France is one of the top tourist destinations of the world.
The most important city in this country from the touristic angle is perhaps Paris.
The Eiffel Tower and its fashion shows have made Paris famous.
It is the center of art, the setting for a thousand movies, the home of Mona Lisa in the Louvre and romantic lunches on sidewalk cafes.
It is also the perfect place to practice your French.
Let us peek at one of the charming towns at a proximity to Paris, which you should definitely not miss when in France.
Chartres: Overview Chartres is located almost a hundred kilometers to the southwest of Paris.
It is famous for Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Chartres.
It is the perfect example of a Gothic cathedral.
People come to see the brilliant blue stained glass windows of the Cathedral and its ancient relics.
One of the revered relics to be found here is the Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) which people say was worn by the Virgin Mary when she was giving birth to the baby Jesus.
The other famous thing about Chartres is the annual pilgrimage walk of about a hundred kilometers from Notre-Dame de Paris to Notre-Dame de Chartres.
Thousands of pilgrims participate in this walk every year.
People also come to see the beautiful bridges over the three branches of the Eure River.
Chartres is built on the left bank of the Eure River.
Things to do in Chartres:

• Chartres is a pilgrimage destination, so all the activities that go on in and around Chartres are linked to churches and ancient remains of fortresses.
  The first place to visit is the Crypt.
  It is the biggest crypt in France.
  It was built in the year 1024.
  Thirty minute guided tours are available throughout the year.
  These are conducted in French but a written translation in English is made available to visitors.
  
• Clocher Neuf or the North Tower is a steep climb over a stairway, which leads to the picturesque Gothic spire.
  The construction dates back to the sixteenth century.
  
• Eglise St-Pierre is another place to visit in Chartres.
  It used to be a monastery.
  The bell tower was used by the monks for refuge during attacks by marauders.
  The basic church is as old as the eighth century.
  The church has attractive remnants in the apse, nave, and clerestory windows.
  
• Collegiale St-Andreis the shell of a twelfth century church, which was closed down as early as 1791.
  It has suffered damage both in the nineteenth century and in the Second World War in the twentieth century.
  Still the remains evoke pious thoughts in visitors to this ancient church.
  
• Cathedrale De Chartres: This cathedral has been honored with the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site, which describes well the importance of this building in the history of mankind.
  Based in 16 cloitre Notre-Dame, this cathedral is famous for its architectural style and highly influential Gothic art.
  
• La Masion Picassiette: This beautiful piece of architecture, which includes a house and a garden, covered with intricate mosaic work, was built in between 1938 and 1964.
  A middle-aged manual worker - Raymonde Isidore, built it.
  There are many speculations about why this man built such a wonder of beauty.
  However, no one knows the real story.
  This place is a big hit among the tourists and attracts as many as 30,000 tourists per year.
  

With so much to see and do in Chartres, shouldn't you include this place in your itinerary?