My spouse is taking a class in Chartres for a week in early July. Looking for suggestions on what to do while he's in class all day. Of course the town and the cathedral will take up a few days ... but I'm there long enough to do a deep dive, and to take a side trip or two. I'm not planning on renting a car. I like wine, cooking, markets and/or any food-related store, hiking, exploring ... What do you think?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Since the train is handy you easily pop into Paris and any of the other surrounding areas and transportation will be cheap. Just get a good guidebook for the area and see what interests you.
Posted by
Paris
7304 posts
Seconded!
And if going all the way into Paris alone sounds daunting / exhausting, the same direct trains call at Versailles and Rambouillet (another town with a beautiful château and park). In Versailles, the Marché Notre Dame is great on Tuesday, Friday, Sunday mornings, and easily combined with a visit of the château grounds or Trianon. In Rambouillet, on top of the château and park there are some interesting hiking opportunities in the forest (not sure about the availability of English-language info, but maps will be available).
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2087 posts
You can combine Rambouillet with Maintenon, lovely château there. In opposite direction Le Mans has a very nice historic centre, just a bit more as 1½ hour with direct local train. If of interest a guided tour in Château de Rambouillet include a visit to Marie-Antoinettes dairy farm and a fancy cottage in the huge park.
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1384 posts
And the other end of the train line you have Le Loup, Nogent-le-Rotrou and Le Mans. I listed them in order of size and distance, i lived in the area back in 2008.
Posted by
Michigan
483 posts
Good ideas here...just want to add to check on Rambouillet and renovations. When we were there in 2015, they had recently begun, and only a small fraction of the chateau was available. In addition, we had called ahead and requested an English speaking tour when we went with our French friends, and the guide did not provide that. Our friends asked him if he could switch to English as planned, and he said no - and proceeded to give the tour in such rapid fire French that it became comical! I caught about every fourth word, it seemed. My friend tried to translate for us, and finally we just went in to the very few rooms and looked around, not knowing what he was saying.
I've heard the Versailles market is wonderful, and it would be fun to explore that in addition to all that the chateau and grounds have to offer. Our friends sold their home near Paris when they retired and bought a home in Versailles. They love the area.
Have fun exploring!
Laurie