Your stay — Hôtel Métropole
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Chartres.
The Property — Hôtel Métropole
Hôtel Métropole is a straightforward, mid-range base right opposite Chartres station, so you can drop bags and be at the cathedral in under ten minutes. The lobby is compact, with polished parquet and a classic French hotel desk, but the real draw is the direct train link to Paris. It suits travellers who prioritise location and efficiency over character—clean, quiet rooms, a decent buffet breakfast, and no fuss.
Chronicles of Chartres
Chartres grew from a Gallo-Roman settlement, Autricum, and became a major medieval pilgrimage centre thanks to its cathedral, which houses the Sancta Camisa—the tunic believed worn by the Virgin Mary. The cathedral, rebuilt after a 1194 fire, is a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture, famed for its mismatched spires and 176 surviving stained-glass windows. The old town, with its timber-framed houses and winding streets, survived both world wars largely intact. Today Chartres balances its UNESCO-listed heritage with a lively market scene and a strong commitment to restoring its medieval centre.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chartres guide →Best months
May, June and September—warm, sunny days before the summer crowds peak, and the cathedral's light shows are in full swing.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the busiest, driven by European holidays and the Chartres en Lumières light festival (mid-April to mid-October). Hotel prices rise 30–50% above off-peak, and the cathedral queues lengthen. The Chartres jazz festival in July adds extra buzz.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer discounted rates, cooler weather (10–16°C), and far thinner crowds. The light show still runs in April, and autumn foliage colours the old town.
Weather & packing
Chartres has a temperate oceanic climate, but can be surprisingly chilly even in July—a light jacket or cardigan is essential for evenings. Always pack a waterproof layer: the city averages 12 rainy days in July.
Live City Briefing — Chartres
- The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres is undergoing a major restoration of its north façade, with scaffolding and some viewing restrictions on that side through 2026.
- A new cycle lane along the Eure river has opened, connecting the train station to the old town—ideal for avoiding summer traffic.
- Chartres en Lumières runs until mid-October; check the city's website for nightly projection schedules on the cathedral and 23 other monuments.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hôtel Métropole, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the rear of the building (facing the inner courtyard). These floors are above street level but below any potential roof-access noise, and the courtyard side blocks most of the traffic hum from Rue du Bourgneuf.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those overlooking Rue du Bourgneuf. The street is narrow and gets delivery trucks and early-morning traffic; ground level also picks up foot traffic and lobby noise. Also avoid rooms directly above the lift shaft (you can hear the motor and cable rumble).
Best views
The rear courtyard view gives a peaceful outlook over the old town's rooftops and gardens. Rue du Bourgneuf is a narrow medieval street — interesting but not scenic; a rear-facing room is the better bet.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest — high enough to be above street-level clatter, but not near any roof plant or service areas. If the hotel has a 4th floor, it may be quieter still (check with reception).
🔊 Noise notes
Rue du Bourgneuf is one-way and gets morning delivery vans, rubbish collection, and occasional motorbikes. The hotel entrance shares the street, so expect door buzz and bell noise. The lift is central and can transmit hum to adjacent rooms, especially on floor 1.
Insider tips
1. If you're driving, ask the hotel about the nearby 'Parking du Bourgneuf' — it's a paying lot but cheaper than street parking. 2. Request a courtyard-facing room during booking; it's worth the ask because Chartres is quiet after 9pm, but the street side can have early-morning garbage trucks.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hôtel Métropole
Free unlimited Wi-Fi throughout. Speeds around 20 Mbps download. No login required – just accept terms on splash page.
Small lift serves all three floors (ground, first, second). No stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand or physical papers provided. The building is a converted 19th-century townhouse with original stone staircase.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 09:00. Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs €15 (subject to availability).
Free storage in locked luggage room for same-day arrivals/departures.
No step-free access – two steps up at main entrance. Lift is narrow (wheelchair may not fit). No adapted rooms or bathrooms. Ground-floor room available on request but not fully accessible.
No on-site parking. Closest public car park: Parking Cathédrale (3 min walk), €12 per night (24h). No EV charging at hotel or nearby public chargers within 200m.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per person per night (mandatory, paid on arrival)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates require credit card guarantee. A €50 incidental hold placed at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Cathédrale Notre-Dame (159 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Église Saint-André (328 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Église Saint-Aignan (458 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Brèche (527 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Jardins de l'Évéché — 151 m · ~2 min walk
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Chartres — 200 m · ~3 min walk
Théatre Portail Sud — 134 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 817 m · ~10 min walk
Pharmacie Desprez — 377 m · ~5 min walk
day by day — 241 m · ~3 min walk
Chartres — 837 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
ATMs in Chartres city centre offer decent rates; avoid exchange desks at tourist sites and banks with poor spreads.
Visa and Mastercard accepted widely in shops, restaurants and cafés; contactless works for most transactions under €50; American Express less common.
Not expected; rounding up the bill or leaving small change (5%) is polite but optional. Taxis and hotel porters are fine with a euro or two.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →An espresso at a standard café is about €1.50–€2.00; takeaway filter coffee often €1.20.
Formule du jour (set lunch) at a bistro or brasserie for around €12–€15.
Main course in a neighbourhood restaurant (e.g., a plat du jour) for €14–€18.
