Other than the bleedin' obvious is there anything else to see and/or do in Chartres?
Oct 16th, 2007, 03:44 AM
#41
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As far as I can follow this debate Mr Miller is an old coot that turns up for work pissed, is rude to Americans and is banging a much younger woman.
Wild horses would not keep me away.
Wild horses would not keep me away.
Oct 16th, 2007, 06:15 AM
#42
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<Also, if your behavior there was anything like it is here, it's not surprising Miller didn't roll out the red carpet and bow to you>
wow - attack the messenger - what is wrong with my behavior here of calling a spade and spade - please re-read the several other posters here who have 'slurred' Malcolm.
Malcolm's actions are as loud as his words. You accusing me with absolutely no reason of behaving untoward Malcolm on his tours - au contraire i even paid double the announced price and kept quiet as a churchmouse during the tour - the third i've taken and i hope to do another - this time, to make up for Malcolm's extortion i think i will just follow him around the church.
Your insinutations are beyond the pale.
wow - attack the messenger - what is wrong with my behavior here of calling a spade and spade - please re-read the several other posters here who have 'slurred' Malcolm.
Malcolm's actions are as loud as his words. You accusing me with absolutely no reason of behaving untoward Malcolm on his tours - au contraire i even paid double the announced price and kept quiet as a churchmouse during the tour - the third i've taken and i hope to do another - this time, to make up for Malcolm's extortion i think i will just follow him around the church.
Your insinutations are beyond the pale.
Oct 16th, 2007, 06:56 AM
#43
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PalenQ, I see you've topped the thread where we were discussing dear MM a while back (http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35072308).
I must say, over the 20 years I've (sporadically) gone on his tours, I've never had an experience with him at all as exciting as you have described. Then again, I try to get to the a.m. one and as early in the week as possible - the one time I failed to do so, the lecture wasn't worth whatever the fee was at the time! (Maybe he needed an afternoon nap??)
He was perfectly behaved when we took the group tour last year. Makes two or three stops inside the cathedral to discuss various bits, then leads you outside to one bit of stonework statuary.
I must say, over the 20 years I've (sporadically) gone on his tours, I've never had an experience with him at all as exciting as you have described. Then again, I try to get to the a.m. one and as early in the week as possible - the one time I failed to do so, the lecture wasn't worth whatever the fee was at the time! (Maybe he needed an afternoon nap??)
He was perfectly behaved when we took the group tour last year. Makes two or three stops inside the cathedral to discuss various bits, then leads you outside to one bit of stonework statuary.
Oct 16th, 2007, 07:13 AM
#45
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i actually topped it only to be able to retrieve something in it quickly
and make no mistake about it - his tours are excellent. But his overt abuse of clients and others is reprehensible and though Cigalechanta and Margo Chester support his actions and attack me instead, the way he treated us on one i will never forgive and whenever his name pops up will give the other side of the story. Am i over zealous about this - YES - revenge!
and make no mistake about it - his tours are excellent. But his overt abuse of clients and others is reprehensible and though Cigalechanta and Margo Chester support his actions and attack me instead, the way he treated us on one i will never forgive and whenever his name pops up will give the other side of the story. Am i over zealous about this - YES - revenge!
Oct 16th, 2007, 07:41 AM
#46
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When i took his tour in 1981 (did both a morning and afternoon one - 80% different and both excellent), he was not allowed to charge for the tours and had to rely on tips.
It was embarrassing to see how many stiffed him.
It was embarrassing to see how many stiffed him.
Oct 20th, 2007, 04:17 PM
#49
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Just to clear things up, the couple I was hanging out with the day I went to Chartres, the wife was the one who was pregnant, not Miller's wife (thanks, Cigalechanta, for attempting to clarify)!
I still think it was pretty despicable that Malcolm Miller was a no-show, then offered to lead us on a private tour for a mere 125 euro, especially when D&L (the couple) had confirmed with him a week and a half prior. Added to that, Miller was a no show their previous trip the year before and D had explained to Malcolm that it might be a good, long while before they'd return because of the baby (and they were anxious due to Miller's getting on in years). While he had assured D that he'd be there you see how that turned out!
From what I understand, the labyrinth is uncovered every Friday (except Good Friday) and the entire month of March.
audere-est-facere, some other things to do in Chartres:
1) Visit the famous medieval tertres which are located behind the church; these sets of stairs connect upper and lower parts of the town. I missed it the last trip and am eager to go back to see these.
http://www.ville-chartres.fr/site/si...;idarticle=302
2) Breakfast in the upstairs salon de thé at <b>La Chocolaterie</b> located on Place du Cygne (you'll pass it on your way from the train station to the cathedral). Besides chocolate, they have a wide selection of macarons which L (the pregnant wife) and I stocked up on!
http://lachocolaterie.fr/
3) Dine at <b>Restaurant le Georges</b> - we had a wonderfully langorous 3-hour lunch here:
http://www.bw-grand-monarque.com/
You may see all my photos of Chartres here (including those of Place du Cygne, La Chocolaterie, Georges, and the cathedral):
http://www.pbase.com/beatchick/wedne...h&page=all
I still think it was pretty despicable that Malcolm Miller was a no-show, then offered to lead us on a private tour for a mere 125 euro, especially when D&L (the couple) had confirmed with him a week and a half prior. Added to that, Miller was a no show their previous trip the year before and D had explained to Malcolm that it might be a good, long while before they'd return because of the baby (and they were anxious due to Miller's getting on in years). While he had assured D that he'd be there you see how that turned out!
From what I understand, the labyrinth is uncovered every Friday (except Good Friday) and the entire month of March.
audere-est-facere, some other things to do in Chartres:
1) Visit the famous medieval tertres which are located behind the church; these sets of stairs connect upper and lower parts of the town. I missed it the last trip and am eager to go back to see these.
http://www.ville-chartres.fr/site/si...;idarticle=302
2) Breakfast in the upstairs salon de thé at <b>La Chocolaterie</b> located on Place du Cygne (you'll pass it on your way from the train station to the cathedral). Besides chocolate, they have a wide selection of macarons which L (the pregnant wife) and I stocked up on!
http://lachocolaterie.fr/
3) Dine at <b>Restaurant le Georges</b> - we had a wonderfully langorous 3-hour lunch here:
http://www.bw-grand-monarque.com/
You may see all my photos of Chartres here (including those of Place du Cygne, La Chocolaterie, Georges, and the cathedral):
http://www.pbase.com/beatchick/wedne...h&page=all
Oct 22nd, 2007, 09:47 AM
#51
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I suspect old Malcolm has gradually succumbed to alcohol abuse and the vagaries of old age over the years.
I took my first tour with him in 1980 and have taken at least 8 in total, the last one being about 8 years ago. I never detected anything more than a slightly sarcastic, curmudgeonly attitude. I've also seen him do amazing lectures at the Smithsonian.
The man is the world's leading expert on Chartres, and his "readings" of the windows are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I wouldn't boycott him just on the chance he'd had a winey lunch and got a bit boisterous. He's not going to be around much longer, so carpe diem.
I took my first tour with him in 1980 and have taken at least 8 in total, the last one being about 8 years ago. I never detected anything more than a slightly sarcastic, curmudgeonly attitude. I've also seen him do amazing lectures at the Smithsonian.
The man is the world's leading expert on Chartres, and his "readings" of the windows are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I wouldn't boycott him just on the chance he'd had a winey lunch and got a bit boisterous. He's not going to be around much longer, so carpe diem.
