Discover the city of Chartres, its activities and tourism

Visit the Chartres cathedral

The Hôtel Grand Monarque is located at the heart of Chartres, steps away from the cathedral. This masterpiece of medieval architecture is classified World Heritage at UNESCO.

The Notre-Dame de Chartres cathedral is especially known for its sculptural program : external portals, choir… The stained glasses make up the richest collection of Europe with some 2600 m² of shining glass panels and of which the emblematic blue colour has taken the name of the city : the « bleu de Chartres ».

On the floor of the nave, do not miss to observe and follow the labyrinth made up of « Berchères » stone slabs and strips of black marble.  Also visit the crypts of the cathedral and go up the north tower, 70 metres of altitude, to admire the arrow and the exceptional panorama overlooking the Beauce.

Opening hours:
From 01/01/2014 to 31/12/2014 : everyday from 8:30am to 7:30pm
From 01/06/2014 to 31/08/2014 : Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday from 8:30am to 10:00pm

Official Website    Chartres sanctuaire du monde    Cooking classes   

Chartres in lights

Each year, Chartres is adorned with a thousand colours during a major event: « Chartres en Lumières » (Lights in Chartres). At sunset, the cathedral and several other places are illuminated, for the delight of visitors who, since 2003, come each year in increasing numbers to admire this unique sound and light show.

Free event, every night, between 12 avril et 12 octobre 2014.
« Fête de la Lumière » on 20 septembre 2014 : entertainment, street performances, art installations, exhibitions etc.

Official Website   

Eure-et-Loir tourism

Do not hesitate to discover Chartres’ surroundings. Le Perche, la Beauce, the Eure valley… all hold many surprises.  On foot, by car, on horseback, biking: discover all the riches of Eure-et-Loir.

  • Bonneval, « little Venice » of Beauce
  • Chateaudun, « most beautiful detour of France », a village built on an overhang around a castle considered the Loire’s first castle.
  • Dreux and its Royal Chapel where lay the members of the family of Orléans
  • Nogent-le-Rotrou and the Perche natural regional park, birthplace of the Percheron draft horse
Eure-et-Loir Tourism   

Our address book

During your stay in Chartres, there are unavoidable pleasures that you cannot miss:

  • Have lunch, dinner, a drink or to enjoy an ice cream according to the time of day on the terrace of Maison Monarque facing th Cathedrale
  • Embark aboard a little train to discover the back alleys, former wash houses and other timbering houses in the old town.  A 35 minutes’ journey that starts on « place de la Cathédrale ».
    Petit Chart’train : www.lepetittraindechartres.fr
  • Take a stroll around place Billard and its covered market with an architecture in Baltard cast iron. Have a coffee on the terrace of « Les Saveurs du Marché » store. On the square, do not miss the market with organic products and local crafts that is held on Wednesdays from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.
    Etienne Thuriet Antiquaire, 41, rue des Changes, 28000 Chartres, France, +33 6 13 61 34 95
    Lassausois Antiquités, 17, rue des Changes, +33 2 37 21 37 74 : www.antiquiteslassaussois.com
    Les Saveurs du Marché, 1 place Billard : www.saveursdumarche.com
  • Take a workshop at the « Centre International du Vitrail », which carries on the tradition of master glassmakers in Chartres, between tradition and contemporary design.
    Centre International du Vitrail, 5, rue du Cardinal Pie : www.centre-vitrail.org
  • Take a walk in the pedestrian streets, admire the medieval facades of certain stores on « place du Cygne » and step-in the  Librairie l'Esperluète to discover the hidden Renaissance facade at the back of the boutique but also for the excellent selection of regional books and the warm smiles of the booksellers.
    Libraire L'Esperluète ,10 rue Noël Ballay, +33 2 37 21 17 17 : www.esperluete.fr
  • Cook with family, with your loved one or with friends at « 11 Cours Gabriel », our cooking workshop in a loft spirit and taste your dish with the Chef.
    11 Cours Gabriel, 11 rue Gabriel Péri, +33 2 37 99 25 48 : www.11coursgabriel.com
  • Perfect your swing on the green of the Maintenon golf, an 18-hole course (5552 m, by 70) going around the castle’s park, at the foot of the Vauban’s aqueduct, located between Rambouillet and Chartres.
    Golf du Château de Maintenon, route de Gallardon, 28130 Maintenon, +33 2 37 27 18 09 : www.golfdemaintenon.com
Tourism in Chartres