[2025 Chartres Attraction] Travel Guide for Our Lady of Chartres Cathedral (Updated Jul)

#cityplaybook #attractive Discover the charm of Chartres, a historic town just southwest of Paris, best known for its awe-inspiring Chartres Cathedral—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Gothic masterpiece, with its soaring spires and mesmerizing stained glass, has drawn pilgrims and art lovers for centuries. Beyond the cathedral, wander the quaint medieval streets, admire half-timbered houses, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere along the Eure River. Chartres beautifully blends history, architecture, and serenity in one unforgettable experience. #Chartres #ChartresCathedral #UNESCO #MedievalFrance #FrenchHeritage #GothicArchitecture #HiddenGemsFrance

A little pit stop on my road trip, Chartres was a fun town to spend a day in. The gorgeous Chartres Cathedral is a towering 13th century gothic cathedral. 😍 During the winter, they also light up the cathdral with spectucular light shows. Though the whole town used to be lit up, it now only remains on a few attractions due to the energy crisis in europe 😔 #mytripvlog #tripblazers

Upon arriving in Chartres, the first thing that greeted me was the awe-inspiring majesty of the asymmetrical spires reaching skyward. However, the true beauty of the cathedral lay in the intricate details and the play of light hidden within its grandeur. ⛪ As I stepped inside the cathedral, I was immediately enveloped by a 'forest of light.' The moment I entered the dim interior, the stained glass windows began to radiate dazzling beams of light. Despite enduring centuries, the colors were astonishingly vivid and profound. Each window depicted biblical figures and stories with meticulous detail. Even the expressions of characters tucked away in less noticeable corners were rendered with remarkable precision. These stained glass windows, crafted by joining colored glass pieces with lead lines, have endured over 800 years and still capture light in a way that is truly awe-inspiring.

Mornings in Chartres begin with the gentle chime of cathedral bells. As you stroll through the alleys, you’ll naturally find yourself drawn to a special place—the **Chartres Countryside Market (Marché de Chartres)**. This market is held every Wednesday and Saturday morning in the square near the cathedral. Though not large in scale, the scenery within is vibrant and heartwarming. Unlike tourist hotspots, this market is frequented mostly by locals, offering a genuine glimpse into the everyday lives of French people.

Galerie du Vitrail is a stained glass gallery located right next to Chartres Cathedral. It is situated outside the western or left aisle of the cathedral, directly adjacent to it. The gallery showcases a wide range of stained glass works, spanning from medieval to modern times. One of the highlights is the detailed explanation of how the cathedral's windows were created, as well as the restoration and preservation processes involved. When we visited, there happened to be a special exhibition featuring the protagonist of "The Adventures of Tintin," which I absolutely adore. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience!

#summervacay Just 1.5 hours from Paris lies Bonneval, a charming medieval village in the Loire Valley — the perfect destination for a peaceful countryside getaway. 🛶 What to Do in Bonneval: Rent a little boat and cruise along the canal that wraps around the town — it's scenic, serene, and absolutely idyllic. Admire the stone houses, ivy-covered walls, and quiet streets that give the whole town a storybook vibe. Take it slow — the village is compact and walkable. In just 1–2 hours, you can see most of it, leaving plenty of time to relax or picnic by the water. It’s full of that easy, breezy summer feeling 🌿💛 ⛪ Bonus Stop: Chartres Cathedral On your way back to Paris, make a detour to Chartres and check out the iconic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres — a Gothic masterpiece with mesmerizing stained glass. 📍 Getting There: From Paris: 1.5h by car Ideal for: Weekend day trip, romantic escape, or solo unwinding trip Best season: Spring to early autumn for lush greenery #WeekendInFrance #ParisGetaway #Bonneval #HiddenGemsFrance #FrenchCountryside

#cityplaybook Welcome to Chartres, a city where history breathes through every stone. The crown jewel is the Chartres Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its towering spires, dazzling stained glass windows, and spiritual atmosphere. It’s one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, drawing visitors from all over the world. Beyond the cathedral, explore charming medieval streets, quaint cafes, and scenic walks along the Eure River. As the sun sets, witness the Chartres en Lumières, a stunning light show that illuminates the city's landmarks in mesmerizing colors. #Chartres #ChartresCathedral #FrenchGothic #HeritageCity #ChartresEnLumières #HiddenFrance #EureRiverWanders

Chartres Cathedral is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture and is registered as a World Heritage Site. Its beautiful stained glass is particularly impressive, with over 1,000 windows made between the 12th and 13th centuries pouring colorful light into the cathedral and creating a mysterious atmosphere. The exterior of the cathedral is also magnificent, with its intricately carved facade and two distinctive towers. Inside, the 37-meter-high ceiling gives an overwhelming sense of scale. Chartres Cathedral is also known as the patron saint of the Virgin Mary, and is a special place where you can see the "Saint of Chartres", which contains the Virgin Mary's clothes. In addition, the surrounding area still retains medieval streets, allowing you to feel the history while strolling around. Chartres Cathedral is a place where you can enjoy history, art, and architecture all at once, making it a tourist destination worth visiting. 📍16 Cloître Notre Dame, 28000 Chartres, France #FreeHotelStay #FranceTrip

It is said to be one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in France, and is registered as a World Heritage Site! Originally built as a Romanesque cathedral, it suffered a series of fires and lost everything except the western tower and the west facade. Reconstruction began in 1194, and the burned parts were rebuilt in the Gothic style. That's why the towers on the right and left are different shapes. The interior of Chartres Cathedral is decorated with 173 vibrant stained glass windows. The most famous of these is the vibrant blue stained glass called "Chartres Blue." It was all made by hand at the time, and it is said that it cannot be reproduced even with modern technology. By the way, the rose window on the west facade (second photo) When you look back as soon as you enter the cathedral, you can see it. It is one of the greatest stained glass masterpieces, created in 1216, and depicts the Last Judgment. In the center of the rose, Christ is depicted, looking to the Archangel Michael for the Final Judgement. And below the rose, the Archangel Michael is seen deciding who will go to heaven and who will go to hell. Below the rose window, there are three vertical lancet stained glass windows, the rightmost one is the "Tree of Jesse." The tree's branches show the genealogy leading up to the birth of Christ. In the center is a depiction of the first half of Christ's life up until his entry into Jerusalem. And on the leftmost side is a depiction of Christ's Passion and Resurrection, and at the top row you can see the Virgin Mary holding Christ. Being surrounded by beautiful blue is soothing 🫧🩵💙💰 Chartres, France Chartres Cathedral 📍Location: 16 Cloître Notre Dame, 28000 Chartres, France 🕰️Opening hours: 8:30-19:30 #Overseas travel record #France

It was a short trip of just under two hours direct from Montparnasse Station in Paris, France. It is famous for its beautiful stained glass, not the largest in France, but not the tallest. In fact, the decoration is beautiful, and it is regularly renovated to maintain its beauty. The fun of this cathedral is that there is a tour that allows you to climb to the roof of the cathedral. In about an hour, you climb about 200 steps, go to the attic of the cathedral, and receive various explanations. On another tour, there was also a guided tour of the cathedral's basement. Please note that the start times are different in English and French. The town of Chartres itself is cute, and its specialty candy, Menchikoff, is a white candy with an interesting chocolate-flavored texture. #OverseasTravelRecord #FranceTourism #ChartresCathedral