Jill K H Geoffrion: Getting To Chartres

Getting To Chartres

The Rev. Jill K H Geoffrion, Ph.D.
Portrait © Marilyn Larsen

Chartres is EASY to get to--and the journey there is very enjoyable!

If you are even considering a visit to Chartres, let me encourage you, GO!
Chartres Train Station Sign
The information on this page is meant to help you relax and envision yourself traveling to Chartres.
If you have other suggestions that would aid those making the pilgrimage, please email Jill.

Chartres Cathedral from Train Station
©Timothy C. Geoffrion
Jill arriving at the Chartres train station.
(It's easy to find the cathedral!)

Taking the Train

Click here For full instructions and a sample (not up to date) schedule for trains from Paris to Chartres.

Taking Train To Chartres

When in Chartres, the ticket office in the train station is open M-F 8h45-19h30 and Saturday from 9h00 to 18h30. It is closed on Sundays.

You can pick up schedules for the train either in Paris at Gare Montparnasse or at the train station in Chartres.

Taking A Bus From Charles De Gualle Airport to Gare Montparnasse, Then Taking A Train To Chartres

This is so easy, I could do it in my sleep! It's a great option if you are eager to get to Chartres when you arrive in France.
Robert Ferré explains every step in wonderful detail. http://www.labyrinth-enterprises.com/gettingtochartres.html

Chartres Train Station as seem from the Cathedral tower.

A cheaper option is to take the RER into Paris, transfer to the metro and take it to Montparnasse where you can catch the train. You will need to buy one ticket (the same one works for both the RER and the metro). If you arrive at the airport with about 9 euros in coins (or a credit card with a french chip in it--American credit cards don't work in the machine), you won't have to wait in a long line. There are different ways to make the trip, depending on where you want to change from the RER to the metro; it's a matter of personal preference. I take the RER to the Denfert Rochereau exit. I then transfer to line 6 and take it to Montparnasse. It takes less than an hour.

Arranging For A Driver To Take You

The cost is around 200 euros (one way) from Charles de Gaulle airport to Chartres. It is about 120 kilometers (75 miles).

Robert Ferré lists 3 good options for Shuttle companies at http://www.labyrinth-enterprises.com/gettingtochartres.html.

When going back to the airport you can use a Chartres taxi, although I'm told it is very expensive.
Telephone: 02-37-36-00-00. From the US: 011-33-2-37-36-00-00.

Renting A Car

It is possible to rent a car at one of the Paris airports and drive to Chartres.

In 2010 Hertz had a 3-6-9 hour promotion to rent a car for 3, 6 or 9 hours. It is possible to pick a car up at the airport (we did it at Charles de Gaulle-Roissy) and drop it off in Chartres. 3 hours is doable. The cost of a small car was approximately 45 euros which allowed for 120 kilometers.If you want to make a detour, six hours (200 kilometers included) costs around 60-70 euros. Remember to budget for gas and tolls. You can find out more at www.hertz.fr or by calling 011 33 0825861861 from the US (+33 0825861861 from elsewhere).

I used www.mappy.com to get directions, as well as calculate gas and toll prices.

By Car

Chartres is 88 kilometers (55 miles) from Paris. It generally takes around an hour, but during heavy traffic times it can take much, much longer.

Road to Chartres, France

By motorway from Paris: A6 direction Bordeaux-Nantes, via Porte d'Orleans then A10 and A11 direction Nantes.

By road from Paris: RN10 direction Rambouillet, via the Porte de St. Cloud.

By road from other parts of France:
RN10 from Tours and South West France.
RN23 from Brittany.
RN154 from Rouen to Orléans.

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