Best things to do in Chartres

Chartres Highlights

Chartres is defined by its UNESCO-listed Gothic cathedral, famous for its 12th and 13th-century stained glass and labyrinth. Beyond the cathedral, the city features the former episcopal palace, now a fine arts museum, and the medieval lower town along the Eure river. This area preserves timber-framed structures like the Maison du Saumon and historic fortifications such as the Porte Guillaume ruins. Notable religious sites include the former abbey church of Saint-Pierre and the Saint-Martin-au-Val church, which houses an early medieval crypt.

Chartres Highlights — Map

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Chartres Cathedral

Chartres Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres, is a Catholic Cathedral in Chartres, France, about 80 km southwest…

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Musée des Beaux-Arts de Chartres

Housed in the former episcopal palace, this museum displays collections of paintings, sculptures, and tapestries from the 16th to 19th centuries, alongside Oceanian art and rare harpsichords.

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Maison du Saumon

A 16th-century timber-framed house named for its carved salmon decorations. It currently serves as the local tourist office and showcases the city's medieval architectural heritage.

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Église Saint-Aignan

Rebuilt in the 16th century, this church features a blend of Renaissance and Gothic architecture, notable for its extensive collection of 16th-century stained glass and painted interior walls.

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Église Saint-Pierre

Formerly the church of the Abbey of Saint-Père-en-Vallée, this 13th-century structure is renowned for its well-preserved medieval stained glass windows and its history as a major Benedictine site.

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Église Sainte-Foy

An 11th-century Romanesque church that has been decommissioned. It now serves as a cultural space for exhibitions and events within the city center.

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Théâtre de Chartres

An Italian-style municipal theater inaugurated in 1861, featuring a classic 19th-century facade and hosting a variety of performing arts.

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Hôtel Montescot

Built in the early 17th century, this brick and stone mansion represents the Louis XIII architectural style and currently houses municipal offices.

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Vestiges de la porte Guillaume

The ruins of a major 14th-century gate that was part of the city's medieval defensive walls until its destruction in 1944.

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Pont Saint-Hilaire

A historic stone bridge spanning the Eure river, providing access to the lower town and offering views of the surrounding medieval mills.

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Maison dite du Médecin Huvé

A notable Renaissance-style house dating back to the early 16th century, featuring ornate stone carvings on its facade.

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Église Saint-Martin-au-Val

Located within the Saint-Brice hospital grounds, this church is built over a Merovingian necropolis and features one of the oldest crypts in the region.

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