Chartres Cathedral
Jan 21st, 2013, 09:30 AM
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Chartres Cathedral
Considering a return visit next month. I've read there is interior scaffolding due to cleaning and restoration work. Can anyone who has visited recently tell me if your viewing of the windows was obscured at all? Thanks.
Jan 21st, 2013, 09:58 AM
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Yes, there is still scaffolding in parts of the interior but much is still visible and I wouldn't let that prevent you from visiting. For up to date info on the state of renovation you can call the tourist office:
http://www.chartres-tourisme.com/en
I know of a person living in Chartres who has website devoted to Chartres and they recently posted info about work in progress at the cathedral. You can also contact this person through their website and I'm sure they'll tell you about the renovation work:
http://www.discover-chartres.com/
Aside from the cathedral the town itself has a very charming medieval section and some other places worth visiting, such as La Maison Picassiette:
http://www.chartres-tourisme.com/en/...%20picassiette
http://www.chartres-tourisme.com/en
I know of a person living in Chartres who has website devoted to Chartres and they recently posted info about work in progress at the cathedral. You can also contact this person through their website and I'm sure they'll tell you about the renovation work:
http://www.discover-chartres.com/
Aside from the cathedral the town itself has a very charming medieval section and some other places worth visiting, such as La Maison Picassiette:
http://www.chartres-tourisme.com/en/...%20picassiette
Jan 21st, 2013, 10:20 AM
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Was there in 2009 when there was scaffolding blocking some of the windows and altar-I'd still recommend you visiting it. Make sure you go when the chairs are removed to see the labyrinth and walk its maze along with the other visitors, made me feel I was back in the Middle Ages along with the other pilgrims.
Another thing I found from Rick Steves is to go to the Information Center by the train station and pick up a map of the old city and do the self-guided walk of both the upper and lower town. Very quaint and picturesque walk by the river. We ate at a Steves recommended creperie-the owner had to show us his letter from Rick
We were the only foreigners inside and ate crepes for both lunch and dessert. My dad and I still talk about those crepes. I enjoyed Chartres-especially in the spring before the tourist hoards.
The creperie was Le Trois Lys Creperie- highly recommended.
Another thing I found from Rick Steves is to go to the Information Center by the train station and pick up a map of the old city and do the self-guided walk of both the upper and lower town. Very quaint and picturesque walk by the river. We ate at a Steves recommended creperie-the owner had to show us his letter from Rick
We were the only foreigners inside and ate crepes for both lunch and dessert. My dad and I still talk about those crepes. I enjoyed Chartres-especially in the spring before the tourist hoards. The creperie was Le Trois Lys Creperie- highly recommended.
Feb 26th, 2013, 01:55 PM
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Reporting back: An excellent restaurant across from the south side of the cathedral, in a little block of cafes, was
La Reine de Saba. Family-run apparently, very modest prices, a warm welcome, and fresh, tasty food, as if your French mother had made it. Highly recommended.
The cathedral has some interior work going on in the center, but no windows were blocked (that I could tell.) I was on a daytrip from Paris, and didn't take more time to revisit the town or neighboring churches, which I regret.
I had contacted Malcolm Miller to inquire about a cathedral tour, but apparently in the winter he doesn't provide tours, at least, not on a regular schedule. He told me he'd do a private tour for me for a substantial sum--if I recall correctly his price was 150 euros, which I declined. I did purchase an English guide book in the gift shop, and used my binoculars to view the window detail.
La Reine de Saba. Family-run apparently, very modest prices, a warm welcome, and fresh, tasty food, as if your French mother had made it. Highly recommended.
The cathedral has some interior work going on in the center, but no windows were blocked (that I could tell.) I was on a daytrip from Paris, and didn't take more time to revisit the town or neighboring churches, which I regret.
I had contacted Malcolm Miller to inquire about a cathedral tour, but apparently in the winter he doesn't provide tours, at least, not on a regular schedule. He told me he'd do a private tour for me for a substantial sum--if I recall correctly his price was 150 euros, which I declined. I did purchase an English guide book in the gift shop, and used my binoculars to view the window detail.
