Destinations
Culture and discovery
Take a step back in history by exploring the city of Chartres and its surroundings. About an hour's drive from Paris, this city in the Eure et Loir region is best known for its gothic cathedral, which is listed as a Historic Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover its other cultural and architectural treasures.
THE CASTLE OF MAINTENON
Temporary exhibitions, guided tours, French-style gardens with an aqueduct... In the heart of the city, the Château de Maintenon is a must-see during your stay in Chartres. The castle belonged to Madame de Maintenon, governess who became the wife of the Sun King, Louis XIV.
The visit of the castle is divided into two parts, first with the discovery of the XVIIth century flats of Madame de Maintenon, then with the visit of the small flats of the XIXth century, the King's salon, the large flats of the XIXth century and the gallery.
THE NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL
The historic centre of Chartres stretches along the banks of the Eure. There are many traces of history, such as the 13th century canonical house, the buildings of the merchant quarter and of course the Notre-Dame cathedral, a jewel of Gothic art. Built in the 12th century, it has the largest choir (650 m²) and the largest Romanesque crypt in France.
Admire the statues, stained glass windows and don't miss the Stained Glass Museum, which is located 100 metres from the cathedral.
THE CHâTEAU DE CHâTEAUDUN
Overlooking the Loir, the castle of Châteaudun was the residence of a faithful companion in arms of Joan of Arc, Jean de Dunois, known as the "Bastard of Orleans". Between 1450 and 1520, the medieval and gothic castle was given a wing with Renaissance decoration. Its important collection of tapestries, its architecture, its temporary exhibitions and its medieval hanging gardens - unique in the Centre region - can now be discovered during a guided or self-guided tour.
THE INTERNATIONAL STAINED GLASS CENTRE
In the heart of Chartres, this centre, founded in 1980, presents its visitors with several exhibitions on the art of stained glass and the contemporary art of light.
The Centre International du Vitrail is a world reference for contemporary and amateur artists working with glass and light. It is a place of education, training, practice and exhibition.
THE PICASSIETTE HOUSE
The Picassiette House Museum takes its name from the nickname of the municipal employee Raymond Isidore, known as "Picassiette". He spent almost 30,000 hours creating his work in a naive style, with mosaics of earthenware and glass cast in cement. Throughout the rooms, discover faces, flowers, animals and geometric shapes all in colourful mosaics. Admire the 1950s chapel, the black courtyard with its three-dimensional representation of Chartres cathedral, the summer house, the parados garden and the spirit tomb.
The Picassiette Museum is classified as a Historical Monument and has been awarded the "Patrimoine du XXème siècle" label.
THE MUSÉE DES BEAUX-ARTS DE CHARTRES
Browse through the reception rooms, the chapel and the Italian room to admire the unique collections of the Chartres Fine Arts Museum. Housed in the former episcopal palace, classified as a Historic Monument, the Chartres museum displays paintings, sculptures, art objects and ethnographic objects from the 13th to the 20th century. It houses works by Fragonard, Corot, Zurbaran and Henri Navarre.