Kebabs, crêpes, and sandwiches near the cathedral and the covered market (Marché de la Cathédrale) on Saturday mornings.
Leclerc, Carrefour Market, and Lidl are the main budget supermarkets in the Chartres area.
High-street chains in the Centre Commercial Chartres / Les Halles area; a Monoprix for basics; occasional second-hand shops near the cathedral.
A single bus ticket within Chartres is about €1.50; a day pass (Filibus) around €3.50. From Paris airports, take the SNCF TER train from Gare Montparnasse for about €16–€20, much cheaper than direct shuttle buses.
Eat lunch at the covered market (Marché de la Cathédrale, Sat morning) for fresh, cheap produce; buy a combined museum pass if visiting several sites; carry a refillable water bottle — public fountains are common.
Good to know — Chartres
Type C/E · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Chartres, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hôtel Métropole
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 817 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Desprez — 377 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Chartres station (Gare de Chartres) → Le Boeuf Couronné (arrêt Châtelet)
💡 Not needed unless you have heavy luggage – the hotel is a 7-min flat walk from the station along Rue de la Poissonnerie. Bus routes are simple; buy tickets at the driver or via the Filibus app (€1.40 single). Avoid line 6; it circles the suburbs, not the centre.
Paris (Bercy Seine or La Défense) → Chartres bus stop (near train station)
💡 Cheapest option from Paris, but avoid it from CDG – no direct bus from the airport. Take the RER B to Paris first. FlixBus drops off at the train station; from there it’s a 7-minute walk through the old town to the hotel.
CDG Airport → Le Boeuf Couronné, 15 Place Châtelet, Chartres
💡 Book a fixed-price transfer via G7 or Uber for €150–€180; avoid metered taxis which surge at peak times. The hotel can arrange a local driver for a similar rate.
Paris Montparnasse station (via RER B from CDG) → Chartres station (0.5 km walk to Le Boeuf Couronné)
💡 From CDG, take RER B to Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame (€11, 50 mins), then change to RER C to Montparnasse or walk 10 mins. Snap a direct TER from Montparnasse (Gare Montparnasse Vaugirard) – avoid intercités; they’re slower and pricier. Book early on SNCF Connect for €25–€35.
About Chartres
Wikipedia ↗
Chartres (French pronunciation: [ʃaʁtʁ] ) is the prefecture of the Eure-et-Loir department in the Centre-Val de Loire region in France. It is located about 90 km (56 mi) southwest of Paris. As of 2023, there were 171,665 inhabitants in the metropolitan area of Chartres (as defined by the INSEE), 38,...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hôtel Métropole?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the rear of the building (facing the inner courtyard). These floors are above street level but below any potential roof-access noise, and the courtyard side blocks most of the traffic hum from Rue du Bourgneuf.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hôtel Métropole?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those overlooking Rue du Bourgneuf. The street is narrow and gets delivery trucks and early-morning traffic; ground level also picks up foot traffic and lobby noise. Also avoid rooms directly above the lift shaft (you can hear the motor and cable rumble).
Is Hôtel Métropole noisy?
Rue du Bourgneuf is one-way and gets morning delivery vans, rubbish collection, and occasional motorbikes. The hotel entrance shares the street, so expect door buzz and bell noise. The lift is central and can transmit hum to adjacent rooms, especially on floor 1.
Which rooms have the best views at Hôtel Métropole?
The rear courtyard view gives a peaceful outlook over the old town's rooftops and gardens. Rue du Bourgneuf is a narrow medieval street — interesting but not scenic; a rear-facing room is the better bet.
What are insider tips for staying at Hôtel Métropole?
1. If you're driving, ask the hotel about the nearby 'Parking du Bourgneuf' — it's a paying lot but cheaper than street parking. 2. Request a courtyard-facing room during booking; it's worth the ask because Chartres is quiet after 9pm, but the street side can have early-morning garbage trucks.
What time is check-in at Hôtel Métropole?
Check-in at Hôtel Métropole is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hôtel Métropole have Wi-Fi?
Free unlimited Wi-Fi throughout. Speeds around 20 Mbps download. No login required – just accept terms on splash page.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hôtel Métropole?
€1.50 per person per night (mandatory, paid on arrival)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hôtel Métropole?
Formule du jour (set lunch) at a bistro or brasserie for around €12–€15.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hôtel Métropole?
A single bus ticket within Chartres is about €1.50; a day pass (Filibus) around €3.50. From Paris airports, take the SNCF TER train from Gare Montparnasse for about €16–€20, much cheaper than direct shuttle buses.
When is the best time to visit Chartres?
May, June and September—warm, sunny days before the summer crowds peak, and the cathedral's light shows are in full swing.
Top Attractions in Chartres
💡 Visit around 11am on sunny days for the best light on the blue glass. Check the tourist office for occasional free guided tours in English.
💡 Free on the first Sunday of each month. Otherwise it's around €4. The building itself has fine views of the cathedral spire.
💡 The window depicting the Tree of Jesse is particularly vivid. Visit in the afternoon for best light. No fee to enter.
💡 The garden is small but well-kept. Combine with a walk along the nearby Eure river for free greenery.
💡 The entry fee is about €7. Go early in the morning to avoid crowds. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.