Chartres Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Chartres Cathedral. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Chartres Cathedral Private Car Tour (5h) Driver & Guide

• Discovering Medieval Wonder of Chartres Cathedral

• Chartres Cathedral—Transportation Private Trip

• Chartres and Versailles Private Full-day tour

• Versailles and Chartres Private Day Tour from Paris

Admission tickets for Chartres Cathedral cost €7 and grant access to the cathedral and the treasury. An additional €7 ticket is required to visit the towers, which are accessible only by guided tour. Children up to 18 years and EU/EEA citizens and residents up to 26 years can visit for free.

Yes, Chartres Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and largely regarded as one of France's most beautiful Gothic churches. Step inside to admire the 12th- and 13th-century architecture with its magnificent stained-glass windows, or climb the 200 steps up the bell tower for a panoramic view over the city. Tickets include an optional guided visit, but official tours are in French only, so it's worth booking an English-speaking guide to teach you about the cathedral's fascinating history and point out architectural details that are easy to miss otherwise.

Per one customer who booked the Private Guided Tour of Chartres Cathedral, "Veronique, our guide, was extraordinarily knowledgeable about the cathedral and the town. She's a native of Chartres and offered us fascinating details about the magnificent cathedral every step of the way. I felt I was back in art history class! You have no idea how much you would miss if you simply visited the cathedral without her rich knowledge and facts. If you get a chance to take this tour with Veronique, don't miss it!"

Chartres Cathedral is lauded as one of the best-preserved examples of Gothic architecture in France. Completed in the 13th century, the cathedral has stayed remarkably intact earning it UNESCO World Heritage Site status. It also has a vast collection of medieval sculptures, stunning stained-glass windows, and even a walking labyrinth.

Labyrinths were features of several Loire Valley cathedrals in the Middle Ages. Made of limestone and marble, the circular labyrinth of Chartres spans the cathedral’s spacious nave. Visitors are invited to stroll through it in silence while reflecting on their lives. A walk to the center of the geometric figure takes around 20 minutes.

Yes, in fact, Chartres Cathedral is one of the easiest day trips available from Paris. Simply hop on a direct train to Chartres at Gare Montparnasse station. (Trains depart hourly but buy tickets in advance.) The scenic ride takes over an hour, and you can see the cathedral from the window.

Mostly because they’ve withstood the ravages of centuries—not only general wear and tear, but also two world wars. The stained-glass windows inside Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres are known to be among the best-preserved of their kind, and they still dazzle with color, including the prized medieval pigment Cobalt Blue.

Yes, although the cathedral is free to enter, visiting with a guide acquaints you with the building’s history and lesser-known features. Many private tour operators offer full-day excursions to Chartres from Paris. Some itineraries also include a visit to Versailles, as it’s on the way to Chartres when coming by road.

Chartres is a stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, and Chartres Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres) contains relics related to the Virgin Mary that are revered by Christians around the world. These include the Holy Tunic, which she is believed to have worn while Jesus was born, and the Holy Veil.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Chartres Cathedral. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in the Loire Valley:

• Château de Chambord

• Amboise

• Château de Chenonceau

• Château d'Amboise

• Château de Cheverny

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in the Loire Valley