A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Chartres for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Chartres?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Chartres. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Saint-Etienne and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Chartres?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint-Etienne than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint-Etienne is better known for its nightlife, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is more popular for its food and small town charm. Chartres is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past. Also, Saint-Etienne is famous for The Museum of Art and Industry.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Chartres?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Saint-Etienne and Chartres.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Chartres. 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.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chartres is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Chartres has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its evening party scene.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Most people don't head to Chartres specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are a few bars where you can grab a drink while you're in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Chartres Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for hiking. However, Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Chartres?

Saint-Etienne is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint-Etienne has some nice offerings. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Chartres Better for Families?

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

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

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 Saint-Etienne or Chartres Better for Couples?

Chartres is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chartres is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

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

Chartres is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Chartres can get you to some 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.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Chartres a more walkable city?

Chartres is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Chartres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint-Etienne or Chartres to fill your time. In our opinion, Chartres has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Chartres than Saint-Etienne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chartres than Saint-Etienne 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 Chartres.

One day in Saint-Etienne or Chartres?

The city of Saint-Etienne offers museums and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the grand destination of Chartres. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Chartres?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Chartres?

Saint-Etienne 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the historic destination of Chartres. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Chartres?

Saint-Etienne 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 city offers something for everyone.

You'll find museums and food around the town of Chartres. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint-Etienne and Chartres, we can see that Chartres 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Chartres?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Chartres?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Chartres in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Chartres. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during summer. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Chartres. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Saint-Etienne during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Etienne in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Chartres averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Chartres. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Chartres can be very cold during winter. Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during winter. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chartres. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Chartres. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Chartres in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in April than Chartres. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Saint-Etienne