- Chartres Arts and Crafts Fair (Les Artisanales de Chartres). Early October
- 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 LabyrinthExperience@yahoo.com
- 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.
Chartres travel guide
Plan a trip to Chartres, France — things to do, where to stay, food, transport, and local tips. Start with Chartres Cathedral, Maison Picassiette, Musée du Vitrail.
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Stays in Chartres
Hotellook
Compare hotels and apartments in Chartres — neighbourhood vibe, price, and walkability in one search.
- Stay near a metro line if you plan museum-hopping days.
- Read recent reviews for noise — central streets can be loud at night.
- Flexible cancellation helps when flight times shift.
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Flights in Chartres
Aviasales
Find flights into Chartres and compare fares across airlines in one place.
- Compare nearby airports — sometimes a short train ride beats a pricey hub.
- Midweek departures are often cheaper than Friday/Sunday peaks.
- Set a flexible ±3 day search when your dates can move.
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Experiences in Chartres
Klook
Tours, food walks, day trips and city activities around Chartres — book ahead and skip the guesswork.
- Book popular tours early in peak season — small-group slots go first.
- Day trips often include hotel pickup; check the meeting point.
- Look for free-cancellation options if the weather looks unstable.
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Tickets in Chartres
Tiqets
Skip lines and grab attraction tickets for Chartres — museums, landmarks, and city passes.
- Book popular museums and towers ahead — timed slots sell out on weekends.
- Mobile tickets are usually scanned at the gate; keep offline screenshots as backup.
- Combo passes can be cheaper when you plan 2–3 big sights in one day.
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Transfers in Chartres
Kiwitaxi
Private airport and city transfers for Chartres — fixed price, driver waiting for you.
- Pre-book airport transfers when landing late or with heavy luggage.
- Meet-and-greet at arrivals beats hunting taxis after a long flight.
- Confirm child seats / extra stops when you reserve.
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Cars in Chartres
GetRentacar
Rent a car around Chartres for day trips and countryside — flexible pickup options.
- Compare full-to-full fuel policies — they save hassle at return.
- Check congestion / limited-traffic zones before driving into historic centres.
- Book early for weekends and holidays; automatic cars go first.
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eSIM in Chartres
Yesim
Travel eSIM data for visiting Chartres — online as soon as you land, no kiosk queues.
- Install the eSIM before you fly; activate on landing.
- Confirm your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible.
- Keep a small local SIM as backup if you need a local number for calls.