For some, a day visit, or even a week or two-week pilgrimage isn't enough. For those who are going to stay longer, here is some information that I hope will be useful.

Apartments

The Chartres Tourist Office has a list of apartments that are available to rent for a week, a month, or longer. They can send you a brochure.

Books on Chartres and the Region of Beauce

Librarie
10, rue Noel-Ballay, Chartres

By the front door is a wonderful section of new and used books on Chartres and the Beauce Region.

Car Rentals

There are three agencies that rent cars in Chartres. The easiest to access is Hertz. It's a 15 minute walk from the train station. Avis advertises car rentals at the gare, but it's a ruse! When you arrive, the office that sells train tickets directs you to take a taxi (which costs more than 10 euros and you pay for--they  promise to reimburse--ask the taxi for a facture/receipt) which takes you to their office outside town. When you return the car to Avis, they will call a taxi (you pay again with a promise of seeing a reimbursement on your credit card) which will take you back to the gare.

To rent a car in France you will need a credit card for the "caution" (deposit) as well as the bill. You will also need a driver's lisence. If you don't speak French well, you may also want to have a an international driver's lisence (from AAA in US) which would help a French police office interpret your license. Your passport will be required by the car rental agency as well. They will want to see it and will copy information from it before renting you a car.

If you have insurance coverage at home you may not need insurance (assurance) in France as well. Check with your insurance company before you travel.

Always ask for specials (promotions). We have found that the weekend rate is often MUCH better than a daily fare. Also, internet rates are often better than what you can get in person. For instance, if you go into a Hertz office you will probably be offered limited mileage, but if you sign up on line, you are likely to get unlimited mileage.

Some agencies ask that you include a receipt for your gas with your paperwork when you return the car. You can ask for duplicate receipts at gas stations.

Hertz France
40 Boulevard Courtille 28000 Chartres
Telephone 02 37 28 66 06
http://www.hertz.fr
Hours: M-F 8-12; 2-6, Saturday: 9-12; 2-6, Sunday closed.
The best prices are on-line. To get them you need to book 48 hours in advance.

Avis Massoutre Location Concessionaire
9 rue Charles Colombus zone Aargo 28000 Chartres
Telephone 02 37 28 37 37 Fax: 02 27 30 70 73

Iveco
02 37 28 27 27

Use http://www.mappy.fr for directions. It shows you the route, tells you how long it will take, lets you know what your tolls will cost and even notifies you about locations of speed traps.

Cash Machines

They can be found across the street from the cathedral & Café Serpente, at Place des Halles, Place Pasteur, Place Sémard, and Place du Cygne.

General Information

Information about every aspect of the town can be accessed through this website in French. A map of the town which can be accessed through "decouvrir Chartres" by clicking on "plan de la ville."

Haircuts: Nouvelle Vague Coiffure

32, rue des Changes 28000 Chartres
Telephone: 02 37 21 05 00
Open Tuesdays through Saturday from 9h00 to 19h00

Close to the cathedral you can find Nouvelle Vague Coiffure Hair Salon. You can make an appointment or simply walk in and find out if there is an availability. My husband got a good hair cut here, and I got a terrible one--by the same person.

There are many other places around town for both women and men's haircuts. Many charge closer to 15 Euros.

Laundromat

There are at least three laundramats close to the center of town (one right next to the Maison de Saumon). They are open from early morning into the evening. They have washers of various sizes as well as dryers. In 2007 a regular load of clothes cost around E3,50. To dry them costs approximately E1,00. To locate the laundramat closest to where you are staying, inquire at the Toursit Office.

Library, Chartres Municipal Libraries

There are two main libraries in Chartres.

Bibliothèque André-Malraux
Rue au lin - 28 000 Chartres
Responsable : Catherine Joliet
Tél. standard : 02 37 23 42 00
Tél. multimédia : 02 37 23 42 07
Fax. : 02 37 23 42 15

Bibliothèque Louis-Aragon
Passage des poètes, Forum de la Madeleine - 28 000 Chartres
Responsable : Claire Valot
Tél. standard : 02 37 88 45 20
Tél. multimédia : 02 37 88 45 22
Fax. : 02 37 88 45 30

Contact information for all the libraries including email questions.

Information on the manuscripts in the library (most were lost in the fire of 1944).

Movie Theater : Multiplex Les Enfants du Paradis

08.92.68.13.65
13, Place de la Porte Saint-Michelle  28000 Chartres

Aux Enfants de Paradis (opened in 2008) movie theater is not too far from Place des Épars. They have at least eight movies showing. Look around town for posters with a large green rectangle. These will tell you what is showing and the show times.

To find out what is playing: http://www.cineclic.fr and enter Chartres in the box labeled "salle." Or do the same with www.allocine.fr.

You can also access daily information at http://www.allocine.fr/seance/salle_gen_csalle=P0128.html or http://www.cineclic.fr/fichecinema_l.cfm?ref=950.

Office Supplies

Librarie
10, rue Noel-Ballay, Chartres


In this store , you can find all the office supplies that you might need in the back (and to the left). They have paper, journals, folders, pen refills, you name it! The bookstore has a wonderful section of new and used books on Chartres and the Beauce which is right by the front door.

Protestant Church: Église Réformée de Chartres, Beauce, et Perche

Church: 20, rue St. Thomas 28000 Chartres
02 37 28 10 43

The French-language Sunday service is at 10h15 with a flowing liturgy and to the point biblical sermon. Be sure to take a song book in the back before finding a place to sit. The liturgy sheet is in the back of the hymnal (arc en ciel) as is a printed copy of the Lord's Prayer in French.

Protestant services (Radio Grand Ciel) can be heard at 106.8 in Chartres every Satuday at 4:00 pm and every Sunday at 3:30 pm.

Railway Information

Place Pierre-Sémard.
Information and reservations: Telephone 3635
Lost and found: Telephone 02 37 84 61 65

Services in the Cathedral

All the services for the week are listed (in French) on boards located near the north, south and west doors. You can check to see where services will be held (in the cathedral or in the crypt) as well as checking for special services.

You can also check on-line at http://www.diocese-chartres.com/cathedrale_site/offices.php

Taxis

Call 02 37 36 00 00. This is the taxi that is recommended by the tourist office. They have 26 taxis and will take people to the airport (for a hefty fee-be sure you understand the cost first!).
Place Pierre Sémard
Fax: 02 37 21 33 65