chartres cathedral english tour

Chartres Cathedral - Public guided tours in English

• Description

The emblematic Chartres Cathedral dominates the city. Discover the keys to this extraordinary masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Let yourself marvel at its proportions, that make it one of the most impressive cathedrals in all of France, and by its amazing series of 12th and 13th century stained-glass windows (the largest collection in the world). Your guide : Anne Marie Woods, originally from Chicago, is a professional tour guide and has been sharing her passion for the cathedral for over 11 years.

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Cathédrale de Chartres

• Description

A prestigious heritage site, listed at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the gems of 12th and 13th century art, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Chartres has always been testimony to the enthusiasm of pilgrims and visitors. Open, guided or audio-guided tours.

A key centre of Christianity in medieval Europe, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Chartres is an exceptional example of the religious art of the 12th and 13th centuries. Its nine sculpted doorways and 176 stained-glass windows, all in outstanding condition, provide a set of images like no other in the world, a reflection of the spiritual thinking and artistic expression of the times. Listed as World Heritage in 1979, Chartres Cathedral is a must-see example of Gothic architecture in France and...

A key centre of Christianity in medieval Europe, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Chartres is an exceptional example of the religious art of the 12th and 13th centuries. Its nine sculpted doorways and 176 stained-glass windows, all in outstanding condition, provide a set of images like no other in the world, a reflection of the spiritual thinking and artistic expression of the times. Listed as World Heritage in 1979, Chartres Cathedral is a must-see example of Gothic architecture in France and Europe. A key centre of Christianity in medieval Europe, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Chartres is an exceptional example of the religious art of the 12th and 13th centuries. Its nine sculpted doorways and 176 stained-glass windows, all in outstanding condition, provide a set of images like no other in the world, a reflection of the spiritual thinking and artistic expression of the times. Listed as World Heritage in 1979, Chartres Cathedral is a must-see example of Gothic architecture in France and Europe. https://boutique.chartres-tourisme.com/visites-guidees/cathedrale-de-chartres-un-monument-dexception

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• Monday 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
• Tuesday 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
• Wednesday 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
• Thursday 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
• Friday 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
• Saturday 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
• Sunday 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM
• * A prestigious heritage site, listed at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the gems of 12th and 13th century art, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Chartres has always been testimony to the enthusiasm of pilgrims and visitors. Open, guided or audio-guided tours.

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THE Gothic Cathedral.

No other church moves me like Chartres does.... The architecture, the sculptures, the stained glass:

they are all so UNIQUE and incredible. I bow down to the floor in respect and in awe to the hundreds of anonymous masons, sculptors and glass makers of the Chartres Cathedral who were able to make

all these wonders in the lapse of just one generation (25 years).

Like Rodin who considered the Cathedral of Chartres as "the Acropolis of France", this cathedral is to me the biggest and most fascinating open book of sculptures and stained glass of the Middle Ages ever written. Just to admire it on your own can elevate you to another dimension but, if you have someone who can tell you almost all the stories depicted on the sculptures of the doorways and on the stained glass inside, I swear it will make your day!

And the restoration works, even though they were controversial to some , are simply MAGNIFICENT (and I will of course explain to you why).

My enthusiastic visit of the cathedral itself will take at least two intensive hours (it all depends how much you can take). Just going to Chartres is totally worth the trip (we can do it in 5 to 6 hours round trip) but I highly recommend you make it a full day tour together with the chateau of Maintenon which is another incredible place.

Even though the stained glass of the cathedral is better looking in the morning, Chartres is beautiful at any time, even on a cloudy day; and if we go late in the afternoon, after the visit we can have an excellent dinner nearby (at a great price/value) and then we can go back to see the cathedral's light show (the show is free!) before we drive back to Paris! It's totally worthwhile seeing (check-out the pictures in the slideshow below). Your call...

Anyway, please make my day and let me make your day: please ask me to bring you to Chartres!

Warning : after visiting this cathedral, most cathedrals will inevitably seem a little dull...

Chartres cathedral

Radu Razvan/Shutterstock

Cathédrale Notre Dame

Top choice in Chartres

One of Western civilisation’s crowning architectural achievements, the 130m-long Cathédrale Notre Dame de Chartres is renowned for its brilliant-blue stained-glass windows and sacred holy veil. Built in the Gothic style during the first quarter of the 13th century to replace a Romanesque cathedral that had been devastated by fire – along with much of the town – in 1194, effective fundraising and donated labour meant construction took only 30 years, resulting in a high degree of architectural unity.

Today, it is France’s best-preserved medieval cathedral, having been spared post-medieval modifications, the ravages of war and the Reign of Terror.

The cathedral’s west, north and south entrances have superbly ornamented triple portals, but the west entrance, known as the Portail Royal , is the only one that predates the fire. Carved from 1145 to 1155, its superb statues, whose features are elongated in the Romanesque style, represent the glory of Christ in the centre, and the Nativity and the Ascension to the right and left, respectively. The structure’s other main Romanesque feature is the 105m-high Clocher Vieux , also called the Tour Sud (South Tower). Construction began in the 1140s; it remains the tallest Romanesque steeple still standing.

