I am considering taking the short trip to see Chartres Cathedral. I would love to see the light show in the evening but really do not want to stay overnight in Chartres. Are there trains that leave late enough from Chartres back to Paris to accommodate seeing the light show?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Last train departs most days at 21:34, but earlier on Saturdays. How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it.
Posted by
Chicago
8547 posts
Probably not.
The light show is not that interesting IMHO; what is interesting in this Cathedral is the stained glass and the time to see that is during the day (preferably a sunny day). It is arguably the best stained glass in a gothic cathedral. If you possibly can get one of the Malcolm Miller lectures about the windows. He does different ones so one can even go to both lectures on days he does two and not get the same thing.
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2262 posts
We loved our day in Chartres, and the time with Malcolm Miller-absolutely an amazing story-but were up against the same question as you. I got tickets for the solo violinist at La Sainte-Chappelle, we caught the train back late afternoon after a great lunch and spent the evening in Paris. With sooo much in Paris, I couldn't justify an overnight in Chartres for the light show.
Cheers!
Edit: you can email Malcolm at [email protected] to confirm with him the days he will be guiding.
Posted by
S.F. Bay Area, CA, United States
1878 posts
If by the light show you mean Chartes en Lumieres -- we saw it in May 2010 and it was still pretty late for us. We found Chartes to be a charming town and the cathedral is my favorite of all time along with Salisbury Cathedral. Chartes en Lumieres is incredibly magical; many buildings around town are illuminated, not just the cathedral. They play classical French music along with the visuals.
Posted by
Ohio
2157 posts
Hi Mari, personally, I thought the light show at Chartres was wonderful. It begins when it gets dark, so probably about 9:30 or 10 pm. I made a video with my I-pad and I've watched it many times. The cathedral is beautiful and really worth a visit. Book a tour with Malcolm Miller if you can, he's great. I was also very interested in the labyrinth, but heard that it may be blocked off for renovations right now. If you can work an overnight stay into your visit, do it. Maybe a noon to noon trip?
We saw the illumination at Reims Cathedral a few weeks ago. Reims is also very nice but it needs some TLC.
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1376 posts
It is not JUST the Notre Dame de Chartres that has a light show in my favorite French city.
The Mediatheque downtown on the Place des Epars is light up as well as:
The theatre
Saint-Pierre church
Some bridges along the Eure among many others.
Might I suggest staying a night IN Chartres? It's a charming city.