visuals presented are rich in symbolism; should you require assistance in interpreting them, guided tours are available each evening. Alternatively, downloading an app to navigate the trail independently is another option.

12. Conservatoire de l’Agriculture

For those seeking a unique reason to explore a museum dedicated to agriculture, it is noteworthy that Chartres is located in Beauce, a region renowned for its architecture and frequently referred to as the “Granary of France” due to its extensive cereal cultivation.

Visiting the museum will not only enhance your understanding of local agricultural life but also allow you to observe substantial historical farming equipment that illustrates the evolution of agriculture in this region during the 1800s and 1900s, juxtaposed with modern machinery.

Additionally, the museum is housed in a former steam engine shed, which is noteworthy in its own right.

13. Le-Petit-Chart’Train

It is nearly impossible to appear sophisticated while riding one of the tourist trains that meander through European cities. Nevertheless, if your goal is to quickly tour the old city while gathering snippets of insightful information that might otherwise be overlooked, this could prove to be an ideal option.

The 35-minute route features running commentary and encompasses all of the primary attractions. Additionally, special evening trains operate during the “Lumières” event in summer, but prior reservations are advisable.

14. Église Saint-Orien

For a brief excursion, consider traveling to the village of Meslay-le-Grenet, located a few kilometers southwest of Chartres. Your destination should be the Church of Saint-Orien, a small rural church that houses a remarkable piece of 15th-century art on its walls.

The haunting portrayal of the danse macabre was rediscovered in the 19th century, illustrating death’s embrace of individuals from various backgrounds, including a pope, a king, a usurer, a hermit, and a child.

This artwork was created at the conclusion of the Hundred Years’ War and provides poignant insight into the socio-political turmoil of that era.

15. Food and Drink

L’Eurélienne represents a local beer brewed using malt sourced from the Beauce area, bottled less than ten kilometers from Chartres. Four variations are available: blonde, rousse, white, and brown, all produced without mechanical filtration or pasteurization.

Moreover, you will find Chartres Pâté at local markets and charcuteries. This delicacy features game such as pheasant and partridge and pairs exquisitely with a “Rétrodor” baguette made from the finest Beauce wheat.

On a sweeter note, the region is known for its macaroons, which possess a softer texture than the typical French macaroon. The Mentchikoff is another local delight, reminiscent of the Franco-Russian alliance of the late 1800s, comprising chocolate praline embedded in a light meringue.