A visit to the 112m-high Clocher Neuf , also known as the Tour Nord (North Tower), is worth the ticket price and the climb up the long spiral stairway (350 steps). A 70m-high platform on the lacy flamboyant Gothic spire , built from 1507 to 1513 by Jehan de Beauce after an earlier wooden spire burned down, affords superb views of the three-tiered flying buttresses and the 19th-century copper roof, turned green by verdigris.

The cathedral’s 176 extraordinary stained-glass windows , almost all of which date back to the 13th century, form one of the most important ensembles of medieval stained glass in the world. The three most exquisite windows, dating from the mid-12th century, are in the wall above the west entrance and below the rose window. Survivors of the fire of 1194 (they were made some four decades before), the windows are revered for the depth and intensity of their tones, famously known as ‘Chartres blue’.

In Chartres since 876, the venerated Sainte Voile (Holy Veil) – a yellowish bolt of silk draped over a support, which is believed to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus – is displayed at the end of the cathedral’s north aisle behind the choir.

The cathedral’s 110m crypt , a tombless Romanesque structure built in 1024 around a 9th-century predecessor, is the largest in France. Thirty-minute tours in French (with a written English translation) start at the cathedral-run shop selling souvenirs, from April to October. At other times they begin at the shop below the Clocher Neuf in the cathedral.

Guided tours of the cathedral, in English, with Chartres experts Malcolm Miller or Anne Marie Woods, depart from the shop.

Multilingual audioguides cost €3.20 for Clocher Neuf and €4.20 for the cathedral, or €6.20 for both.

place de la Cathédrale

Get In Touch

https://www.cathedrale-chartres.org

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Climbing 350 steps up to the 112m-high Tour Nord (aka Clocher Neuf; New Bell Tower) of the Cathédrale Notre Dame is well worth it. A 70m-high platform on…

Portail Royal

The west, north and south entrances of the Cathédrale Notre Dame have superbly ornamented triple portals, but the west entrance, known as the Portail…

Cathédrale Notre Dame Crypt

The 100m crypt of Cathédrale Notre Dame, a tombless Romanesque structure built in 1024 around a 9th-century predecessor, is the largest in France. Tours…

Église St-Pierre

Flying buttresses hold up the 12th- and 13th-century Église St-Pierre. Once part of a Benedictine monastery founded in the 7th century, it was outside the…

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Chartres’ fine-arts museum, accessed via the gate next to Cathédrale Notre Dame’s north portal, is in the former Palais Épiscopal (Bishop’s Palace), built…

Clocher Vieux

Along with the the Portail Royal, the main Romanesque feature of the Cathédrale Notre Dame is the 105m-high Clocher Vieux (also called the Tour Sud or…

Église St-Aignan

Église St-Aignan is interesting for its wooden barrel-vault roof (1625), arcaded nave and painted interior of faded blue and gold floral motifs (c 1870)…

Centre International du Vitrail

After viewing the stained glass in Chartres’ cathedral, nip into the town’s International Stained-Glass Centre, in a half-timbered former granary, to see…

Nearby Chartres attractions

1 . Clocher Vieux

2 . Portail Royal

3 . Tour Nord

4 . Cathédrale Notre Dame Crypt

5 . Musée des Beaux-Arts

6 . Centre International du Vitrail

7 . Église St-Aignan

8 . Collégiale St-André

From rue Cardinal Pie, the stairways Tertre St-Nicolas and rue Chantault – the latter lined with medieval houses (number 29 is the oldest house in…

Chartres Cathedral

Plan your visit

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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• (0.00 mi) Le Week-End
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• (0.07 mi) la Brochet' du Sud
• (0.07 mi) Café Bleu
• (0.01 mi) Gallery of Stained Glass
• (0.03 mi) Centre International Du Vitrail
• (0.05 mi) Chartres en Lumieres
• (0.07 mi) Chartres Historic Preservation Area
• (0.04 mi) Le Petit Chart'train

Original Guided Tours

  Original tours with the Chartres Cathedral ‘Reception & Tours Service’ adapt to the expectations of the public. They aim to meet the highest expectations by taking into consideration the age and specificities of our visitors. With these original tours everyone will find what they are looking for!    

Visit for families

you are with your family: enjoy a personalized visit in English, adapted to your expectations

Visit for children

A visit for 7/12 year olds with words and themes that interest them…

During school vacations – Tour in French only

Visit ‘Mysteries of the Cathedral’

medieval codes and symbols are rarely known today… Tour in French only

Closure of the choir

Commented reading: a captivating immersion!

1st semester 2024 1st Friday of month at 10:30 am

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Home » Chartres Cathedral » Cathedral Visit Guide

Chartres Cathedral Visit Guide

Some people ask me some questions about Chartres cathedral visit guide such as what is the cathedral opening hour, is it open on Christmas, how much the entry ticket...

