Notre-Dame de Chartres is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals dedicated to the Virgin Mary in 12th- and 13th-century northern France. It is considered a high point of French Gothic architecture and was the first French monument to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, in 1979. The cathedral’s architecture, religious dedication and World Heritage history give it several closely connected cultural aspects.
Gothic Architecture and Stained Glass
The windows deserve particular attention: they form the most complete surviving ensemble of ancient stained glass in France. If you are interested in stained glass as well as Gothic architecture, the Centre International du Vitrail offers a complementary focus. Its permanent collection comprises 70 authentic Renaissance stained-glass windows and is considered the largest collection of its kind in France.
The Centre also offers introductory stained-glass courses for children and adults. Taking a course and visiting a collection are different ways to explore the subject: one introduces you to stained glass, while the other presents historic windows. If you would like to plan for a specific date, check the latest course information.
Museums and Exhibition Venues
The Musée des Beaux-Arts is housed in the former bishop’s palace, whose buildings date from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Its collections range from the Middle Ages to the mid-20th century and include paintings, drawings, sculptures and decorative arts. Various temporary exhibitions are also held throughout the year; which exhibition you can see depends on the current programme.
Smaller cultural venues also have their own distinct focus. The chapel of the Prieuré Saint-Vincent serves as an exhibition space and is a stop on the Chemin des Arts. The Chapelle Saint-Eman is also an exhibition venue, devoted mainly to contemporary mosaic art. Exhibitions are now held in the Romanesque Collégiale Saint-André. These venues differ both in their architectural forms and in the art on display.
Paintings and stained-glass windows shape the interior of the Église Saint-Aignan. Among the works is the Saint-Michel window by Jean Jouan, dating from 1547. Its date and attribution make it a specific point of reference if you are interested not only in the overall effect of church art but also in individual works.
Archaeology, Gardens and Cityscapes
The Gallo-Roman sanctuary of Saint-Martin-au-Val is one of the largest known sanctuaries in Roman Gaul. On guided visits, visitors explore the archaeological site and learn more about its history from a cultural guide. The availability of these visits may vary by season; check in advance if a guided visit is important to your plans.
For a change of pace from exhibition spaces and religious architecture, the Jardins de l’Évêché offer a distinctive landscape setting. They afford views of the rooftops of Chartres’s lower town and the Eure Valley. The gardens also preserve the remains of the Collégiale Saint-Étienne. Here, garden views and visible historic heritage sit side by side. Check the latest opening hours before your visit.
Unconventional Art and Local Offerings
The Maison Picassiette offers a different experience from the major ecclesiastical and museum collections. Its floors, walls, ceilings and furniture are entirely covered in paint or mosaics. During a visit, you can discover buildings, faces, flowers, animals and other surprising forms everywhere you look. If you are interested in patterns and motifs, you will find a highly personal approach to art here, markedly different from the cathedral’s architectural history.
Chartres en lumières is an event organised by the city that illuminates Chartres’s heritage. The Saturday morning market in Chartres also offers artisan bread, dairy products, terrines and local confectionery. At Place Billard, the Saturday morning market features stalls selling spices, fresh flowers and cheese. Check the market hours and current offerings in advance.
The sights cover a range of themes rather than forming a single fixed itinerary. Choose your visits according to your interests, and check the latest information for seasonally available guided visits, markets and exhibitions.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Sainte-Gemme-Moronval, La Saucelle, Ermenonville-La-Petite, Vaupillon, Saint-Lucien, Cherisy, Montreuil, Champagne.
For the overview of the wider region: Eure-Et-Loir.
