Chartres, the capital of light and perfume

Chartres, within easy reach of paris and the loire chateaux, enjoys international renown thanks to its cathedral, which is listed by unesco as a world heritage site.

chartres' churches and cathedral  The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Chartres, a sublime representation of 12th and 13th century art, is the most complete and best preserved Gothic cathedral. Built and embellished between 1134 and 1260, it was inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in 1979.  Saint-Aignan church - This very old church, rebuilt in the sixteenth century, has magnificent sixteenth and seventeenth century stained glass windows.  Saint-Lazare Church - This church, located in Lèves, was rebuilt after the Second World War, except for the bell tower. It is mainly remarkable for its moderne stained glass windows  Saint-Pierre Church - This former abbey church (eleventh-thirteenth centuries) is on of the finest gothic masterpieces.

The historic districts  Listed as one of the leading preserved sectors, the town covers 60 hectares and stretches down from the Cathedral (upper town) to the banks of the Eure (lower town). One of the most beautiful houses in Chartres can be found in the Place de la Poissonnerie, a mere stone’s throw from the Cathedral. It is known as the Maison du Saumon (also referred to as Maison de la Truie-qui-file - the House of the Spinning Sow).  The cobbled-stones of the rue des Ecuyers (the street of the Equeries) are lined with half-timbered houses, one of which is flanked by the remarkable 16th century Escalier de la Reine Berthe (the Queen Bertha Stairway).  On the other side of the Cathedral you will see the oldest house in Chartres, which dates back to the 12th century.  Hump-backed bridges, public wash-houses and water-mills are dotted along the walking route that follows the banks of the Eure. This specially created footpath offers exceptional views of the upper town.

Discover chartres from a small boat  Relax on the Eure with a 3 km trip in a pedalo, small boat or canoe in lush green and shady surroundings close to the cathedral and the town centre.

The house of picassiette  An extraordinary example of naïve art, this house – a strange, colourful, glittering mosaic –was completely decorated – inside and out - by its owner, Raymond Isidore, with mosaics made from pieces of broken crockery and bits of earthenware and porcelain. For nearly 25 years, Isidore decorated not only the walls of his house but also the floors, the ceilings and every object or piece of furniture inside.

chartres' museums  International Stained Glass Center - It reveals the secrets of stained glass windows, both old and contemporary, offers introductiory courses for children and adults, lecture-visits and a workshop open to the public.  Fine Arts Museum - Located in the former bishop's palace, it houses rich collections of old and modern art all year round, including works by Zurbaran, Chardin, Vlaminck and Soutine, an Oceanic collection and a set of Harpsichords from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.  Prehistory and Natural History Museum - Zoology (more than 200 specimens), botanic, local geology, mineralogy, palaeontology, local prehistory and entomology collections.  History Museum - A journey through history from Saint-Louis to the present day, through scenes featuring civil and military models, documents, arms, authentic objects.

Flight in a hot-air balloon  You will make your dreams come true aboard a hot-air balloon and enjoy an unforgettable trip over the Eure Valley and the Maintenon chateau and aqueduct. A marvellous way to discover the thrill of free flying in a hot-air balloon.

Illiers combray  A very old city, once surrounded by fortifications, where you can see the ruins of an 11th century chateau, built by the grandfather of Florent d'Illiers, the comrade-in-arms of Jeanne d'Arc. Its is a place of pilgrimage on the Saint-Jacques de Compostella trail and it is also the Combray of "A la recherche du temps perdu" (In search of Lost Time), a name that was attached to it for the Hundredth Anniversary of the birth of Marcel Proust.  Visit of: The house of Aunt Léonie and the Marcel Proust museum and the church of Saint-Jacques, reconstructed in the 15th century.  Tasting of a local speciality, Proust’s little Madeleine cake.