If you're having the same questions, this page page is for you!

Chartres Cathedral Opening hours

The cathedral is all year open from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm .

There are some exception though, for example, in a special occasion, Les Soirées Autrement , which usually takes place from the 1st June to 29th August on every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, the cathedral will be opened until 10.00pm.

Or in other special occasions that may occur throughout the year... so please check out first on Chartres Events Calendar or simply contact me and drop your question.

Want the quickest way? Tweet your questions using the button on the low right column!

In all case, make sure that you read first the cathedral opening hours before your visit, whether you came in group or solo (with family), are you planning a simple visit or wish to visit also the crypt and going up to the cathedral tower, with or without a guide.

The astronomical clock (1528)

Please notice... No tourist activities during the religious celebrations however the cathedral remains open on these days.

Chartres Cathedral Visit Guide Options

There are many ways to discover Chartres Cathedral. You have the possibility to do a self guide, visit with a guide, free or paying option... just choose which one suit you best.

Self Guide (Do It Yourself Guide)

The cathedral opens for public and everyone can entry to visit the building and it's free !

You can visit as an individual or with family. Perhaps you might consider to have Chartres cathedral guide book in your hand to learn each elements inside and outside of the cathedral.

This is a simple Chartres Cathedral visit guide option - but no guide, no visit to the crypt nor visit to the north tower !

In addition, of course, if you wish you may always take a little relax at Bishops Palace Garden after a whole day observing the cathedral. This garden opens all year for public

Chartres cathedral garden

Self Guide with an audio guide

An audio gadget is available at your service in several languages (French, English, Spanish, Germany) to help you do a self guide with audio guide.

You should first need to rent the equipment (a headphone like stuff) which is available in the souvenir store , inside the cathedral. If you enter the cathedral from Royal portal, you should find it on north aisle on your left side.

This service is open daily - closed on January 1 and December 25

Here are the amounts you’ll need to add to your budget - according to which area you wish to visit with an audio guide.

• With 4,20€, the audio guide will guide you to discover the cathedral history during 45 minutes.
• If you wish to take a look only the choir fence of the cathedral, the audio guide will accompany you during 25 minutes, and this will cost you 3,20€.
• You wish to visit both the cathedral and the choir fence while listening the audio guide during 70 minutes and you will be charged for 6,20€.

Visit with a guide (Official guide from the cathedral)

Not comfortable doing a self guide and prefer with one? Choose the visit with an experience guide. You will be charged 6,20€ per person. Free for children below 10 years old.

Students and seniors (more than 60 years old) are charged for 4,20€. However I'm not sure if it also applicable for foreign tourist.

The visiting hours for visit with a guide are available from :

• The 1st April to 31st October Time : 10.30 am (closed on Sunday and Monday) and 3 pm.
• The 1st November to 31st March Time : 2.30 pm (closed on at Christmas and New Year).
• No visit during feast days.

Guide tour in English with Malcolm Miller

If you need a guide tour in English then I recommend you to catch Malcolm Miller. He has been guiding and studying in the cathedral since 1958.

The French government has awarded him two highest civilian honors - Knight of the National Order of Merit and Knight of Order of Arts and Letters.

Chartres cathedral visit guide in English with Malcolm Miller usually scheduled as follow:

• From Easter to end of October at noon and 2.45pm, from November until Easter at noon only, occasionally during the winter or on request - no tour if less than 8 participants. He will charge you around 10€. No reservation needed, just meet in front of the souvenir store inside the cathedral.
• Possible private tour in group of maximum 15 persons by emailing [email protected] or call +33(0)2 37 28 15 58. Price from 125€ but I heard that it can be negotiated.
• No tour on Sunday and religious ceremony.

Souvenir and Book Store

The souvenir and book store in the cathedral

The cathedral visit guide books are available in the souvenir store inside the cathedral - situated on the left side when you enter from the Royal Portal.

You can choose the cathedral visit guide book with your favorite languages - French, English, Japanese, Germany, Spanish etc...

Or else you could find the books also in Chartres Tourism Office.

It's important! The admission fee for Chartres Cathedral Visit Guide section may not reflect all changes... so please confirm by yourself before make a visit. However I will try my very best to keep them always update.

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• Description

Partly built starting in 1145, and then reconstructed over a 26-year period after the fire of 1194, Chartres Cathedral marks the high point of French Gothic art. The vast nave, in pure ogival style, the porches adorned with fine sculptures from the middle of the 12th century, and the magnificent 12th- and 13th-century stained-glass windows, all in remarkable condition, combine to make it a masterpiece.

Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Cathédrale de Chartres

Construite en partie à partir de 1145, et reconstruite en vingt-six ans après l'incendie de 1194, la cathédrale de Chartres est le monument par excellence de l'art gothique français. Sa vaste nef du plus pur style ogival, ses porches présentant d'admirables sculptures du milieu du XII e siècle, sa chatoyante parure de vitraux des XII e et XIII e siècles en font un chef-d'œuvre exceptionnel et remarquablement bien conservé.

