which is a better place to go for a day-trip from Paris? we are planning to go to one of them on January 3.

if you say Chartres, what else ids there to do in the city besides see the cathedral?

Chartres, hands down! Or, if you want to visit the Loire Valley, certainly not Tours (although it's a starting point if taking the train).

Besides the cathedral, Chartres is a very pleasant town for wandering in, with a nice old pedestrian area, a riverbank, good cafés and restaurants. It's a perfect day trip from Paris.

But so are Chantilly and Senlis, Auver-sur-Oise, Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Versailles, and a dozen others.

But the Malcolm MIller tour at Chartres is reqlly quite special.

It's been over 15 years since we visited Chartres, but I remember it was quite nice. We've visited Tours recently, and I did not find it interesting at all, compared to other cities in France.

In addition to the list St Cirq gave you, I think Nancy, Rouen, Dijon, and even Lyon are possible day-trip destinations.

Stu Dudley

Between Chartres and Tours, I would also choose Chartres. However, a Tuesday the first week of January may be problematic no matter where you choose to go, as some places will likely be closed.

As St Cirq indicated a cathedral tour by Malcolm Miller can be a special experience. He normally does them at noon and 2:45 p.m., but in the winter he may be travelling and lecturing out of the area. So I would recommend you contact the Tourist Office in advance to see if he will be there.

Should you go to Chartres in the future sometime between April 1st and the end of November, I'd highly recommend a visit to La Maison Picassiette at 2, rue du Repos. Ph 02 37 34 10 78. La Maison Picassiette is the home of Raymond Isidore, a former cemetery worker who collected bits of broken glass and pottery and used them to create incredible naïve-art mosiacs throughout his home -- on the walls and floors, on the furniture, and in his garden. It was his life work and fascinating to see. Here is a URL to an art mag article about it:
http://www.rawvision.com/back/picassiette/picass.html

If you are interested in stained glass, near the cathedral you will also find Le Centre International du Vitrail at 5, rue du Cardinal Pie. There are often demonstrations and exhibitions there. Once again, I'd contact them in advance about hours, etc., if you are interested. Ph 02 37 21 65 72.

Even if you find most things closed, visiting the cathedral and strolling through the town could provide a rewarding day. You may want to browse through Chartres' Tourist Office website: http://www.chartres-tourisme.com There's an English version at the British flag.

If you want to drink : go to Reims and visit the best champagne makers.
If you want to visit something, I would suggest you Lyon (a chance to take the famous TGV train) or go to the Mont Saint Michel (by car)

After visiting the magnificent cathedral in Chartres, go over to the good gift shop and buy a ticket for a tour of the crypt. Once you've done that, walk behind the cathedral for a fine view of part of the old city. Then wander in the medieval precincts adjacent to the cathedral.

I can't believe I've never yet been to Chartres, but I did spend 2 weks in Tours (at a language school), and I agree with some of the others above who say that it is not especially interesting as a city.

You can also email Malcolm Miller to inquire about his schedule. His email address is on the officiala Chartres website. I did that once and he responded within a couple of hours!

Chartres!! You're in for a lovely day. Definitely take time to walk around the town.

Definitely Chartres. In addition to the cathedral (wonderful!), take time to wander the winding back streets and the picturesque riverside at your leisure.

Chartres certainly, for the cathedral, though to me Tours is the more interesting town.

Chartres, for sure!
A very nice small town.
Not very far from centre, there is also a curiosity: a small house (today a museum) where all the walls (interior and exterior) , furniture, etc. are covered by small glass pieces. I do not remember the name now, but if you are interested, I can find it.

Nothing special in Tours; maybe, better is Blois.

chartres it is! thanks for the information! we can't wait.