Is Chartes a tourist trap?
 

I am going to france in a week and have recently heard that Chartes is a tourist Trap, I had planned to see the cathedral as a day trip from Paris. Is it worth it?

It is worth it. <BR> <BR>It is not a tourist trap. <BR>

Thank you. How long of a day to explore both the Cathedrala and town?

The "classic answer" is to see the cathedral by taking the Malcolm miller tour. Search "Malcolm" here on this forum, and you will get plenty of information about this "institution" of chartres (including not too long ago, a reference I placed here featuring an audio clip about Mr. Miller on NPR). He offers two tours a day, and the morning is diffrerent from the afternoon. It's customarily said that hearing both is actually worth while (I can't testify to that). <BR> <BR>I have never actually day tripped to Chartres and back from Paris (only in transit on my way back to Paris from the Loire). It's extraordinary to see the cathedral driving north to wards Chartres at night (you can see it 10 miles away, I would say). In a rush, you can see it beginning as early as day break (whether you had stayed overnight there or were just passing back through) and still make it back to Paris in time for a noon flight (rushing). <BR> <BR>So, bottom line, you can spend a little time or a lot. I am not expert on the rest of "spending a day" in Chartres. My daughter was there on (a) market day (don't know which day of the week that is/was) - - and she thought it was terrific. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Here's some useful "canned" info: <BR> <BR>http://www.gofrance.about.com/travel.../blchartre.htm <BR>

Eric, Rex is right. Chartres is definitely not a tourist trap. We were in Paris last October and took a day trip there. It only takes about an hour by train and the cathedral is totally amazing. We arrived before noon and stayed until around 5. It's a lovely day trip. Whatever you do there, a tour by Malcolm Miller is essential. I intend to return there someday and take another one of his tours. Chartres is a beautiful, charming town -- absolutely worthwhile. Don't miss it.

Follow the above advice as long as you have some interest in medieval architecture or churches or appreciate <BR>stained glass <BR>I think the cathedral is magnificent <BR>Here are some more resources <BR>for train service, go to : http://voyages.sncf.fr/ <BR>Malcolm Miller gives his wonderful tours at 12 and again at 2:45 daily excepting Sundays, or on days a special event is taking place in the cathedral (like a wedding).Each is about an hour and a quarter, and starts near the gift shop in the cathedral. If you want to check to make certain he will be there, the telephone number is 02 37 28 15 58. <BR>information on Chartres, including hotels and restaurants: www.1heart.com/chartresadvice <BR>also, www.ville-chartres.fr/ <BR> <BR>not such a good website except that you can see a map of the town: <BR>www.chartres.com/va/bienvenu.htm <BR> <BR>info on the labyrinth that is set into the floor of the cathedral: www.lessons4living.com/ <BR>chartres_labyrinth.htm <BR> <BR>

Thank you for your responses, I do have interest in medieval architecture and was my main reason to go. I'd never heard of Malcalm Miller and thanks for the links. <BR> <BR>Eric <BR> <BR>

You must bring a pair of binoculars to experience the maximum impact of the extraordinary windows. Another must is Sainte Chapelle in Paris--different from Chartres and equally breathtaking.

Take the early train (about 9am) from Gare Montparnasse. We did this last Oct. and it was very memorable. You MUST take the Malcolm Miller tour. You can even buy his book and have him autogragh it. Hope for a sunny day. <BR> <BR>P.S. It is about a 10 minute walk from the train station to the cathedral.

Hello Eric, <BR> <BR>There may be a lot of tourists, but as in the rest of this beautiful country, unlike Disney Land (Which is OK) the Cathedrals built around 1100 to 1200 were not designed as tourest traps. <BR>THEY ARE REAL!!!!!!!! <BR> <BR>And it took them 200 years to build. <BR> <BR>Please enjoy the wonder and beauty of something that actually came from deep seated conviction from a special time in the history of the world. Chartes is cut stone built with flesh and blood. It is not something plasitic and paper machee. This is the real thing as is the rest of France for that matter. <BR> <BR>Ciao, <BR> <BR>Randall Smith

I haven't been there since 1984, when it was definitely not a tourist trap. But even if it has become overrun with tourists (which is what we are, after all), I think I would still love it. In the cathedral you will be looking UP. The whole structure of gothic architecture is designed to make you look up. Looking up at and through the beautiful stained glass windows can take you far away from the present-day and the noise and crowds. In 1984 the old town was lovely. If it has become too crowded you might still be able to enjoy it -- just may require a little more imagination to "erase" the noise and sight of your fellow tourists, vendors, etc.

No, it most certainly is not. In fact, in the dozen or more times I've been there, I've been surprised there weren't more tourists. And even if there were, it's one of the greatest sights in the world. Don't miss it.