lbrawer

Hi
I'm planning a day trip to Chartres when I am in Paris in May. My research seems to indicate that the train are commuter type. That said, how far in advance should we book if at all?

Secondly, I know this has been asked many times, but any advice for booking a tour with Malcolm Miller?
Many thanks --

adrienne

They're regional trains and you don't need to book in advance. They run about every hour.

I wasn't aware that you needed to book a MM tour but perhaps the rules have changed. I've always shown up at the time he gives the tours. There's never been tons of people on these tours so no one was turned away. Please do not show up late as he may not allow you to join the group - he's a bit of a curmudgeon.

adrienne

You do need to validate your ticket before boarding the train. There's a validation machine on the platform.

kja

One can, indeed, book with Malcolm Miller, and given that he can be a bit of a curmudgeon (;-) ), I made sure to do so!

http://www.cathedrale-chartres.org/f...ticle-254.html

When I was there -- early June, as I recall -- he did wait briefly for a few people who had reserved in advance, but who weren't there at the stroke of the hour. They got there, running and short of breath, just minutes later. Once everyone who had precooked was there, off we went! We left the meeting point at most 5 minutes after the hour. There were people who wanted to join who were unable to do so as the group was already at MM's maximum. (And honestly, I'm glad he did keep the numbers low.)

So, if joining a Malcolm Miller tour is a priority for you -- and curmudgeon or not, he is truly an expert! -- then I think it would be to your advantage to book in advance.

kja

OK, it was a hot day, but still, I meant to say "pre-BOOKed" not "pre-cooked" -- LOL! ;-) I hate autocorrect features!?!

adrienne

I don't see where you book tours. I only see an email or phone number for private tours but I think the OP wants the general tour.

I got a chuckle out of precooked!

kja

When I went (2012), one booked by contacting Malcolm Miller at his email. There was no "general tour" number. Looks to me like the same contact info.

Chuckles are good!, however unintended!

adrienne

How much is he charging now? When I first took his tours it was donation, then he started charging a flat fee. Last time I think it was E30 (unless my old brain is mis-remembering).

kja

It seems that I must hedge a bit -- I looked up my records of the advance email with Mr. Miller to check the price (not mentioned, sorry) and found that it did not confirm a reservation. He confirmed that he planned to conduct tours at the times about which I had inquired and said that no reservations were required. Maybe my other memories are mistaken? All I can say is that my journal from the trip has nothing to the contrary....

I had purchased, and read, Miller's book on the Chartres Cathedral before going. I had wondered about the value of joining one of his tours, particularly because I generally dislike tours. I thought it worth every penny! In fact, had he planned to conduct another tour that day (he did not), I would have signed up on the spot!

As I understand it, Mr. Miller currently continues to provide these tours at his own discretion -- he can stop at any time. He IS the expert on the Chartres Cathedral, so if you have any interest and are willing to put up with a bit of attitude, my recommendation is to do whatever you can to take part in one of his incredibly informative tours! Just my opinion. YMM.

kja

Not YMM -- YMMV!

adrienne

I agree about doing both of his tours as they are different. For repeat customers, he tells you which tour he is giving and if anyone has taken that tour he will change it. The last time I went I could not remember if I had taken the tour he planned to give but once he started talking I remembered that I had heard that lecture before but since it was many years I listened again. I've been to Chartres several times and each time take at least one of his tours.