كاتدرائية شارتر

تُعتبر كاتدرائية شارتر، التي تمّ تشييدها جزئياً ابتداءً من العام1145 وأعيد بناؤها في غضون عشرين عاماً بعد الحريق الذي أصابها عام 1194، النُصب التذكاري للفن القوطي الفرنسي بامتياز إذ إنّ جناحها الكبير الذي يتّخذ شكل أقواس قوطيّة وأروقتها بمنحوتاتها المذهلة التي تعود لمنتصف القرن الثاني عشر، وزخارف زجاجها الزاهرة العائدة للقرنين الثاني والثالث عشر، تجعل منها تُحفةً نادرةً مصانة بشكل جيد.

source: UNESCO/CPE Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

沙特尔大教堂部分始建于1145年，1194年遭遇火灾，后历经26年重建方再现原貌，可谓法国哥特式建筑的颠峰之作。高大的中殿呈纯粹的尖拱型，四周的门廊装饰着12世纪中叶的精美雕刻，再加上12世纪和13世纪光彩夺目的彩色玻璃，所有的这一切都是那么非凡卓越，堪称经典杰作。

Catedral de Chartres

Empezada en 1145 y recomenzada tras el incendio sufrido en 1194, la construcción de catedral de Chartres finalizó 26 años después de este siniestro. Representativa del apogeo del arte gótico francés, esta catedral dotada de una vasta nave del más puro estilo ojival, de pórticos ornados con admirables esculturas de mediados del siglo XII, y de magníficos vitrales de los siglos XII y XIII es una obra maestra excepcionalmente bien conservada.

source: NFUAJ

Kathedraal van Chartres

De Kathedraal van Chartres is gedeeltelijk gebouwd in 1145 en na de brand in 1194 in 26 jaar voltooid. De kathedraal markeert het hoogtepunt van de Franse gotische kunst. Het enorme schip van de kerk is gebouwd in pure spitsboogstijl en de portalen zijn versierd met fijn beeldhouwwerk uit het midden van de 12e eeuw. De prachtige 12e en 13e-eeuwse gebrandschilderde ramen – beroemd om hun diepblauwe kleur, het Chartres blauw – verkeren in een opmerkelijk goede staat. De kathedraal geldt als Frans meesterwerk en wordt gebruikt als een pelgrimskerk. Chartres is ook bekend vanwege zijn labyrint uit 1205, ingelegd in marmer.

Source: unesco.nl

Outstanding Universal Value

Brief synthesis

Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral, located in the Centre-Val-de-Loire region, is one of the most authentic and complete works of religious architecture of the early 13th century. It was the destination of a pilgrimage dedicated to the Virgin Mary, among the most popular in all medieval Western Christianity. Because of the unity of its architecture and decoration, the result of research of the first Gothic era, its immense influence on the art of Middle Age Christianity, Chartres Cathedral appears as an essential landmark in the history of medieval architecture. The outstanding stained-glass ensemble, monumental statuary of the 12th and 13th centuries and the painted decorations miraculously preserved from the ravages of humankind and time, make Chartres one of the most admirable and the best-preserved examples of Gothic art.

The west façade built around the middle of the 12th century, with its three portals whose splays are decorated with statue columns (Royal Portail), its two towers, its southern spire and its three large incomparable stained-glass windows, comprise an authentic and complete example that remains with us of this art created at St Denis, and which marked the advent of an original mode of plastic expression, known as the Gothic style.

A little later, the nave and the choir, reconstructed as of 1194, effected for the first time an architectural formula which would be widely employed throughout the 13th century.

The monumental sculptures of Chartres Cathedral are valued both for their abundance and for their quality: the large ensembles, reliefs and statues, of the Royal Portail at the entrance to the nave, the six portals and two porches dating from 1210 at the north and south entrances to the transept, offer a complete panorama of Gothic sculpture from the moment when it broke from Romanesque traditions to attain the subtle balance of idealism and realism that characterises its apogee. In this cathedral, seat of a renowned school, technical and artistic mastery were at the service of a highly developed iconographic science.

Finally, Chartres Cathedral has almost totally conserved its homogeneous decor of stained-glass windows executed between approximately 1210 and 1250. To this must be added the three stained-glass windows of the 12th century above the Royal Portail and the large roses of the 13th century on the three façades: on the west, the Last Judgement; on the north, the Glorification of the Virgin; on the south, the Glorification of Christ.

Criterion (i) : Built fairly rapidly and in nearly one stride, Chartres Cathedral, owing to the unity of its architecture and stained-glass, sculptured and painted decoration, constitutes the complete and perfected expression of one of the most characteristic aspects of medieval art.

Criterion (ii) : Chartres Cathedral has exercised considerable influence on the development of Gothic art in France and beyond. The architects of the Cathedrals of Reims, Amiens and Beauvais have only enriched the fundamental design of Chartres, that was imitated in Cologne in Germany, Westminister in England and Leon in Spain. In the domain of stained glass, the influence of the Chartres workshop ranged widely from Bourges, Sens, Le Mans, Tours, Poitiers, Rouen, Canterbury, through spreading or diffusion of works.

