A Travel Price Comparison for France Versailles vs. Chartres for Attractions, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Versailles or Chartres?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Versailles or Chartres, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Versailles

Versailles is a ornate, opulent, and historic palace. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums.

Chartres

Chartres is a historic, grand, and spectacular town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Versailles and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Versailles or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Versailles. Although Versailles and Chartres are popular destinations, Versailles has more sights and attractions for tourists. Versailles is very popular for its museums and impressive beauty, while Chartres attracts visitors for its food and small town charm. Versailles is more touristy than Chartres and is known for its long running history and its grand architecture. It is also well known for The Palace of Versailles, including its famous Hall of Mirrors (Galeries des Glaces) and expansive gardens. Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Versailles different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Versailles is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Versailles are world-renowned. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

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 Versailles or Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chartres is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Versailles or Chartres Better for Families?

Chartres is adequate for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Versailles or Chartres Better for Couples?

Versailles is great for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Versailles is a great palace if you're traveling as a couple. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

Chartres is a good palace 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 Versailles or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chartres is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Versailles and Chartres both offer very good public transit to get you around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Versailles. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

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.

Is Versailles or Chartres a more walkable city?

Versailles and Chartres are very good when it comes to walkability.

Versailles is very walkable. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Versailles?

How long in Versailles or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Versailles 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 Versailles. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chartres than Versailles 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 Versailles or Chartres?

The beautiful palace of Versailles offers museums. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and food around the spectacular town of Chartres, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chartres, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Versailles or Chartres?

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

With food and museums around the destination of Chartres, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Versailles or Chartres?

Versailles is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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.

Chartres, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Versailles or Chartres?

Versailles is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This palace offers something for everyone.

Chartres is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Versailles and Chartres, we can see that Versailles 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 Versailles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Versailles 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 Versailles Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Versailles or Chartres?

Versailles has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Versailles 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 Versailles 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 Versailles or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Versailles are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Versailles is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Versailles in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Chartres. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Versailles. Versailles usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres during summer. Versailles gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Versailles usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chartres. Versailles gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Versailles or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Versailles during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Versailles for the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town atmosphere.

In October, Versailles is generally around the same temperature as Chartres. Daily temperatures in Versailles average around 13°C (56°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

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

Versailles usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Versailles gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Versailles or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Versailles and Chartres. The winter months attract visitors to Versailles because of the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chartres in the winter. The weather in Versailles can be very cold. Versailles is around the same temperature as Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Versailles averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Versailles usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chartres during winter. Versailles gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Versailles or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Versailles as well as Chartres. The natural beauty are the main draw to Versailles this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm.

In the spring, Versailles is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Versailles in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Chartres averages at about 11°C (52°F).

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

Versailles usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Chartres. Versailles gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Versailles