Discover the historic town of Chartres with its magnificent cathedral on this day trip from Paris. Enter UNESCO World Heritage-listed Chartres Cathedral with your guide to marvel at the remarkably preserved stained glass and see some of the best examples of French Gothic architecture. Continue with free time to explore the town at your leisure, followed by a guided tour of the charming city center and Chartres' old town to see the Collegial Saint-André and ancient city walls. Lunch and hotel pickup and drop-off by comfortable mini-coach are included.
YouÂ’ll be picked from your central Paris hotel in the morning for a 1.5-hour drive by mini-coach to Chartres. When you arrive, start with a guided visit of Chartres Cathedral, an incredibly well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral from the 12th century.
Considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, this historic church features heavy flying buttresses and imposing spires, as well as stained-glass windows that are considered the most complete and best preserved of their kind. Listen as your guide tells the story of this magnificent cathedral, from its many important uses in the Middle Ages to its continuing function as a Catholic pilgrimage site.
After your Chartres Cathedral tour, enjoy free time to get acquainted with the town of Chartres on your own before your guided tour. Walk through the historic city center, wander winding streets and alleyways, browse shops, and admire the half-timbered houses. Stop for lunch at Brasserie L'Annexe, just a short stroll from the cathedral (see below for a sample menu).
Your guide will then take you on a guided exploration of Chartres while explaining its intriguing history as a medieval town. Stroll through Chartres' meticulously preserved old city along the narrow western channel of the River Eure, which is spanned by a number of footbridges. Here, see La Porte Guillaume, the ancient city wall, and enter the charming Collegial Saint-André, a 12th-century Romanesque collegiate church with a turbulent history.
After your tour of Chartres, it's time to hop back on the mini-coach for a relaxing drive back to Paris.
