From Paris, journey through the French countryside to Chartres, where soaring spires and medieval streets await. After admiring the cathedral’s famed stained glass, continue to the tranquil Chateau de Maintenon - an elegant castle wrapped in gardens and royal intrigue. A perfect day of Gothic grandeur and quiet Renaissance charm.
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
From €149
Private group ride
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€447
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Paris whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.
Discover more with local expertise
Your driver’s local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden café here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips you’ll love sharing later. This isn’t a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.
Explore at your own pace
After arriving in Chartres, you'll have the freedom to explore its cathedral and medieval streets at your own pace before continuing on to Chateau de Maintenon, where you can walk through the gardens and castle rooms. Throughout the day, your driver will stay close, available to help out, offer recommendations, or share local insights, before ensuring a comfortable return to Paris.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.
Good to know
Two-way private car transfer
Air-conditioned vehicle
Personalized pickup and drop-off
Professional English-speaking driver
Complimentary bottled water
Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions Chartres and Chateau de Maintenon should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From €149
Private group ride
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€447
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Paris
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Chartres
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 3 h 30 min - admission not included
Chartres is a jewel of medieval France, renowned for its soaring cathedral and charming cobblestone streets. Wander through the majestic cathedral, marveling at the world-famous stained glass windows as sunlight paints the interior in vivid colors. Explore the quaint streets, discovering hidden courtyards, historic squares, and cozy cafes along the way. The town’s peaceful ambiance and timeless beauty create a perfect setting for intimate moments and shared memories.
2
Chateau de Maintenon
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 2 h 30 min - admission not included
MondayClosed
Tuesday2:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday2:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday2:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday2:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Chateau de Maintenon is a graceful haven of elegance and romance, surrounded by manicured gardens and tranquil grounds. Stroll through its lush gardens, discovering hidden paths, fountains, and intimate corners perfect for quiet reflection. Inside, the castle’s richly decorated rooms and historic halls whisper stories of love, intrigue, and royal lives. From elegant salons to private chambers, each space invites visitors to imagine the romance of centuries past.
Back to Paris
We’ll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7
Daytrip is loved all around the world. Here's why.
Chartres Cathedral is considered the finest example of French Gothic architecture, renowned for its remarkably preserved 12th and 13th-century stained glass windows covering 2,600 square meters. During your 3.5-hour visit, you'll see the contrasting spires (one Gothic, one Romanesque), the intricate sculptures of the Royal Portal, and the famous labyrinth in the nave floor. The cathedral's 176 stained glass windows create a unique blue-tinted light that has inspired pilgrims and visitors for centuries.
Chateau de Maintenon offers a fascinating glimpse into French history as the home of Madame de Maintenon, King Louis XIV's second wife. During your 2.5-hour visit, explore the furnished castle rooms showcasing 17th-century living, admire the formal French gardens designed by Andre Le Nôtre, and see the remarkable unfinished aqueduct commissioned by Louis XIV to bring water to Versailles. The chateau provides a more intimate and less crowded historical experience than larger royal palaces.
Begin your 3.5-hour Chartres visit at the cathedral, allowing at least 90 minutes to appreciate the architecture, stained glass, and labyrinth. Consider hiring a local guide or using the cathedral's audio guide to understand the symbolic imagery. Afterward, explore the medieval old town with its half-timbered houses, particularly along the Eure River in the picturesque Quartier de la Basse Ville. The steep pedestrian streets offer charming shops and cafes perfect for a lunch break before continuing to Chateau de Maintenon.
If visiting between April and January, consider timing your day trip to include Chartres en Lumieres a spectacular light show where the cathedral and 24 monuments throughout the city are illuminated with colorful projections. The display runs nightly from nightfall until 1 AM (April-October) or midnight (October-January). Your Daytrip driver can adjust your schedule for an evening return if you wish to experience this magnificent free attraction.
Chartres is approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles) southwest of Paris, with a driving time of about 1 hour 15 minutes. Chateau de Maintenon is 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) further, adding about 25 minutes to the journey. The driving route takes you through the beautiful French countryside and agricultural landscapes of the Eure-et-Loir department. Your private Daytrip driver handles all transportation, allowing you to enjoy the scenery between destinations.
The Eure-et-Loir region offers several culinary specialties worth trying during your day trip. In Chartres, look for pate chartrain (game meat pate), mentchikoffs (chocolate-covered almonds), and the local beer produced by L'Eurelienne brewery. The area is also known for its Perche cider and poultry dishes. Several restaurants near the cathedral serve traditional regional cuisine, while the Chateau de Maintenon area offers quaint countryside eateries serving farm-to-table French dishes.
To maximize your day trip, arrive at Chartres early (around 9 AM) to experience the cathedral before tour groups arrive. Focus on the cathedral and old town during your 3.5-hour visit, perhaps including lunch at a local restaurant. At Chateau de Maintenon, take a guided tour of the interior (approximately 1 hour) and then explore the gardens and aqueduct independently during your remaining 1.5 hours. Your Daytrip driver can help coordinate timing between destinations.
Day trips offer travelers private round-trip transportation to popular sightseeing locations. One of our professional drivers will pick you up in a luxurious, climate-controlled car, take you to the site of interest, and wait for you while you explore before driving you back to your hotel.
Yes! You’re free to choose the pickup and drop-off times that work best for you. However, the time spent at the destination is fixed and cannot be changed.
Each sightseeing stop has a recommended duration that includes plenty of time to explore. However, it is possible to customize the time spent at each sightseeing stop at a later stage in the booking process to best fit your unique schedule.
Your Daytrip driver will wait for you nearby for the duration of your exploration, meaning you’ll never have to wait for your return trip transportation to arrive. Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities, and we aim to close out your day trip with a return on your schedule.
The price of a day trip does not include any entrance tickets, guided tours, or meals you may partake in at your destination. The price covers round-trip transportation in a luxury vehicle with a professional driver who can provide local insights en route.
Day trip bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before your trip for a full refund, no strings attached. While the destination and stops are predetermined, it is possible to change your pick-up point, whether it is at your hotel or some other location within the city.