Located 100 km southwest of Paris, it is a dynamic city, full of charm and rich in a remarkable historical heritage. It is an ideal destination for a weekend. It is necessary to stroll through the medieval heart of the city, pleasant by day and by night. And stroll along the Eure to admire the pretty stone bridges and half-timbered houses.
Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral
Built in 30 years. It is one of the best preserved Gothic cathedrals (13th century) in the world. It has a length of 130 m and a height under vault of 37 m. Its rosette is one of the largest in the world (13.36 m in diameter compared to 13.1 m for the two rosettes of Notre-Dame de Paris). For the anecdote, on the floor of the main nave is represented an immense labyrinth. Every Friday, the chairs are set aside for visitors to test it.
Chartres is nicknamed the "Capital of Light"
This nickname is due to her famous event that actually lasts 6 months, from April to October, 7 days a week: "Chartres en Lumières". Each year, 24 sites and monuments in the city are illuminated by exceptional sound and light effects. Bridges, halls, theatre, cathedral, chapels, media library...: at each site an original scenography that tells either the history of the monument or a fictional story: a love story on the façade of the theatre or an epic for children on the façade of the Museum of Fine Arts for example. The scenography of the bridges and banks of the Eure invites you to take a night walk along the quays. Smart tip: throw a stone into the water in front of the Gloriette washhouse, you will see the water interacting with the illuminated banks. It's colourful, magical and grandiose
Make the most of Chartres en Lumières
There is a smartphone application "Chartres en Lumières" which offers thematic tours and provides explanations for each illuminated monument. More unusual, night visits by canoe or kayak. Behind this large-scale project, there is a municipal team of professionals and enthusiasts who collaborate with several associations to propose a series of activities. Among others, Mouv'en Lumières which proposes to dance through Chartres en Lumières (May 18 and October 12); Les Chartrestivales with more than 50 free shows every evening in July and August. And the highlight of the season is the Festival of Light on September 21 (exhibitions, street shows, entertainment...): with 50,000 visitors, it is the most important event in the region
In the vicinity, he there are sites not to be missed
The castle of Maintenon is a few kilometers away. This is where Madame de Maintenon lived, the hidden woman of the Sun King, Louis XIV. The French gardens of the estate are very pretty. More unusual, it is necessary to visit the Picassiette house. Its owner decided to cover all the interior and exterior walls of his house with shards of glass and earthenware. It took him 33 years and 29,000 hours of work. An impressive mosaic
A very nice experience to discover with Stéphan Szeremeta with Frédéric Bastien in podcast on Bel RTL
