Train to Chatres for day trip

Trains for Chartres from Paris Montparnasse train station take as little as one hour.
www.TheTrainline.com has train fares and schedules.

If you could stay one night, you could see the wonderful light show.

Chartres is a great place to visit. There is a lot more to it than the cathedral, the old town area is charming. The light show is spectacular. SNCF is the French train company, although we just purchased our tickets at the station.

Trains are direct, but not non-stop.

There is no such thing as a round trip; you always buy two one ways in train travel although the Trainline.eu and the SNCF sites will organize it asa round trip and issue two tickets. You don't get senior fares without buying a special card not worth doing for a short trip.

The train station in Chartres is very close to the Cathedral and is an easy stroll. we did it last year and spent the night in a small hotel near the Cathedral so we could see the illuminations. The last train to Paris is to early to be able to enjoy the spectacular light show -- it is worth spending the night for that.

There are several stops on the train and each station is clearly announced on an electronic sign in the coach so you can be prepared to exit quickly when the train makes its brief stop. Train is direct but not non-stop.

Agreeing that it’s very easy by train from Gare Montparnasse.
The town itself is charming to have a look at after your Cathedral visit.
If you sit on the upper level on the right side of the train going to Chartres, or left going back to Paris, you might get a glimpse of Versailles way in the distance.
I saw it, but it was winter with no leaves on trees in between.