Versailles & Chartres

The cathedral closes either at seven or half past. You can see it in an hour. If you know anything about it, you can't see it in half a day.

I think the trains back into Paris run untill at least nine.

You can enter the cathedral at six, have supper afterwards, and still make it back to Paris. The metro will still be running.

I have no idea how long a train takes to get from Versailles to Chartres.

I asked the same question a couple of months ago before our trip in May. Having been there, I would not advise trying to do both in one day. For me the Chartres Cathedral was a place to linger. It's pleasant town, and if you stay overnight you can see the Chartres en Lumieres. http://www.chartresenlumieres.com/ This is a nighttime display where they project colored lights onto monuments,not just lights but a sort of montage that tells a story. It's all set to classical music and very cool. Chartres is a city that tries harder to get you to stay overnight, we were really glad we did.

You probably don't have the time in your itinerary but I just had to share that.

Versailles is great, will be crowded which does not make for a quick visit. Rick said and hour and a half in the main palace and we took two and a half to three because we went on a Sunday (don't do that) and it was really crowded. You do not want to have to rush either one. I have been to Versailles twice and both times by the time we were done with the main palace we were too tired for anything else. Crowds are exhausting!

I would not rush Versailles. there is a lot to see and enjoy including the gardens. Chartres cathedraal is nice however I would not rush Versailles for it.An overnite in Chartres is a good sugg for the sound and light.

Hello Patricia,
Yes, you can do both in one day. However, I'm a big follower of the slow travel movement, so I tend to agree with the others' comments. While in France in May, we hit Versailles on day 2 (all day, mostly in the gardens). At the end of the month (same trip), we returned to Paris, and decided to head back to Versailles for the day via Chartres. We took the train first thing and saw the cathedral (we spent about 2 hours in the cathedral), walked around the corner into the Chartres Market, bought some supplies, and jumped the train to Versailles. Since we were there about 3 weeks earlier, we didn't linger in the Chateau, but headed straight for the gardens. We set up a picnic on a bench in the Gardens with a view of Marie Antoinette's village (spectacular), then spent the rest of the day roaming the gardens, fountains, canals, etc. So, you can do it, but I would feel rushed if I hadn't already seen the chateau earlier on the trip. A picnic in the Versailles gardens can't be beat, though.

You absolutely can do both in one day. The question that only you can answer is do you want to? It makes for a long day and you won't be able to linger at either place. But if you just want to see both and have limited time, it's very doable. I've done it but without the tour of the chateau.

I'd recommend doing Chartres first since getting there and back is tied to train schedules. Allow 3-4 hours total time. The return train stops in Versailles and it's about a 20 minute walk from the station to the chateau. Then you'd have as much time to spend at Versailles as you see fit. Take the RER C back to Paris when you're exhausted.

I've never been to Versailles so I can't speak to that, but if you're pressed for time, a visit to Chartres Cathedral can take as little as an hour. You can see the cathedral from the train station so there's no guessing how to get there.

Thank you all for your thoughtful advice! Best of travels to you all!

There is a difference between doing a cathedral and visiting it. This one in particular is so intricate and complicated that it takes more than an hour. The last time I was there I went on a tour led by an Englishman who has spent his life studying this cathedral. It's a milestone in architecture and art history by which most other cathedrals are compared. By all means, stay over and catch the sound and light show.