Criterion (iv) : Chartres Cathedral is both a symbol and a basic building type. It is the most elucidating example one could choose to define the cultural, social and aesthetic reality of the Gothic cathedral.

Chartres Cathedral was considered as a model from the time of its construction, due to the novelty and perfection of the technical and aesthetic parts that were adopted. All the elements that made it an architectural reference, in particular its nave and choir, remain intact.

The scuptured decor (portals and rood screen elements) offer a complete panorama of the Gothic style. The cathedral has also preserved outstanding stained glass from the middle of the 12th century as well as almost the totality of its homogeneous decor of stained glass that comprises the greatest ensemble of stained glass from the first half of the 13th century. Finally, the interior restorations have revealed the painted decor of the 13th century, constituting an almost entirely preserved false-stone work.

Later additions at the end of the Gothic era (Vendôme Chapel, north-west spire, Clock Pavillon), the Renaissance (choir cloister), Classic era (development of the Victor Louis choir), Industrial era (Emile Martin iron structure) and Contemporary (stained-glass creation) did not alter the purity of the ensemble.

Chartres Cathedral occupies a remarkable position in the Beauce Plain. Its silhouette, visible for more than 25 km around, constitutes a particularly clear marker in the landscape. A true meeting point emblematically confirming the remarkable relation maintained by the architectural work with the surrounding site, this perception of the cathedral “between sky and earth” was evoked by many illustrous artists and writers.

Authenticity

Chartres Cathedral presents outstanding authenticity, both through its structure and its decor, notably the portals and their sculptured decoration having undergone little alteration, and the exceptional ensemble of stained-glass of the 13th century, which are the object of constant conservation measures, and are today in a remarkable state of conservation. The only important alterations undergone by the edifice are the demolition of the rood screen in the 17th century and the roof fire of 1836. The metal structure, put up in 1837 to replace the roof, is a remarkable element of the 19th century that fully participates in the values of the edifice.

Protection and management requirements

Property of the State, Chartres Cathedral is listed in its totality as Historic Monument since 1862. As such, it enjoys conservation measures financed and directly implemented by the Ministry of Culture and Communication. It is included in the outstanding heritage site of the city of Chartres with a safeguarding and enhancement plan in force. Legally recognized as a Catholic building, it cannot be used for any other worship.

The management of the property is ensured by the State, the religious authorities, the National Monuments Centre and the City of Chartres. The important visitor flow in this dense urban environment does not negatively affect the integrity and the authenticity of the property due to the efficient coordination of all these actors. However, the relation between the cathedral and its landscape has now become vulnerable in the face of development pressures.

Once in place, the management plan will inscribe the landscape dimension of the cathedral into the territorial planning tools.

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• cathedrale-chartres.monuments-nationaux.fr

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From 13 April 24 to 5 January 25

Illuminations in progress, end at 1:00am

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Calendar and schedules

Tuesday, april 23, 2024.

9:30pm 1:00am

Illuminations

Illuminations of Chartres en lumières

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Thursday, april 25, 2024.

9:45pm 1:00am

Friday, April 26, 2024

Saturday, april 27, 2024, sunday, april 28, 2024, monday, april 29, 2024, tuesday, april 30, 2024, wednesday, may 01, 2024, thursday, may 02, 2024, friday, may 03, 2024, saturday, may 04, 2024.

Chartres cathedral : the north portal

Chartres cathedral : the rose of the south portal

Chartres cathedral : the royal portal

Collegiate church of Saint-André

Facade of the departmental council

Fresco of Lattre de Tassigny

Montescot Hotel

Museum of Fine Arts : the facade of Honor

Saint-Aignan's Church

Saint-Pierre's Church

Theater of Chartres

Bouju Bridge

Eurelium – The County's Archives

Foulerie wash house

Gloriette quay and wash house

Mill and Saint-Père bridge

Minimes bridge

Place Billard

Saint-Hilaire arcades and bridge

Saint-Hilaire bridge

Wash house of the Grenouillère

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An advance booking is required!

Practical information:

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 1.5 hours Price: Free Language: English

«First acquaintance with Moscow» – a 2.5-hour city tour in the center of Moscow

This Moscow city tour starts on the Theater Square, past Lubyanka Square and the KGB-building, then through Kitay Gorod district and Varvarka Street, past the world-famous St. Basil’s Cathedral. Then it goes across Zarjadje Park, over Red Square at the Lenin Mausoleum, the GUM-department store and towards the Historical Museum. We walk through the Alexander Garden.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 2.5 hours Price: 17 $ Students and children: 6 $ Language: English

A 3.5-hour car/bus tour of Moscow.

This is the best tour of Moscow city as all the important sights are visited. I am your Moscow city guide who will walk you through the city explaining the charming history of the city. This tour begins with picking you up from the hotel. 3 breaks are offered for photographing.

