NEAR PARIS - France 2014 - page 336

parnasse details). Jot down return times to Paris before you exit the Chartres train station
(last train generally departs Chartres around 21:00).
Upon arrival in Chartres, head for the cathedral. Allow an hour to savor the church
on your own as you follow my self-guided tour. Then join the excellent cathedral tour led
by Malcolm Miller (1.25 hours; tours usually Mon-Sat at 12:00, some days also at 14:45).
Take another hour or two to wander the appealing old city. On Saturday mornings, a small
outdoor market sets up a few short blocks from the cathedral on Place Billard.
Orientation to Chartres
Tourist Information
AttheTI,pickuptheEnglishbrochurewithagoodmapandbasicinformationonthetown
and cathedral (Mon-Sat 9:30-18:30, Sun 9:30-17:30, in the historic Maison du Saumon
building,10RuedelaPoissonnerie,tel.[phone], www.chartres-tourisme.com ).The
TIhasspecificsoncathedraltourswithMalcolmMiller,andalsorentsaudioguidesforthe
old town (€5.50, €8.50/double set, about 2 hours). Skip the Chartres Pass, which is sold
here.
Arrival in Chartres
Exiting Chartres' train station, you'll see the spires of the cathedral dominating the town.
It's a five-minute walk up Avenue Jehan de Beauce to the cathedral (or you can take a taxi
for about €7).
Helpful Hints
Internet Access: For a computer and free Wi-Fi, head to the TI (described earlier), or try
the Wi-Fi signal at McDonald's (Place des Epars).
Laundry: The town has several launderettes. The most central is a few blocks from
the cathedral (by the TI) at 16a Place de la Poissonnerie (daily 10:00-13:00 &
14:00-18:00).
Taxi: If you need to call a taxi, try tel. [phone].