Things To Do in Chartres
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Chartres Attractions
Give yourself a little time to explore the medieval cobbled streets of the Vieux Quartier (Old Town). There are several gabled houses in the narrow lanes near the cathedral, including the colorful facades of rue Chantault, one of which is 8 centuries old. Seek out rue du Bourg, where you’ll find the famous Salmon House (which houses the tourist office) and some lovely sculptures (including a certain fish). In the lower town, you can stroll along the picturesque Eure River with its stone bridges and ancient washhouses. If you go on a Saturday or Wednesday morning, there is a covered farmer’s market in place Billard (until 1pm), the perfect place to grab some supplies for a casual picnic in the park behind the cathedral or along the river. Between April and November, also look out for Chartres en Lumières, a fabulous sound-and-light show (www.chartresenlumieres.com; free; dusk to 1am), which turns the cathedral’s facade into a beautiful, rippling screen of color.
- Arts
Centre International du Vitrail
Get the stained-glass back story at this international center devoted to the glory of this luminous art form. The permanent collection focuses on ancient stained glass, while the temporary shows highlight contemporary works. The center also offers workshops, classes, and training…Around Town
- Cathedral
Chartres Cathedral
This magnificent UNESCO-protected Gothic cathedral, with its carved portals and three-tiered flying buttresses, would be a stunning sight even without its legendary stained-glass windows—though the world would be a drearier place. For these ancient glass panels are truly glorious: a…Around Town - Museum
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Chartres
Housed in an impressive former Episcopal palace, this museum of fine arts boasts a collection covering the 16th to 20th centuries, including the work of masters such as Zurbarán, Watteau, and Soutine.Around Town
Chartres Shopping
Your best shopping bet is place des Epars, a pedestrian area home to most of the apparel shops and even some haute couture boutiques. Many shops selling regional items line the narrow streets that fan southeast from the cathedral.
At Galerie du Vitrail, 17 Cloître Notre-Dame (www.galerie-du-vitrail.com; tel. 02-37-36-10-03), you’ll find a huge selection of stained glass. Lassaussois Antiquités, 17 rue des Changes (www.antiquiteslassaussois.com; tel. 02-37-21-37-74), specializes in antique objets d’art and contemporary furnishings.
