Races in Chartres

Located in the department of Eure-et-Loir, the City of Lights... and of perfume (yes, Grasse better watch out 🤣) has plenty to show you. For that, the best thing is to lace up your sneakers and set off to conquer the largest city in the department! And who knows, maybe one day Chartres will also become the "city of Running” 🤷‍♀️!

A bit of history before you tackle your Chartrain journey. This town used to be a Gallic tribe, that of the Carnutes (to be precise 🤓), and no, Asterix wasn’t part of it. In the Middle Ages it was a renowned center of intellectual and spiritual learning. Following the many wars and invasions (Hundred Years’ War, Wars of Religion, World Wars…), the town was completely destroyed, even if today you can still find many traces of the past. Well rebuilt, Chartres later also became the capital of perfume. If you want to know everything, it sits right at the heart of the “Silicon Cosmetic Valley”).

To soak up the city’s vibe and uncover all its secrets, nothing beats a little urban trail in the heart of Chartres. You’ll be able to discover around forty buildings such as the Saint-Pierre Church, the city fortifications, or the famous and majestic Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres (one of the most beautiful monuments in the country, it must be said 🇫🇷). After that, you can wander over to the Maison Picassiette, a place that clearly stands out from the ordinary (we won’t say more!), before heading to the Pinson Butcher’s and the Maison du Saumon, very old and well preserved, to admire their façades. We also suggest you roam the medieval streets of Old Chartres during your run. You’ll cross many little lanes with funny names and can take a close look at the local stars: the typical half-timbered houses lining the Eure. If you’re planning a future triathlon, why not swim along it 😂? Otherwise, take the small stone footbridges found all along it, just to add a bit of elevation gain to your training. We’ve been told a runner would be in the house! You can tell us which one you prefer between Place de la Poissonnerie, Place Jean Moulin, or Place Billard and its covered market? Impossible to talk about the City of Lights without mentioning art! Between the splendid stained-glass windows of its Cathedral and the famous “Chartres en Lumières” event, the city of Benjamin Nivet and Mireille Dumas is operating at a high level. But that’s not all! Lengthen your stride and make a stop at the Museum of Fine Arts as well as the International Stained Glass Centre, which will be a feast for your eyes. And if street art is your thing, don’t forget to take a detour to admire the Bel-Air murals, which are sure to impress.

A good Finisher who knows how to Run must know how to Run in the Centre-Val de Loire! And for that, Chartres is the right city to run! The race calendar in Chartres is well stocked. There’s something for everyone, with road races and trail races. The Chartres Half Marathon as well as the Cathedral Run will help you discover even more of the city, but you can also take part in the Trail in Chartres en Lumières. When there’s none left, there’s still more! To prepare for all these races, plan some great long runs around the Perche National Park, toward the Château de Maintenon, or near the Grottes du Foulon. If you can’t find what you’re looking for with that, there’s nothing more we can do... 😆 

We know you love to party, and apparently the people of Chartres do too. Every year, in addition to Chartres en Lumières, the Harpsichord Festivals and the Carré d’As Jeunes Talents are organized, so don’t hesitate to take part. Little foodie that you are, after your training you’ll surely want to fill up, and for that plenty of local specialties will be on offer. Here’s a menu that might suit you: as a starter, a slice of Chartres pâté with a Retrodor baguette, followed by a poule au pot. You can wash it down with a local beer called l’Eurélienne (in moderation!). For dessert, it’s up to you to choose between the Mentchikoff (no, it’s not a Russian dessert 🇷🇺), the Cochelin, or the Beauce shortbread. 

Come on Finisher, Chartres is waiting for you!