In Chartres, we really enjoyed the Grand Monarque hotel. We were there in October, and there is a wonderful display of lights on the cathedral and other buildings throughout the city every night for the summer through the first week in October, which really enhances the experience of spending the night. We had several good meals, of which the best was probably at the Restaurant Saint Hilaire.

My trip report might be of interest for the couple of spots that we overlapped with your itinerary:

https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...mandy-1659404/

Nikki, I’d already bookmarked your TR. You have a wonderful writing style!

The hotel in Chartres looks lovely, but we aim to keep it to not much above €100 night.