We're in the planning stages of a trip to France. We'll be arriving at CDG in Paris, where we'll pick up a car and drive to Chartres for our first night.
I'm hoping to find a hotel in Chartres that's close (walking distance) to the city center and the cathedral (assuming that they're near each other), and offers free parking.
I'd appreciate any recommendations (hopefully from personal experience).

Thank you.

>>We'll be arriving at CDG in Paris, where we'll pick up a car and drive to Chartres for our first night.<<

Bad idea. (assuming you are flying in long haul) That is close to a 2 hour drive after an overnight flight. If it was me I'd spend the first night in Paris and pick up a car the next day. (or take the train)

Re a hotel recommendation - what is your budget?

Hi, Janis. Thanks for the reply.

Our flight gets in to CDG at 7:15 AM. Seems a shame to sleep the day away. I've booked the most comfortable seats I could (Delta Premium Select), short of first class . I'm hoping to get some sleep on the plane, but who knows? As Paris is not on our itinerary for this trip (except for one night at the end of the trip to celebrate my wife's birthday), and since we should arrive in Chartres quite early, this seems like our best option.

As for my budget, we generally prefer nice hotels (3-stars or higher), but this is going to be a long driving trip, so it's probably going to be a mix of hotels, motels, B&B's, etc. The only hotels we're going to book in advance will be at the beginning of the trip (Chartres) and the last night near CDG in Paris. So, in answer to your question, our budget is whatever it needs to be.

You are not going to find free parking in the center of a city or town. Probably not ever in France, but not in the center of Chartres (or Paris). Unless you happen to find free street parking, but a hotel isn't going to give it to you free.

There are only a few 3* or higher hotelsin the center of Chartres and yes, that is near the cathedral.

Those would be
the BW Le Grand Monarch
the Hotel Jehan de Beauce
the Mercure
There is a Logis Hotel du Boeuf Couronne but it's lesser in "niceness"

none have free parking, but parking isn't that expensive anyway in Chartres (nor are hotels), about 7-10 euro per day in a parkiing lot/garage. There are a couple around the center near the gare and those hotels have arrangements which you must pay and reserve for except maybe the Mercure. I think with them you are on your own.

I'd probably look at the Grand Monarch or Jehan de Beauce
https://www.bw-grand-monarque.com/en/

Jehan de Beauce, Boutique Hôtel de luxe à Chartres - SITE OFFICIEL

>>Our flight gets in to CDG at 7:15 AM. Seems a shame to sleep the day away. I've booked the most comfortable seats I could (Delta Premium Select), short of first class . I'm hoping to get some sleep on the plane, but who knows? As Paris is not on our itinerary for this trip (except for one night at the end of the trip to celebrate my wife's birthday), and since we should arrive in Chartres quite early, this seems like our best option.<<

Sorry - but driving after an overnight flight is never the 'best' option. And sleeping the day isn't recommended either. It isn't merely a matter of getting some sleep on the flight and it isn't just jetlag. How about spending the first night in Senlis. Its about 15 miles from CDG and is well worth an overnight. You can explore the town and then drive to Chartres the next morning.

Another idea is to take a cab to Gare Montparnasse (cab since it is a fixed price now), take the train to Chartres. It is a TER train and takes 1h20 minutes. Then you can pick your car up on your way out of Chartres and won't need to pay for the parking. Plus you can take a nap on the train.

That's an even better idea jpie . . .

Thanks for your replies.
Given all the comments, here's what ended up with:
Christina, after looking at your recommendations, I booked at the BW Le Grand Monarch.
However. . .
Janis, after researching your suggestion to stay in Senlis the first night, this indeed looked like a better option for us. So, I cancelled the reservation in Chartres, and booked a room at La Villa Camille in Senlis.
jpie, your suggestion of picking up the car in Chartres would have been very inconvenient for us; too many transportation changes with our luggage at the beginning and end of our trip.

Thanks again.