We are interested in doing day-trips from Paris to Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte, and also to Chartres. Possibly we'd combine Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte on a single day. Chartres would be a separate day.
We would prefer to hire a tour company to pick us up at our Paris hotel, and after visiting the site, return us to our hotel. Are there tour companies that you have used for these day-trips that you would recommend? If so, can you provide name and/or web address. Thanks.
You are in luck because the ten year long renovation of the Chartres Cathedral is reported to be complete and the interior is not covered by scaffolding, plywood and tarps as it was when I was there 2 years ago.
I found a ParisCityVision tour that partially meets your requirements.
https://www.pariscityvision.com/en/audioguide-tour-vaux-vicomte-fontainebleau
Earlier this year I enjoyed the ParisCityVision tour of Amboise and Chenonceau. The full size bus was nicely appointed and the tour made good use of time. Departure is from their location about three blocks north of the Louvre.
Will the train work for you? I used the train to visit both Fontainebleau and Chartres. In 2015 I took the train from Paris to Chartres & earlier this year I took the train from Paris to Fontainebleau. The trips could not have been simpler. In Chartres, the train station is less than 1/2 mile walk to the cathedral. The Fontainebleau train station is about two miles from the chateau and taxis are convenient in both directions.
Very helpful. Thanks.
Unless the guide is especially knowledgeable, I do not think a tour would add much value to a visit to Chartres. Transportation is easy by train.
On the other hand, if you can arrange to catch one of Malcolm Miller's tours--lecture, really--of the cathedral, very much worth it.
When are the Malcolm Miller tours? Do you happen to know?
I hope this info on the Chartres Cathedral website is current:
http://www.cathedrale-chartres.org/fr/malcolm-miller,article-254.html
He gave a 30 min lecture to the RS group I was with in 2015. He talks about medieval religious thought and how it is present in the architecture of the church. Take paper and pen for notes.
