A Travel Price Comparison for France Chartres vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Backpackers

Should you visit Chartres or Aix-en-Provence?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Chartres or Aix-en-Provence? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Chartres

Chartres is a spectacular, historic, and grand town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a relaxing, historic, and vibrant town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Chartres and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chartres or Aix-en-Provence?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Aix-en-Provence. Although Chartres and Aix-en-Provence are both popular with visitors, Aix-en-Provence has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Aix-en-Provence is more popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is known for its small town charm. Chartres is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history. Aix-en-Provence is popular for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square. It is also home to .

How is Chartres different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aix-en-Provence and Chartres. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chartres or Aix-en-Provence?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Chartres and Aix-en-Provence.

Chartres offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Aix-en-Provence. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Is the Food Better in Chartres or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Aix-en-Provence is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Chartres or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Aix-en-Provence is adequate for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, Aix-en-Provence draws large crowds to its stores. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chartres or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Neither Chartres nor Aix-en-Provence are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

For families, Chartres is not always the best place to visit. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Aix-en-Provence is not the most family-friendly destination. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Chartres or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

Aix-en-Provence is great for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Aix-en-Provence is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Chartres is a good town for couples to visit. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Chartres or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Chartres and Aix-en-Provence are good places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Chartres. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

Aix-en-Provence is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Is Chartres or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

Aix-en-Provence is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Chartres is not popular with students.

Is Chartres or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chartres is well known for its public transit. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Chartres can get you to most places easily. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

While Aix-en-Provence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Is Chartres or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Chartres and Aix-en-Provence are very good when it comes to walkability.

Chartres is a very walkable town. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

Aix-en-Provence is a very walkable destination. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Chartres Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Chartres or Aix-en-Provence. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Aix-en-Provence due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Chartres, and 2-4 days is enough time in Aix-en-Provence.

Families should spend more time in Aix-en-Provence than Chartres. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Aix-en-Provence, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Aix-en-Provence than Chartres. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Aix-en-Provence that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aix-en-Provence than Chartres if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Aix-en-Provence.

One day in Chartres or Aix-en-Provence?

The grand destination of Chartres offers food and museums. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The beautiful town of Aix-en-Provence offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Chartres or Aix-en-Provence?

The town of Chartres offers museums and food. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Aix-en-Provence is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Aix-en-Provence, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Chartres or Aix-en-Provence?

Chartres is a great place to explore. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Aix-en-Provence is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Chartres or Aix-en-Provence?

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Chartres. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Aix-en-Provence is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, and The Best Luxury Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chartres and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Aix-en-Provence is more expensive. And not only is Chartres much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chartres would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chartres and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Aix-en-Provence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aix-en-Provence than you might in Chartres.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chartres Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Chartres and Aix-en-Provence, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Chartres or Aix-en-Provence?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Chartres or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Aix-en-Provence. Many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Aix-en-Provence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Chartres is cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chartres in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aix-en-Provence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In the summer, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 366 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets more rain in July than Aix-en-Provence. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Aix-en-Provence in the Autumn?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Chartres in the autumn for the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Chartres is generally cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 13°C (56°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Aix-en-Provence. Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during autumn. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chartres usually receives less rain than Aix-en-Provence. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chartres or Aix-en-Provence in the Winter?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Chartres during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Chartres can be very cold during winter. Chartres is cooler than Aix-en-Provence in the winter. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 150 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets more rain in January than Aix-en-Provence. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Aix-en-Provence in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Aix-en-Provence. The spring months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year.

In the spring, Chartres is cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chartres in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during spring. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chartres usually receives around the same amount of rain as Aix-en-Provence. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Chartres