Chartres is 90 km (56 miles) southwest of Paris (map).

Train

Twenty TER trains per day depart Paris's Gare Montparnasse for Chartres and Le Mans. The trip to Chartres takes about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the train.

Here's how to buy train tickets in France.

When you arrive in Chartres, you can take a bus (see below) or a taxi to get to your hotel or the cathedral, or you can walk: leave the station and walk straight up the hill to the Place Jean Moulin (and its free public toilets), then turn left—you'll see the spires of the cathedral up the hill.

Car

The A10/A11/E50 or N10 highways take you between Paris and Chartres in about 100 minutes.

Filibus

Local city bus service in Chartres is provided by Filibus. Five bus lines, 7, 9, 11 and 13, plus the free Relais des Portes shuttle minibuses, connect the Gare de Chartres train station with other parts of the city, especially the historic center.

The Relais des Portes shuttle minibuses circle the historic city center every 15 to 20 minutes, connecting the former medieval gates in the city walls plus stopping near the cathedral. The ride is free.

Relais des Portes shuttle minibus, Chartres, France.

Walking

Chartres is a relatively small town, and you can get to most major sites on foot. Get a map from the Tourist Information Office and plan your route. The vieille ville, or old city, is fun to wander through and mostly pedestrian streets. Be aware that Chartres is a bit hilly, so if you walk along the river, you'll have to walk back up the hill to get to the cathedral and center of town.

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What to See & Do in Chartres Hotels in Chartres Restaurants in Chartres Tourist Information About Chartres Day-trips from Paris

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