First, we will visit the most famous riverside streets and bridges in the center of the city with the most beautiful views of the Kremlin and the Moskva River (e.g. the Kremlin embankment and the Great Stone Bridge).

The first photo break is made at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. We then pass by the district with numerous museums, Prechistinka Street and the district with numerous medical areas.

We again stop at the Novodevichy Convent, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the other bank of the Moskva River to click pictures.

Then we visit “Sparrow Hills” where you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city of Moscow from the observation deck. Then there are the skyscrapers of Moscow-City, the Kutuzov avenue, the New Arbat, Tverskaya Street, the world-famous Bolshoi Theater, the KGB building and Varvarka Street. Here there are ample spots to click pictures.

We then drive past the Kremlin again and finally reach Red Square. We take a short tour of Red Square and say goodbye in the Alexander Garden.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 3.5 hours Price for a group: 170-200 $ (depending on the number of travelers) Language: English

Metro tour – daily

Palaces for ordinary people – that was what Stalin promised to the people when the construction of the Moscow Metro began between the World Wars. The communist dictator hadn’t promised too much. No other underground system in the world can boast such spectacular architecture – chandeliers, decorations, stucco, paintings on the walls – each station is individually designed. No wonder that Moscow residents love their metro. I will guide you through the bustle of one of the busiest subways in the world and show you the most beautiful stations Moscow city has.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 2 hours Price: 21 $ Students and children: 17 $ Language: English Included in the price: Metro tickets / the guided tour

Tour of Communist Moscow – every day

After the Communist October Revolution in 1918, Moscow became the capital of the Soviet Empire and was the center of socialist orbit for more than 70 years. This left its mark on Moscow, even if the USSR disintegrated more than a quarter of a century ago. The city streets are full of remnants of the communist regime and the Cold War. This is a walking tour where I will show you the most exciting places in Soviet Moscow: from the notorious KGB headquarters, also known as Lubyanka to the Karl Marx Monument to small hidden remains from the time of hammer and sickle. You will also learn about Stalin’s Great Terror political campaign and the system of the GULAG and how the USSR, the communist Russian republic, became modern Russia.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 2 hours Price: 21 $ Students and children: 17 $ Language: English Included in the price: the guided tour

Alternative Moscow Tour – daily

Explore the unseen Moscow with your Moscow private guide and discover a range of sights during this alternative walking tour.  Away from the main tourist spots (in the central district of Kitay-Gorod), just a short walk from Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral, you suddenly find yourself in one of the trendiest districts of Moscow. This place not only has trendy cafes and green squares, but here you can see the most beautiful spray works (according to Albrecht Dürer), hangout-places of the youth and hipsters, as well as learn what Moscow looked like in the 19th century. Here you will also learn exciting and even bloody stories about famous gangsters, eccentric business people and legends like the wandering preacher Rasputin, who is known in Russia either as the “holy devil” or the mad monk. To learn a little more about Moscow’s culture, this is the tour for you. On my alternative tour, you will get to know Moscow away from the tourist hotspots. This tour is of 2 hours duration and you will experience the following on the tour:

• St. John’s Hill, a quiet oasis right in the center, where time has stopped as it did in pre-Communist times
• Khokhlovka Art Center, where Russian hipsters and street artists hang out
• Samoskvorechye District where you can see beautiful streets and hear stories from old Moscow

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 2 hours Price: 21 $ Students and children: 17 $ Language: English Included in the price: the guided tour / tram ticket

Kremlin tour – daily (closed on Thursday)

With its 20 towers and high walls, the Kremlin rises imposingly over Red Square. This world-famous fortress with its area of ​​28 hectares is home to over 800 years of Russian history. Described as the eighth wonder of the world, this historic fortress complex is the principal symbol of Russia that sits on the banks of the Moscow River. Today the Kremlin still harbors numerous secrets and has palaces and cathedrals, surrounded by Kremlin Wall. The current wall was constructed between the 15 th  and 16 th  centuries, but the original wall was made of wood around the year 1147. The Kremlin Wall became an important symbol of Moscow’s importance in the Russian Empire. This top tourist destination attracts millions of people every year and there are various sights to see. With my Kremlin tour, you will see the oldest square in the city in the heart of the Kremlin, the once largest cannon in the world and the scene of numerous dramas – from Ivan the Terrible and Napoleon to Stalin. You cannot miss this unique experience.

An advance booking and prepayment for tickets are required.

Time: by arrangement, daily (closed on Thursday) Duration: 2 hours Price on request Students and children: on request Language: English Included in the price: Kremlin tickets / the guided tour

Moscow pub crawl – Friday / Saturday

Experience the real nightlife of Moscow with my Moscow Pub Crawl and enjoy 4 pubs/bars plus 4 welcome shot drinks. Move from one bar to another and get to know travelers from around the world as well as the locals. Play fun adventure games and contests in addition to getting perks in the bars. Between the bars, move from one place to another on foot. The routes are organized as such that you will walk no more than 10 minutes between the bars. Visit the most exciting events, parties, concerts, and dance in the bars. Moscow Pub Crawl is a tour that you will never forget.

