Chartres Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Chartres featuring heritage architecture and heritage elements
Chartres showing heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and heritage elements
Chartres showing heritage elements
Chartres which includes heritage elements and heritage architecture
Chartres

Located just an hour from Paris and on the doorstep of the famous châteaux of the Loire Valley, Chartres is known in France as the Capital of Light and Perfume.

Famous for its UNESCO World Heritage status cathedral, Chartres is a medieval city that will enchant you with its wealth of sites to visit.

In Chartres, history has always unfolded along the banks of the River Eure. The city experienced a number of invasions before becoming a spiritual and intellectual centre around the year 1000 AD. It has had to be rebuilt several times due to fires, the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion. The cathedral at the heart of the city was the location for the coronation of King HenryIV of France. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, it incorporates 4,000figures, 9portals and 2,600m² of stained glass windows. The spire of its steeple reaches a height of 112metres and its two towers are visible from a great distance, acting as guide for pilgrims in the past.

Take a journey of discovery through Chartres' historical quarters: its half-timbered houses are superb, especially the oldest one which dates back to the 12th century at 29 rue Chantault. Follow the Tertre Saint-Nicolas, a little path that offers breathtaking views of the city. Visit the Maison du Saumon ("Salmon House") in Place de la Poissonnerie ("Fishmongers' Square"). Decorated with superb wooden sculptures, it proudly displays a salmon on its façade.

Every year, Chartres organises a series of "Summer Evenings" featuring concerts in the streets and cathedral. From April to October, the city gets a spectacular nocturnal makeover for the "Chartres en Lumières" event, in which a variety of buildings and monuments are lit up nightly. It is also well worth venturing outside the city to see some of the magnificent Châteaux of the Loire Valley in the surrounding areas. In addition, Chartres is situated in the heart of the area known as Cosmetic Valley, the global centre of perfumery and cosmetics. Every year the city organises the Chartres en Parfums week, dedicated to the art of perfume-making.

Walks, history, music and gastronomy are the main attractions of Chartres – a medieval yet resolutely modern city that is well worth a visit. To ensure your stay in Chartres is a unique experience, make sure you plan time to experience all it has to offer. Get ready for an unforgettable holiday!

Residhome Chartres
Residhome Chartres
2 ter rue Pierre Mendès France, Chartres
The price is £51 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
£51
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this aparthotel in Chartres. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (113 reviews)
"The duty manager was friendly and helpful. The whole building was clean and tidy. The room was very pleasant with a comfortable bed. Lovely toiletries supplied. The small kitchen with a fridge was perfect it meant we could store a few perishables on the way down to the south of France on our trip ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2025

Residhome Chartres
Campanile Chartres Centre - Gare - Cathédrale
Campanile Chartres Centre - Gare - Cathédrale
3 out of 5
6/8 Avenue Jehan De Beauce, Chartres, Eure-et-Loir
The price is £53 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£53
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Chartres. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (821 reviews)
"Central location. Great car park (secure gated area)."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Campanile Chartres Centre - Gare - Cathédrale
B&B HOTEL CHARTRES Océane
B&B HOTEL CHARTRES Océane
2 out of 5
6 Rue Blaise Pascal, Chartres, Eure-et-Loir
The price is £54 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£54
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Chartres. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (492 reviews)
"Very good hotel for one night stay, has air con, clean, modern, parking, lovely breakfast"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

B&B HOTEL CHARTRES Océane
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residhome Chartres
Residhome Chartres
2 ter rue Pierre Mendès France, Chartres
Stay at this aparthotel in Chartres. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (113 reviews)
"The duty manager was friendly and helpful. The whole building was clean and tidy. The room was very pleasant with a comfortable bed. Lovely toiletries supplied. The small kitchen with a fridge was perfect it meant we could store a few perishables on the way down to the south of France on our trip ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2025

Residhome Chartres
Maleyssie Les Suites
Maleyssie Les Suites
2 Rue Chanzy, Chartres, Eure-et-Loir
Stay at this aparthotel in Chartres. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 2 meeting rooms. Popular attractions Municipal theatre of Chartres and Église ...
10/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
Chartres 205
"Lovely and clean, well located and well furnished. We had a great stay and recommend it highly."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Maleyssie Les Suites
Résidences De Chartres
Résidences De Chartres
4 Rue Du Frou, Chartres
Stay at this residence in Chartres. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an in-room espresso maker and housekeeping. Popular attractions Église St-Pierre and Prow-Shaped House ...
6.4/10 (14 reviews)
If this was an upgrade, then I am a blindman
"Having had to pay for parking to check in at the named hotel, we then travelled to the apartment. On arrival having again paid for parking, we went into the apartment and found the bedroom with unmade dirty sheets and dirty towels in the bathroom. We phoned the hotel who said we could have an upgrade. ..."

Reviewed on 11 Sep 2019

Résidences De Chartres
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Chartres

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
7
5 - Excellent 29%
4 - Good
14
4 - Good 58%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lots to see and do. Light show amazing and Cathedral beautiful.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

When we were lost on the first morning we went into the chamber de commerce to ask for help but found the receptionist very unhelpful.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Blighted by the number of roads closed for roadworks. Couldn't believe the number of times we had to follow a deviation.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Restaurants are quite expensive. Cathedral is magnificent

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The cathederal is worth a visit