The small city of Chartres lies
80km southwest of Paris
and the hour-long train journey from Paris brings an immediate
reward the moment you approach, when you first see the city's
great cathedral rearing up above the River Eure.
Trains run roughly every two hours to Chartres
from Paris-Montparnasse (?21.34 return), with a journey time
of just under an hour. From the station, avenue J-de-Beauce leads
up to place Châtelet. Diagonally opposite, past all the
parked coaches, is rue Ste-Même, which meets place Jean-Moulin.
Turn left and you'll find the cathedral, and nearby, on place
de la Cathédrale, the tourist office (April-Sept Mon-Sat
9am-7pm, Sun 9.30am-5.30pm; Oct-March Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-1pm
& 2.30-4.30pm; tel 02.37.21.50.00).
OTHER POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN FRANCE