This tour runs every Friday and Saturday evening at 8 PM and you need to bring along your passport or an ID card, comfortable shoes, and wear smart casual clothes.

An advance booking and a small prepayment are required!

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 4 hours Price on request Language: English Included in the price: the guided tour, 4 shot drinks

1.5-hour boat trip on the Moskva River.

Taking a boat tour in Moscow on the Moskva River is a very pleasant experience. It allows you to know the city from a totally different perspective and admire the beautiful bridges. In this 1.5-hour river trip, you will sail past many beautiful sites in Moscow, so you can take the best photos to commemorate this day. The ship makes several stops on the way. The trip starts from the Ustinskiy Bridge near Sarjadje Park and ends at the Kiev train station.

On this Boat Trip, you can see sights such as: the former Imperial Education House, Sarjadje Park, the “flowing”, “floating” bridge, the most beautiful view of the Kremlin, the Great Stone Bridge, the legendary House on the Quay, the Christ the Savior Cathedral , the monument to Peter the Great on the ship, the central sports arena Luzhniki, the Sparrow Hills, 240 meters high Lomonosov University, the numerous architecturally spectacular skyscrapers of Moscow-City, the Novodevichy Convent, the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs etc.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 1.5 hours Price on request Language: English

A military tour – riding on tanks in Stupino (Moscow region)

Russian Military is one of the largest military forces in the world formed in 1992. With my Military Tour experience what it likes to be in the Russian military, shooting guns, ride the Tank T-34 and various models of German tanks from the Second World War, as well as armored personnel carriers and vehicles. You will also shoot from the AK-47 and another combat weapon.

The tour will begin with your private tour guide Moscow in a Soviet army van accompanied with some tasty snacks and tea for a tasty start. Upon arriving, you will have to put on the army safety clothing and climb the Russian armored vehicles. The tour will take you on the noisy, smoky tank, driving through mud roads. All participants will get the chance to drive the tank which is coordinated by the Russian military.

Time: by arrangement, daily Price on request Language: English

Alexander Popov

Welcome to Russia! My name is Alexander, I was born in Moscow and I'm a passionate tour guide. I want to share my passion for Russia and my hometown with you. On my website you will find useful information to make your individual trip to Russia as interesting as possible.

Gorky Park and Sparrow Hills: Green Lungs, place to relax and meet

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Individual Moscow City Tour by Car with English-speaking guides

• St. Petersburg
• Golden Ring
• Layover Tour

Private Moscow City Tour by Car

Discover Moscow by car with our local, English-speaking guides! Moscow is a mega-city, with a lot of amazing places to see and experience. LingoTaxi is offering you an unique opportunity to visit the attractions and sights – both popular sights as well as hidden gems – of your choice in a comfortable vehicle with our local English-speaking chauffeurs/guide.

Visit the Red Square, Kremlin, St.Basil’s Cathedral, the Bolshoi Theatre, Lenin’s Tomb – get acquainted with the iconic Moscow sights during a hassle-free and relaxing driving tour with one of our experienced private guides. Learn to navigate in Moscow Metro, hear the Kremlin clock toll, or witness the change of guards at the Eternal Flame. This and more with our local guides and affordable, fair prices! Minimum tour duration is 3 hours.

Our Moscow City Tour by Car includes:

• Pick up and drop off at hotel
• Private Moscow city tour - as long as you want ( min. 3 hours
• Personal English-speaking chauffeur/guide
• Choose the vehicle you are comfortable with
• You can choose your own itinerary
• Activity level: light
• Fares fixed per hour, taxes included, no hidden costs!

Please note that ticketing is not included in the fare, but can be added upon request. Our tours require a minimum 25% prepayment in order to reserve a guide for your tour.

Economy Class

2600 RUB / hour

(approx. 26 EUR)

Comfort Class

3000 RUB / hour

(approx. 30 EUR)

Business Class

4400 RUB / hour

(approx. 44 EUR)

4000 RUB / hour

(approx. 40 EUR)

Discover Moscow with a local English-speaking chauffeur/guide!

Moscow is a mega-city, with a lot of amazing places to see and experience. LingoTaxi is offering you an unique opportunity to visit the attractions and sights of your choice in a comfortable vehicle with our local English-speaking chauffeurs/guide.

What is the itinerary of the tour?

Your private Moscow City Tour can include any of the main sites such as the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, New Maidens' Convent, Sparrow Hills, Stalin’s Skyscrapers, Victory Park, White House , and many more. Drive by St. Basil's Cathedral, have a walk on the Red Square , or stroll through Alexander Gardens ; the possibilities with our individual tours are endless.

How does it work?

Contact us, tour request form, main contact person details, latest customer review.

I have been using Lingo Taxi since 2019 and will not even consider another service for even half the price. The drivers are brilliant, polite... Continue reading...

