I leave for Paris next week. While I am there, I am renting a car to drive to Mont St. Michel. Due to my schedule, a tour or taking the train is not an option. I want to stop in Chartres on the way to see the cathedral. I checked Rick's book but I didn't find any information on parking, although it might be there and I just overlooked it. Has anyone driven to Chartres or does anyone know where one can park there?
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
Have you considered renting your car in Chartres? That is what we did several years ago. Rented through Hertz which was at the end of town where we needed to drive out. Parking was fairly tight in the city center--we parked on the street to load luggage from our hotel. There are some quiet residential areas not far from the cathedral that may have parking. Don't remember any parking decks but then again we weren't looking for them. It is very much a walking city.
Posted by
OP
Collierville, Tennessee, USA
517 posts
Picking up the car in Chartres is a good idea. I will check on that.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
If you're staying the night, Hotel Chatelet (recommended in Rick's book) has ample parking. Otherwise, I can't recall seeing much in the way of public parking, although because I had my car parked at the hotel, I wasn't looking.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
251 posts
I have driven to Chartres and found it to be like any other smallish French town. I don't remember where I parked, but I never have problems finding parking in France just look for the international P sign. I am sure there will be several options especially since you will be there in January. I would reccomend picking up your car in Chartres rather than Paris. If you haven't driven in France before Paris is not the easiest option to pick-up car. (Chartres is about 1 hr from Paris by train, and leave several times all day and night from Gare Montparnasse).
There are several reasons to rent a car rather than train, if it is timing keep in mind that trains from Paris to Chartres, and Pontorson (the train nearest M.S.M.) all run several times a day. The bus from Pontorson to MSM also runs several times a day and costs about 1E or so. Just a thought since, gas is expensive and those are some long distances you are trying to cover in the car. (P.S. If you are in the Rennes area on a Saturday, do not miss the Place de Lices market - my FAVORITE in France!)
I have to add, Chartres is a must not miss, it is one of the places that makes you want to fall to your knees and pray, regardless of belief. Since you are going in winter, if you are very lucky they might not have the chairs covering the labryinth.