Chartres and Its Cathedral: 5-Hour Tour from Paris with Private Transport

Meet your guide at your Paris hotel, and learn about Chartres history as you make the 1-hour drive southwest to the 'Capital of Light and Perfume.' Start your private Chartres tour with the city’s most iconic landmark: the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Chartres is considered one of the world’s most stunning examples of Gothic architecture. Find some the the 4,000 sculptures that decorate the church, and follow biblical stories, kings and saints through 176 stained-glass windows.

Hear about centuries and myth and mystery that surround the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth, a 42-foot (13-meter) maze in the heart of the nave. Descend into the 11th-century crypt to find chapels, frescoes and ‘jamb statues,’ then take in the exterior of the church. Learn why the cathedral towers are built in different styles, see the 15th-century astronomical clock and get panoramic views of the old city from the Bishops Palace Garden.

After fully exploring the cathedral, take in the best of the historic Chartres, where you’ll find half-timbered houses from medieval times, picturesque foot bridges and tiny fishing boats along the Eure River. Follow narrow streets to pretty shops and cafes, and soak up the unique atmosphere of the center. Finish the day with a return trip to Paris and drop-off at your hotel.