We are thinking of going to Cartres during our quick December trip to Paris. I have the train schedule [thank you Deutschebahn]. What I am looking for is where in Chartes is the station? Is it walkable to the cathedral? Or not. Etc. . . <BR>Thanks in advance for your help

s.fowler writes on the blackboard: <BR> <BR>Chartres <BR>Chartres <BR>Chartres <BR>Chartres <BR>Chartres <BR>Chartres <BR>Chartres <BR> <BR>

According to my trusty Michelin map, the railway station in Chartres is less than 300 yards from the cathedral. The cathedral lies east of the station. It appears that a plaza in front of the station empties onto a street headed southeast, from there one crosses a boulevard which was formed along the old city walls. Narrower streets then lead one to the cathdral, past the city's tourist information office. I would judge it to be a 10-minute walk.

Thanks Al!

The train station is close to the cathedral. I suggest that you make the visit to Chartres a day-trip from Paris. Leaving the Montparnasse station the train will pass in the backyard of Chateau de Versailles, on your right, with splendid views of the gardens. <BR>In Chartres take a tour with Malcolm Miller. Twice a day he gives a guided visit to the cathedral (noon and 2:30 pm. His phone 02.37.21.56.33. <BR>Have a meal at the train station's restaurant. <BR>Enjoy your trip.

Don't take 'a tour with Malcolm Miller' <BR>TAKE THEM BOTH !!!!!!! He will taylor his tour to his group - if you were there for the morning tour, he will change the afternoon tour enough to make the second as interesting as the first. <BR> <BR>However, I was under the impression that he only did the tours in summer. If he isn't there - buy his book to use on your own tour

I remember it being just as Al described. Easy walk. Try to see some of the old town around the catedral too.

I remember it being just as Al described. Easy walk. Try to see some of the old town around the cathedral too.

Thanks for the advice! This is our second visit to Chartres, but last time we took the Cityrama tour. While we're on a roll here do you have any suggestions for a nice cafe nearby?

I'm sure there are other good choices a little more off the beaten path, but we had a nice lunch a couple of weeks ago at the "Cafe de Serpente," just outside the front doors of the Cathedral.

On a recent visit to Paris we took a day trip to Chartres via train from Gare Montparnasse. The cathedral is only a short walk from the station. On the way, there is a delighful bistrot (i.e., restaurant), the Bistrot le Chatelet. It is on the right as you walk up from the station, just around the curve of the street. Their mussels are fabulous. They fix them about a dozen different ways and serve huge bowls of them. It's quite reasonable. Our lunch there was one of our best meals in France. <BR>Have a great trip. <BR>Bob

Boy. this is why I love this forum. The help has been. well HELPFUL!!! Merci milles fois mes amis!

I'm also heading towards Chartres in December, and was wondering how much time everyone recommends for the cathedral and the town. Is it a full day, a full 1/2 day, or would I be cheating myself with only 2 hours? Thanks!

My sister is a stained glass artist, and she and i went to chartres for the 2d time last march. the walk from the train station is about 10 minutes, to the cathedral, and it is basically uphill . . . a gentle slope through town . . . when you are traveling from Paris via train, get a train seat on the east side of the train,(left side as you are traveling south) because as you approach the town of chartres, the cathedral is an impressive sight and you want to see that. <BR> <BR>you should allow for the entire day, because you want to have lunch and see two other things: #1 chartres is the stained glass capital of the world, and there is a wonderful stained glass center there . . . a few blocks directly west of the cathedral in a half-timbered newer building. #2 you want to do something whimsical? go visit the house of Picassiete. you MUST take a taxi to this if you are short on time, just ask to be taken to la maison de picassiete. We had time, so we walked, and our walk took us through the town, through very old windy streets, down pathways, through a cemetery, then to the house of picassiete. This man was the cemetery keeper for years. His house is a few steps from the cemetery. Through 40 years he took broken plates, glass, etc, and did entire mosaics all over his small house, furniture, inside and out, plus statues in his yard. There is a small entry fee . . . you will never forget this. This was almost a pilgrimage for my sister. If you are artsy/craftsy in the least, you will never forget this. <BR> <BR>Now, for lunch: I do not know the name of the restaurant, but I will direct you there. Stand directly in front of the cathedral about 30 paces, face the doors. Look Right: you will see car parking and a row of commercial buildings. You will see a street going through the buildings, and a restaurant on each corner, left and right. Choose the restaurant on the left. Cozy, excellent, delicious mushroom soup which will warm you up. (don't eat in the train station unless you are starving) <BR> <BR>Have a great time. We loved it. Check out the maze on the floor of the cathedral, and buy a paperweight of the maze in the little gift shoppe. <BR> <BR>

Sending this to the top for Diana.

Good Info here, but how much is the train fare (round trip) from Paris to Chartres?

Tommy, I may be a little off on this one, but I think we payed $25 each 2 1/2 years ago. I may be less than that. I am pretty sure though that it was in the range of $12 to $25.

2nd class full fare for the roundtrip should read FF 144. <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>