Which Day Trip--Chartres or Rouen?
Feb 15th, 2012, 01:04 PM
#21
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Merci beaucoup, FrenchMystique! I played around in the French SNCF site, so I wasn't really sure what I was doing, but I see that it is really having you select each way separately with different prices depending on time of day, route, or some other factor I can't figure out.
I like your idea and I think I will get the Paris-Chartres ticket in advance if possible since we'll want to get an early start, and then leave the return open to see how we are holding up. It'll be our last full day in Paris and I'm sure we will be a bit shattered by then. Thanks for mentioning the distance of the chateau from the train station as I read somewhere that the chateau was "steps from" the station -- many steps I guess. We'll have to factor that into account in assessing how hardy we are by the afternoon.
I like your idea and I think I will get the Paris-Chartres ticket in advance if possible since we'll want to get an early start, and then leave the return open to see how we are holding up. It'll be our last full day in Paris and I'm sure we will be a bit shattered by then. Thanks for mentioning the distance of the chateau from the train station as I read somewhere that the chateau was "steps from" the station -- many steps I guess. We'll have to factor that into account in assessing how hardy we are by the afternoon.
Feb 15th, 2012, 01:23 PM
#22
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wayfinder45 - If you're having difficulty using the voyages-sncf website, since it's in French, just click on the little American flag at the bottom of the page and that brings you to the English language version called www.tgv-europe.com. If in using this website you ever get redirected to the RailEurope site enter Antarctica or some other country as your ticket collection country to avoid this. However, since it's local trains that run this route you shouldn't have this problem.
I found the train station in Maintenon by checking google maps so give it a look and you'll see what I mean about the distance.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Yup, when you've finished in Chartres you can head to the train station and buy your ticket back to Paris or one to Maintenon and one from there to Paris. When in Chartres don't forget to stop in the tourist office to get your map of town which outlines the tourist trail. I think a lot of people just go for the cathedral and miss out on the lovely medieval parts of town, especially the walk along the river. The tourist office is located at the far end of the plaza in front of the cathedral.
One last tip about Chartres, if you happen to be there at the right time you should definitely visit La Maison Picassiette:
http://www.thejoyofshards.co.uk/picassiette/index.shtml
http://www.chartres-tourisme.com/en/...cassiette/540/
I found the train station in Maintenon by checking google maps so give it a look and you'll see what I mean about the distance.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Yup, when you've finished in Chartres you can head to the train station and buy your ticket back to Paris or one to Maintenon and one from there to Paris. When in Chartres don't forget to stop in the tourist office to get your map of town which outlines the tourist trail. I think a lot of people just go for the cathedral and miss out on the lovely medieval parts of town, especially the walk along the river. The tourist office is located at the far end of the plaza in front of the cathedral.
One last tip about Chartres, if you happen to be there at the right time you should definitely visit La Maison Picassiette:
http://www.thejoyofshards.co.uk/picassiette/index.shtml
http://www.chartres-tourisme.com/en/...cassiette/540/
Feb 15th, 2012, 02:14 PM
#23
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For the record, the thing that stands out from our visit to Rouen was 3 great Gothic churches (the cathedral, St. Ouen and St. Maclou), all within easy walking distance of the center. Well, I think the cathedral IS the center of Rouen. And lots of more or less medieval buildings.
Rouen is a city, Chartres is a nice small town. I've seen really striking photos of Chartres cathedral rising above fields of grain. Makes you realize what a miracle, what a vision of heaven, such a cathedral must have seemed to the ordinary people of Middle Ages.
Rouen is a city, Chartres is a nice small town. I've seen really striking photos of Chartres cathedral rising above fields of grain. Makes you realize what a miracle, what a vision of heaven, such a cathedral must have seemed to the ordinary people of Middle Ages.
Aug 10th, 2016, 02:47 PM
#24
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I just came across this post while researching day trips to Maintenon and Rambrouillet. Loved seeing French Mystique's lovely bike ride and commentary through the countryside to those towns and Chartres. FMT, if you see this thanks so much!
