A Travel Price Comparison for France Nice vs. Chartres for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Nice or Chartres?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nice and Chartres can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nice

Nice is a beautiful, opulent, and trendy seaside destination. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Nice and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Chartres?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nice than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nice is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Chartres is more popular for its museums & sights and small town charm. Nice is more touristy than Chartres and is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Also, Nice is famous for The Promenade des Anglais. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Nice different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nice or Chartres?

Chartres is a town with good options for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Nice or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nice 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, Nice is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

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 Nice or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Nice is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Nice is a world class party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Nice or Chartres Better for Resorts?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Chartres is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Nice is a great choice. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Chartres is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or Chartres Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Chartres is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Nice has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Chartres is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nice or Chartres Better for Beaches?

Nice is great for the beache. However, Chartres is not a beach destination.

Nice is considered a top beach destination. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Chartres is not a beach destination.

Is Nice or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

Nice is great for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Nice. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nice or Chartres?

Nice is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Nice is well-known for its shopping. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nice or Chartres Better for Families?

Nice is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Nice offers lots of family activities. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Nice or Chartres Better for Couples?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Nice makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

Chartres is a good seaside destination 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 Nice or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Nice and Chartres are notable destinations for backpackers.

Nice is a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Is Nice or Chartres Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Nice and Chartres offer excellent public transit options.

The public transit in Nice can get you around easily. There are both buses and trams.

Chartres offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Is Nice or Chartres a more walkable city?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Nice is a very easy seaside destination to get around on foot. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Nice Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Nice?

How long in Nice or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nice or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nice than Chartres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nice 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 Nice.

One day in Nice or Chartres?

The beautiful seaside destination of Nice offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Chartres. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Nice or Chartres?

Nice is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Chartres is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Nice or Chartres?

Nice is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nice, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and food around the grand destination of Chartres. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nice or Chartres?

Nice is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This seaside destination offers something for everyone.

The grand town of Chartres offers food and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, and The Best River Cruises in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Nice and Chartres, we can see that Nice is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Nice or Chartres?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Nice and Chartres, 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 Nice or Chartres?

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 Nice or Chartres in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nice as well as Chartres. Many travelers come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Nice is a little warmer than Chartres in the summer. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Nice usually gets less rain in July than Chartres. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Chartres in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Nice is a little warmer than Chartres. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nice in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Chartres averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite rainy in Nice. In October, Nice usually receives more rain than Chartres. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nice or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Nice during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nice for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Chartres because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Chartres can be very cold. In January, Nice is generally much warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 9°C (48°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Nice usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and Chartres. The spring months attract visitors to Nice because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the small town charm are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

Nice is a little warmer than Chartres in the spring. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In April, Nice usually receives more rain than Chartres. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Nice