How much time should we allow for the above sights?
Is the Chartres old town a must see?
How about the Impressionist Museum in Giverny?
We are mostly interested in the sights themselves, as opposed to the surrounding towns. We are trying to do a lot in a couple of days, and would lile to avoid an overly rushed visit to these sights.
Fontainbleau chateau -Half day
Chartres Cathedral and gardens- 1.5 hrs.
The roundtrip to and from Paris is what takes the most time if you are staying in Paris and visiting these sights.
"Is the Chartres old town a must see?" I never know exactly what to make of that term... but anyway, the pedestrian section of Chartres is pleasant enough, but not a whole lot different from other similar towns in France...which is not a bad thing, considering. If you're there to see the cathedral, you may as well linger a while longer through the streets.
You can see the cathedral in about an hour or less. Unlike Notre Dame in Paris, you'll probably never have to wait in line to enter here.
There is an Impressionist Museum in Giverny which is not part of Monet's house and garden. For Monet's house and garden, I'd allow two hours. The Impressionist Museum did not impress me and is skipable.
