Chartres Things to Do

Among the more important sites in Chartres is the Abbey of Saint-Pierre and its Gothic church. The complex was founded in 650 AD by la Reine Bathilde, wife of King Clovis II, but rebuilt several times thereafter. Its main church, Église Saint-Pierre, was completely rebuilt in the 12th century, and expanded thereafter. It is said to be a beautiful example of Gothic architecture, and to contain stunning stained glass windows dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. Unfortunately for me, I was unable to visit Saint-Pierre due to time constraints, but wanted to include a tip here to complete my page and to remind myself to visit it on a future trip to Chartres (maybe on a sunnier, warmer day). Sain-Pierre is located south of the old city centre.

4 more images

This Gothic castle-like structure, located just east of the Cathedral, is Chapelle Saint-Piat. It was built in 1325 as a stand-alone structure and connected to the apse of the Cathedral by a passage two decades later. Its lower level contains the tombs of the bishops, while the upper chapel contains the Cathedral's treasure and relics of the saint. The chapel also has beautiful stained glass windows from the 14th century. Unfortunately, when I visited in December 2011, the chapel did not look accessible (possibly because of the ongoing restoration work at the back of the Cathedral?).

Attached to the northern tower of the Cathedral, this Renaissance-style sunclock was designed and built by Jehan de Beauce, the same architect who designed the northern tower. It was completed in 1520 and was the clock that dictated when the bells of the cathedral would ring.

3 more images

This A-shaped building is known both as Parloir aux Bourgeois and Perron des Trois-Rois. It was built in the 13th century and contains an original timber roof within the A-frame. The building was the Hôtel de Ville (city hall) from 1571 until 1792, when the function was moved to Hôtel Montescot (see separate tip). The courtyard of the building is accessed through a preserved ancient archway, which is now part of the adjacent (yellow) building. It is located on rue des Changes, just outside the location of the non-extant Château Comtal, which has been replaced with le Marché aux Légumes.

3 more images

Located around the chevet of Cathedral are the terraced gardens of the bishops of Chartres. In recent years, the gardens have been turned into a public park where one could enjoy panoramic views over la basse ville, the lower part of the city of Chartres. Previously, they were part of the enclosure of the Cathedral where the Bishops Palace was located (now the Beaux-Arts Museum), along with some non-extant ancient churches. On the second level of the gardens is a labyrinth modelled after the one within the Cathedral.

4 more images

The River Eure is a minor river in northwestern France. It drains the hills west of Chartres and passes through the city, where it forms a river island, before joining the River Seine further north. The navigable river provided the city with a means of transportation and communication and allowed a fish market to develop around rue de la Poissonnerie in Chartres. Other small industries also developed along its banks, nowadays preserved in the names of the streets and quays, such as rue de la Tannerie, quai des Teinturiers (tannery and cleaners, respectively). In Chartres, the river is crossed by numerous ancient, though often rebuilt, stone bridges (see photos). These neighbourhoods are some of the most charming in Chartres.

2 more images

One of the more charming streets in Chartres, rue des Écuyers, whose name means "horsemen," contains a series of Mediaeval buildings. Two in particular are prime examples of architecture with timber framing, the A-shaped building at nº26, seen in the attached photograph, and the building at nº35 with the round staircase known as l'Escaliers de la Reine Berthe (see separate tip).

2 more images

In the Middle Ages, there was a sizeable Jewish community in Chartres. Two non-extant synagogues served the community, which was confined to living in just two areas within the city of Chartres. The first area is in the centre around the commercial area, and the second is by the River Eure, around the street now named, Rue aux Juifs, in their honour. Although the Jews of Chartres lived in relative peace for a couple of centuries (despite restrictions), they were persecuted from the city beginning 1182, as a result of the Crusades, until they were finally expelled in 1394, when King Charles IV expelled all Jews from the whole Kingdom of France. A sign describing the history of the Jews of Chartres, with a map showing Jewish neighbourhoods, is posted at rue aux Juifs to keep the community's memory alive.