cfc

bookmarking

latedaytraveler

Ackislander - thanks for your informative and colorful report.

cfc

Update, by the way, on Malcolm Miller. I just emailed him re: his likelihood of being there on a certain day. He answered immediately and lucidly, and he's definitely still there and doing tours.

PalenQ

BTW my negative comments on Malcolm the person in no way should be viewed as saying his tours are not super - I've been on three over the years and except for ranting at local youths on mopeds who he says purposefully buzz him when he takes the group outside - but the tours themselves were riveting - bringing the anicent stones and glass to life.

He is getting up there in years so take the chance to experience Malcom's awesome tours!

Betsy

After considerable discussion and because we're two lazy to look it up, we think we were at Chartres in the year 2000. We heard Malcolm Miller and had lunch at Serpente! Remember the restaurant well and would happily return.

PalenQ

One one tour when Malcolm gave them after lunch the old alleged Oxbridge guy was rather reeking of wine - I suggest a morning tour and thought I heard that he now only does morning tours.

PalenQ

http://www.amazon.com/Chartres-Cathe.../dp/1878351540

If not mentioned above you can get Malcolm's book - THER book - on the world-famous cathedral at amazon.com.

PalenQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDnAAAp6ENg

Here's a You Tube of Malcom doing his things at Chartres just last April - looks fit as a fiddle.

cfc

PalenQ: Tried to find his book in local (Boston area) libraries only to find them largely marked "missing" - which means they've been stolen from the stacks. Oddly gratifying to know people out there appreciate his work, but.... will check Amazon before we go.

nukesafe

We did the Chartres/Malcolm Miller trip a couple of years ago on a Friday. The advantage of Friday was that was the day they cleared the chairs from the nave so that folks could walk the labyrinth. We took an early train and had the Cathedral all to ourselves so we could walk the convoluted path in silence and contemplation, as it is supposed to be experienced.

We took the Malcolm tour at noon, and by that time the labyrinth was so packed it looked like rush hour at Chatelet Metro.

BTW, on that day Malcolm was at his charming English best, without a hint of crust.

pariswat

I am in Chartres now. Just wanting to revive this thread.

We went yesterday to place des épars, where they have installed an iceskating - and conveniently next to it some warm wine is being served.

Quite nice. The cathedral is still beautiful, very nice when lit, now we go back to see in daylight.

annhig

sounds lovely, pariswat.

We have iceskating here in Truro too, but the Cathedral is not quite the equal of Chartres.

kerouac

"Chartres en Lumières" is an event that people should not miss in the warmer months. All sorts of places are artistically illuminated in amazing ways.

annhig

thanks, Kerouac - I'll try to remember that.

TPAYT

Excellent tips----your "mistakes" and other Fodorites comments will help many others who wish to make this day trip----like me. Thanks for posting

PalenQ

https://www.google.com/search?q=pica...w=1745&bih=868

http://www.discover-chartres.com/mai...cassiette.html

A highlight of Chartres for me is Picassiette's House - Picassiette was a street sweeper who picks up detritus and fashioned them into wondrous works of art in his house and garden - practically every inch - including renditions of Chartres Cathedral.

The house is about 2 kms from the town center in a residential neighborhood and well worth the trek to see this acclaimed example of art naive - Raymond Issadore was his real name but neighborhood kids mocked him and his 'art' by calling him the feminine form of Picasso.

Michael

<i>' by calling him the feminine form of Picasso.</i>

and for another explanation of his name:

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...tte+definition

PegS

Thanks for reviving this thread. I missed it the first time around and it's very helpful.

Sally30

so you wouldn't recommend bringing a well behaved child on the tour? We are planning to take a day trip from Paris to Chartres on our family trip and thought perhaps the well behaved child could join the tour while either my husband or I hang out with the younger (less well behaved) child...

nukesafe

I don't see where anyone recommended not bringing kids, Sally, but then I did not reread all of this old thread. In any case, I think it would depend on how old the kids were, but if you are travelling with them anyway, you might as well give it a try. I don't see why their behavior would be any different in a cathedral than in a museum, or any other venue. The only other alternatives would be to stay in your hotel room, or resort to drugs.