Things to Do in Chartres

They say this is one of the greatest achievements in the history of architecture. This exquisitely resolved building has housed the tunic (Sancta Camisia) of the Blessed Virgin Mary since the ninth century period - making it a leading pilgrimage center. It is a triumph of Gothic architecture. The highlights of this church are as follows:

•  The two flying buttresses
•  The mismatched West spires
•  The rose windows and the nine incredibly ornate Portals
•  A magnificent choir screen
•  A 16th-century agriculture clock
•  The labyrinth
•  The beautiful stained glass windows
•  The 105m bell tower, is that tallest still standing Romanesque steeple in the world

You can also climb the 350 steps stairs north tower, for a fee, but the view is totally worth it; access is from behind at the Cathedral  bookshop.

You may also enter the cathedral crypt for a fee but tours are guided only.

This fine arts Museum is located in the former Bishop palace; the building itself has been classified as a historical monument since 1906. The museum contains a rich collection of paintings, arms and armour, Charlemagne’s glass goblet, statue of Saint Paul, furniture and musical instruments.

This is one of the cities most popular sports bars. Rugby is usually the favourite but almost every other major sporting event can be celebrated here. The terrace is very nice during the summer.

This is a mosaic house. There are many stories in the world where some people just devote their lives to an entire project for no discernible reason. In this case Raymonde Isidore left behind a monument – a house and a garden made of murals of broken crockery, sculpture, and paintings. It’s not just crazy that he thought of doing it but that he’s achieved so much. It took him almost 26 years to complete this project.

The house itself is thin and long; it’s not very big. Every piece of art here is very delicately executed. The murals don’t just cover the walls, they also cover the furniture and the crockery. It is almost impossible to describe the place but just make sure to check out the following:

• The walls
• That two Chapels
• The black garden with a raised gothic tomb
• The courtyard

Around 30,000 people visit every year.

This center explores the culture of stained glass - including history, technique and even lessons. Most of the visits are combined with the tour of the cathedral – which is appropriate considering that the cathedral is only 50 m away. The main exhibit on permanent display is a collection of Renaissance stained-glass. You would also be fascinated by the stained-glass workshop. A visit here leaves you delighted not only thanks to the gorgeous art but also to the gorgeous building in which this exhibition is housed.

This historic church of Eglise St-Pierre became a parish church in 1803. The first church here was based in the seventh century; destroyed a number of times and successive assaults and fires, the current building was completed in early 14th century. The highlights of this church are:

• The arches on the north door
• The choir, the ambulatory, and the three Chapels
• The intricate flying buttresses
• The 13th and 14th century stained-glass

Initially used as a parish church during the feudal age, the building you’ll see today has also served as a military hospital and then even as a hay barn. In 1822 it was finally reopened as a place of worship. The highlights of the church are:

• Beautiful Renaissance stained-glass windows.
• The bell tower that looks like a castle tower.
• The wooden roof covered with 20th-century drawings.
• The triforium paintings and the pulpit.
• Various religious paintings and sculpture.
• The 17th century apse and windows.
• The gallery Organ.

It won’t take you long to cover this church but stepping inside is certainly worth it.

Agriculture, environment, and food, are the centerpoints of this museums exhibitions. The museum was conceptualized to showcase and preserve of the tools and relics of a changing agricultural society.  With about 50,000 visitors this is one of France’s more celebrated museums. Many educational workshops are held for both children and adults through out the year. Cinema is celebrated in January, Tractors Day is celebrated in June, and farm animals day in September. The presentations are extremely colourful so make sure to visit. There’s some pretty funky stuff. The highlights of the museum are as follows:

•  Agricultural machinery from 1800 to 1960 - this is made up of 3000 items covering machines, tools, books, and photographs.
•  The rotunda which took 18 months to me
•  A Steam engine
•  The first American tractors
•  A Merlin Harvester
•  Plows and treadmills

If you’re visiting, make sure to check on the bookshop.

CiteCreation members are modern frescoes artists. Their aim is to fill the walls of cultural and business spaces with color and magic. Here, in the Bel-Air quarter, they have created some truly a monumental fresco facades. The themes, such as perfumes and stained glass and agriculture, which were chosen by the residents of the building, represent various facets of the city. The buildings have been painted beautifully. Some of the people on the paintings are actually of the residents of the buildings themselves.

This isn’t a shop… it’s a museum. There aren’t many museums in the world that dedicate themselves exclusively the perfume bottles and the history of perfume, which makes this one very special. That is also a workshop where the essences of various perfumes are distilled and determined. Children and adults alike can participate in this workshop. The scents are intense, natural, and captivating.

Though only established in the 1980s, the Academy of beer bar is housed in a building from the 18th century. It is one of the most tourist friendly bars in the city. They say it’s open even when the rest of the town his dead. The atmosphere is super relaxed; this is not a party kind of place. Everybody is welcome though and everybody has a good time; there is a smokers area outside.

But you’re here for the Beer; and there are hundred and thirty types to keep you occupied. The beers are divided by country; it’s almost like being in the museum.

Classified as a historical monument in 1840, the current building was completed in the second half of the 12th-century. It’s actually built on the site of an ancient amphitheatre. Various times over the centuries the building has been destroyed by fire. In WWII, German troops book or the church and used it as a base of supplies. Today though, the colleges and their crypts have found a vocation as a center of cultural activities and exhibitions. Also this is the place where the St. Andrews fair was started.