I'm going to Paris in less than 2 weeks. I've been several times before but I'm taking a friend who's never been and who has only been to Europe once before. We had planned to tour Notre Dame but now with the fire, I'm revising our itinerary and considering a day trip to Chartres so that my friend can see the cathedral. Rick's book says that the historic center is very quiet on Monday with most shops closed.
Will we have trouble finding a place to eat lunch?
There is never a bad day to experience Chartres. We were there last June. Stay the night so you can see the light show.
That's kind of what I was thinking Barbara :-)
Not a direct answer to your question about Mondays, but you may want to know that (at least when we were there) there are two different audio guides. The one offered through the gift shop located in the narthex, which we used, is very good and it's available in English (as well as French and, I believe, several other languages). It's not cheap, but we were happy to pay for it as a way of helping with the upkeep of the building. There is a cheaper one that you can rent inside the nave, but I believe it is only in French.
We enjoyed eating lunch in a creperie near the cathedral that specialized in buckwheat crepes/galettes. They were delicious. The charming historic district, where the helpful TI office is located, is a few blocks from the cathedral.
You may wish to drop a line to Malcolm Miller, the local expert on the Cathedral. Last I heard he was guiding/giving a talk two days a week, but that was 2-3 years ago. You can reach him at: millerchartres AT aol.com Use the @ symbol....
If he's guiding on the day you'll be there, he does like to know you're coming. I also learned the hard way that he does not appreciate flash photography due to an eye condition he has.
There is a very good small cafe called Le Cloitre Gourmand, it's run by a husband and wife, he serves, she prepares food. Excellnt, just very good. It is directly across from the front of the Cathedral. There is also a stained glass shop nearby that I believe has ties to the Cathedral, we did not stop but we wish we had.
Dave, I’m also going to be in Chartres this year, also, staying overnight. Their cathedral site listed below says Malcolm is there at noon and 2:45pm each day except Sunday and no reservations are needed. The website appears to be up-to-date. His regular schedule is Easter - November.
http://www.cathedrale-chartres.org/fr/malcolm-miller,article-254.html
My wife and I begin our RS Tour in Chartres on Sunday, May 19th and we are there all day Monday. Monday the 20th is our 30th anniversary and I've been researching extensively to look for a place worthy of a 30th anniversary dinner. No luck, we decided the entire trip will have to be a 30th anniversary celebration and if we miss the odd meal, then so be it. I note that we're on our own for meals that day so maybe the power of Rick had no luck finding a restaurant for the group either.
Thanks, Jean, that's good to hear. That man is amazing.
I leave for Paris next Tuesday, and I've alsi been contemplating a visit to Chartres in lieu of Notre Dame. I imagine Chartres will see increased visitation in the wake of the Notre Dame fire.
