Chartres Cathedral: An Exceptional Monument

An exceptional monument brought to life by passionate expert guides

As part of the international Aikido training seminar organised by Aïkido Dojo Luisantais, C’Chartres Tourisme is offering an exclusive guided tour for participants and their accompanying guests on Saturday, 12 December, during the break between training sessions (11:00 am–3:00 pm).

Chartres Cathedral was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as early as 1979. It was the first cathedral in the world to receive this recognition and one of the first French monuments to be listed. This is a testament to its truly unique character.

With your guide, you will discover what makes Chartres Cathedral so remarkable: the spiritual and cultural significance that has made it an iconic symbol of medieval civilisation; its exceptional unity, with its architecture, stained glass and sculptures completed within a single generation; and the authenticity of a place where its stories and symbols have survived almost entirely in their original form.

Particular attention will also be given to the restoration work carried out over the past ten years.

Practical information:

• Online booking is required
• Information: +33 (0)2 37 18 26 26
• Meeting point: 1 Rue Bethléem, 28000 Chartres, at the Maison du Tourisme, directly opposite Chartres Cathedral
• Tour duration: 1 hour
• Guided tour in French (€15), recommended for ages 13 and over
• Accessible to people with reduced mobility
• Tickets cannot be changed or refunded
• During the break between classes (11:30am-3:00pm)

Detailed schedule – organised in coordination with Aïkido Dojo Luisantais:

• 11:30 am: End of the first training session
• 12:00 pm: Bus departure from the Jean Bouin Sports Complex (Dojo)
• Guided tour: 1 hour
• For lunch: here is a list of bakeries close to the Cathedral:
  - La Pâtisserie de Chartres: 2 Bis Rue du Soleil d'Or
  - Duban: 31 Rue des Changes
  - Les Moulins La Fayette: 13 Place Châtelet – possibility of eating on site, with a dining area upstairs
• 2:00 pm: Bus departure back to the Dojo
• 2:30 pm: Arrival at the Jean Bouin Sports Complex (Dojo)
• 3:00 pm: Afternoon training session resumes