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Chartres
Chartres is possible to visit in a day. Betsy sends along this
information: The trip takes about an hour. The train from Montparnasse
station. If you only have an afternoon, take the 12:30 p.m. train and
arrive at 1:31 p.m.; the !:15 p.m. train arrives at 2:20 p.m.; the 2
p.m. train arrives at 3:10 p.m.
The return
times that she suggests are: Leave Chartres SNCF station at 5:50 p.m.
and arrive Montparnasse station at 7:01 p.m.; the 6:22 p.m. train
arrives at 7:24 p.m. and the 6:45 p.m. train arrives at 7:55 p.m.
For more
up-to-date train information, visit the
SNCF/Ter (English)
website. Thirty-three trains per day link Chartres and the train station
Paris-Montparnasse.
For a detailed
map of the area and streets the
city of
Chartres has a website in French. Scroll down and click on "Plan de
la ville" which will download a map.
One idea for
capturing the map is to find your area. Print the screen (press
Alt and press PrtSc) and save it to a word document and print.
Synopsis of trips
I have taken
the following information from the Paris Ile-de-France website. I know
many of Colleen's Paris readers have already made these journeys.
For reference
I will pass on their comments when possible. Be sure to send in yours!!
The royal towns around Paris
Young would-be
knights and wide-eyed grown-ups alike are invited to venture out for one
excursion or several, over an afternoon or over a weekend, to discover
the royal history of Paris and the surrounding region—the land of kings,
princes and great lords.
The 13th
century fortified castle at Dourdan, which dates from the days of
Philippe-Auguste, provides an idea of what life was like in the Middle
Ages. As does the château at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, which is now a
museum of national art treasures but over time lodged several of
France’s kings.
This was before the Sun King commissioned the construction of the
château at Versailles, the luxury of which would surpass that of rival
palace Vaux-le-Vicomte. Marly le Roi and its château were the exclusive
realm of the king and his close associates. On view in one of the areas
used for feasts and amusements is the mechanism that controlled the
dancing fountains, an impressive technological innovation for the era.
Now a property of the State, it is used as a residence for the President
of the Republic, as is Rambouillet, a château that bears Bonaparte’s
signature modern style. Louis XIV also commissioned Fontainebleau, the
city that surrounds the hunting palace where Napoleon the First
inaugurated his throne room.
The royal fortress of Vincennes, which is also the oldest, was built on
the eve of the 100 Years War and can be reached by taking the Metro to
the edge of Paris. Etampes, designed by the Capetian Robert-le-Pieux,
was initially the place where warrior princes rested and later became
the country residence of royal mistresses. Eternal repose was the domain
of Saint-Denis, which is the final resting place of many whose lives
shaped the destiny of this region and of France.--Paris Île-de-France
2005
Dourdan
Dourdan is a
former royal town, and the symbol of that royal past. The fortress built
in the 13th century by Philippe Auguste still stands proudly in the very
heart of the old town.
My experience
with this town, was a great restaurant!
Restaurant: Auberge de l’Angélus, 4 place
Chariot (01 64 59 83 72)
Closed August
11 to September 4 (check the dates), Monday nights, Tuesday night and
Wednesday; vacation in February
We were
traveling to Bretagne along the highway and chose this as our lunch
spot. Reservations are necessary and you will not be disappointed.
Getting there:
Étampes
Coiled at the
foot of an ancient 12th-century royal keep, the Tour Guinette, this
small town is sprinkled with gothic sanctuaries and rich with numerous
Renaissance mansions which recall the prosperity brought by the grain
trade. It richly deserves its nickname 'little town of art'; criss-crossed
by many rivers, it's also frequently dubbed 'little Venice'.
The royal
towns around Paris
Young would-be
knights and wide-eyed grown-ups alike are invited to venture out for one
excursion or several, over an afternoon or over a weekend, to discover
the royal history of Paris and the surrounding region—the land of kings,
princes and great lords.
Fontainebleau
A royal town
and favourite place for visitors, Fontainebleau was laid out by Louis
xiv between his palace and the forest and has been welcoming the great
and the good for centuries. Today the palace the "House of the
Centuries" and its parks are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Getting
there: Gare de Lyon to Gare de Fontainebleau Avon (direction Gare de
Montargis) 7,50 euros one way, 35 minutes
Marly-le-Roi
Though the
village has been in existence since the 7th century, Marly really hit
the big time when Louis XIV decided to build a country residence here -
something a little cosier than his home at Versailles. Built to a design
by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, it was the setting for a large number of
royal festivities. The village itself is a harmonious balance of
prestigious buildings and green spaces.
Rambouillet
We drove
here, which I do not recommend because it is faster by train!
A former royal
residence, the château and the delightful surrounding forest which is
ideal for walking continue to attract rulers of the country: today the
site is a presidential residence for the French Republic. Rambouillet
also has unusual museums to offer: the Bergerie Nationale where you can
learn all about merino sheep, and the Musée du Rambolitrain, covering
all aspects of the rail network between 1920 and 1950.
Open: April 1 to September 30 : 10 a.m. to 11 :40 a.m.
and 2 p.m. to 5 :30 p.m.
October 1 to March 31: 10 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. and 2 p.m.
to 4:30 p.m.
Closed: Tuesday and during presidential holidays, January
1, May 1, November 1 and 11 and December 25.
Entrance: Adults: 6,10 euros
18 – 25: 4,10 euros
Under 18: free
Information: 01 34 83 00 25
Getting there: Gare Montparnasse to Gare de
Rambouillet, direction Gare de Chartres 6,60 euros one-say, 35 minutes
Saint-Denis
At
Saint-Denis, a historical town, you can visit the basilica, one of the
strongest symbols of the monarchy. Built in the 12th century at the
behest of abbé Suger, it embodies the main principles of Gothic art and
contains the world's largest collection of funerary sculpture. Not far
from here, the Carmelite convent where Louise de France, the daughter of
Louis XIV, once dwelled, now houses the museum of art and history. This
17th century building now presents over 600 objects discovered during
archaeological excavations, a superb apothecary, a unique collection
relating to the Commune de Paris as well as exhibits about Paul Eluard...
Visitors should not miss the magnificent chapel by Richard Mique.
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Dear to the
heart of countless kings of France, from Louis CV to Louis XIV,
Saint-Germain en Laye cherishes the heritage they have left: its
chateau-musuem including the Grande Terrasse which overlooks the Seine
valley, its 17th and 18th century mansions lining the streets of the
town.
Versailles
Versailles is
a town devoted entirely to the cult of beauty, in the name of the will
of one man, Louis XIV, the Sun King. His château, one of the most
illustrious world heritage monuments, is a unique masterpiece that
people never tire of visiting.
Vincennes
Vincennes owes
its experience to Louis XII who adopted the forest of that name as his
favourite hunting territory. The original rudimentary hunting lodge
became a fine country manor under Saint Louis. |
May 2008
