Day 9 – Chartres

Massif Central Hot Springs  The Massif Central is a volcanic area, fortunately the valcanoes are sleeping and we hope they stay that way, but they show up at the many hot springs in the area. 

The rainy morning is up early, and so are we, since we have to pack everything a bit more thoroughly.  By this point in our journey, we no longer have the luxury of meandering off to wherever might look interesting, as we need to have the car back to Orly by nightfall.  And so it's back to the Autoroute and to Paris – with one last stop along the way:  Chartres.

We say farewell to the Volcano territory skirting Clermont-Ferrand and North of Orleans (of Jeanne d'Arc fame), we bear off to the northwest, through kilometers of newly-harvested wheat and corn fields, until the town of Chartres springs up in what looks to be the middle of nowhere.  It's a pleasant town with a nicely upscale shopping district (where we found a cafe with the brownie to beat all other brownies, ever), but it's clear that everything revolves around the Cathedral.  As well it should. More about Chartres and the Cathedral

To quote William Shatner, this is Big – Really Big – made even bigger by the lack of any other similarly scaled buildings nearby.  There are innumerable books showcasing its art and architecture, so there's not much that we could add by way of description.  What is most notable about the Cathedral, though, is the intent of its design – a massive statement that God and His Church are Big, Mighty and Important – and you're not. Not sure that's what God wants.  The famous Labyrinth of Chartres, the Dromenon, lies under the chairs except on one day a week and I hear they keep changing the day.  The center is in the aisle and walking over it I felt a rush of energy like a huge flame! So instead of Chartres pictures, we'll show you the streets of Chartres less often showcased. 

An interesting mixture of very old and very new.

The Parking garage was quite modern including the interesting wire cage elevator.  Underground and extensive, make sure you remember your aisle and parking space number!

 

Heading out of town, we discover that even the more modern temples of commerce can be Really Big, as we pick up dinner at a Carrefour hypermarche  that makes even the larger Walmarts and Targets back home look a bit tiny in comparison.  It should come with its own public transit system; the stock clerks understand this, as they maneuver around the store on roller skates.  Given the European penchant for small, compartmentalized shops, this was quite a shock.














We have one final task for Jeeves (or so we think): to get us to our hotel in the 14th Arrondissement so we can easily drop off our bags, then out to the airport.  But these clever French, they have thrown up an impenetrable defense around Paris – the evening rush hour!  A quick shift to Plan B sends us directly, if slowly, to Orly, where we bid a fond farewell to our Peugeot, which has carried us over 3000 km in economical, practical comfort..  If this model (with the diesel engine) ever becomes available in the States, we'd very seriously consider buying it.  Below is why people take the trans, metro and buses.  Going back into Metro Paris heading to Orly because it is clear we will not make it into Paris to our hotel and back to Orly on time. 

The shuttle bus takes us back into town, leaving us yet another mile-long uphill walk to our hotel, the Jardins d'Alesia.  Like so many smaller hotels, it's well-kept, but not very spacious, with a lift that will hold either two people, or one person and their baggage; unless you're on the high-budget plan, prepare to pack and travel lightly!  It's in a university / entertainment district with a very active nightlife, so we're pleased at how well the window seals out the street noises.

We're near the end of another long day, but not ready to end it just yet; the crepe stand back at the corner is just too inviting, and the chef is highly entertaining – cute too!- as he takes care of us and a quartet of Paris' finest.  (There are no Dunkin' Donuts here, but you know gendarmes...)  A Nutella / banana crepe, followed by a short walk in the evening mist, and back for lights out.  One more day together here.  Bonne nuit...

Yummy Nutella and Bananna.   I was surprised to find him open in the morning the last day and he made a ham and veggie crepe that was a wonderful brunch.