Come with me on my travels, as you plan yours

A Moscow Free Walking Tour of the Iconic Red Square

Updated March 10th, 2020

This post might contain affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you buy through my site. I appreciate your support of my site.

No visit to Moscow, Russia is complete unless you take a walk around the famous Red Square and see the iconic sights of the city. One of the best ways to see all the famous landmarks in Moscow and learn a little something about them too is on a free Moscow walking tour through the Red Square.

Continue reading for a sneak peek at what you will see on your free tour in Moscow and for tips on both the tour and visiting the sights. Make sure to save some time during your trip to go inside of the magnificent buildings because you will not be going in the buildings during the tour.

The State Historical Museum

The Moscow free walking tour begins at the Marshal Zhukov monument in front of the State Historical Museum . You can’t miss this massive red building. The museum’s interior is almost as spectacular as the artifacts you can see within. Read my post dedicated to the museum here to find out more on what you can see and tips for visiting. Admission is free with the Moscow City Pass .

The Kremlin

Behind the walls of the Kremlin lie the working offices of Russian’s government and president. When visiting the Kremlin you can see the Armory Chamber, Cathedral Square, the Patriach’s Palace and many more cathedrals. You definitely want to buy tickets ahead of time so you avoid the long-lines. You can get free admission with the Moscow City Pass . It’s also worth it to take a guided tour if you don’t speak Russian so you have more of an understanding of what you are seeing.

St. Basil’s Cathedral

If asked to conquer up an image of Moscow, St. Basil’s Cathedral might just be the most likely image you picture. The cathedral has a museum that you can visit at a later time. You can buy tickets at the ticket kiosk outside the cathedral or receive free admission with the Moscow City Pass .

Moskva River

Next up on the tour is the Moskva River which runs through the center of Moscow. A cruise on the Moskva River is a great way to see the city from a different perspective.

GUM Shopping Mall

Who would think a mall would be one of Moscow’s most well-known attractions? GUM shopping mall across from the Kremlin makes up one of the four sides of the Red Square. The stores might be a bit too pricey for shopping, but the gorgeous interior is worth a visit. If that doesn’t convince you, the mall has some of the best ice cream! GUM is the only building you go inside during the free walking tour. There are pay bathrooms you can use while you have a few minutes of free time.

Kazan Cathedral

Located on the northeast corner of the Red Square, the Kazan Cathedral is another impressive dome-shaped building in Moscow that is also an active place of worship. Entering the cathedral is allowed, but remember to be respectful if people are worshipping.

Bolshoi Theater

Contrary to the previous buildings, the Bolshoi Theater isn’t along one of the four sides of the Red Square. Located a few minutes away, the theater is one of the best theaters in the world. Make sure to come back for a guided tour of the inside or make reservations far ahead of time to attend a ballet or opera.

Alexander Gardens

The tour ends near the Alexander Gardens , a free public park located along the western Kremlin walls. The garden’s green lawns, sculptures and water fountains offer a nice place to take a stroll or relax a bit after some busy sightseeing.

You can visit all these sites on your own, but the best part of doing the Moscow free tour is that you learn more information and have the potential to meet new people!

During my tour I started to talk to a woman from Malaysia and she invited me to join her and her friends for a Russian meal afterwards. It’s these little impromptu meetings and opportunities that I love most about traveling and add more to the sightseeing experience. While I was a little hesitant about going to the tour myself I told myself it would be a great opportunity to possibly meet new people. I love when things work out like that!

If you have already seen the iconic sights of the Red Square and are looking for other things to do in Moscow check out my What to Do in Moscow post that gives more off-the beaten track things to do in Moscow!

Moscow Free Walking Tour Visiting Information

Moscow Free Walking Tours

How to Get There

The Moscow Free Walking Tour begins at the Marshal Zhukov monument in front of the State Historical Museum (a large red building). The website shows a map with the exact meeting point.

To get to the red square area you can take the blue 3 metro line to the Ploshchad Revolyutsii stop, or the green 2 line to the Teatralnaya station or the red 1 line to the Okhotny Ryad station. For more on how to use the metro read my Moscow Metro Guide .

Tours every day at 10:30am – 1pm in English

If you need a toilet before the start of the tour the Okhotny Ryad and GUM shopping malls are both close to the start of the tour. You will need to pay to use the toilets. There is a quick break mid-way through the tour at the GUM shopping mall where you can use the toilet if needed.

During the mid-way break in the tour you can buy some ice cream at the GUM shopping mall. There aren’t many other options or time for anything else. After the tour there are a lot of restaurants in the area. There are a couple of Varenichnaya №1 locations nearby if you would like some authentic Russian food. Their speciality is Russian dumplings. Another classic choice nearby is Grand Cafe Dr. Jhivago. While you can try traditional Russian foods like borscht and Olivier Salad, you may need a reservation. GUM has several restaurants, including a couple of buffets upstairs.

Recommendations

While I would start off your visit to Moscow with a tour of the Red Square, make sure to come back to each place to tour the inside. If you are visiting several sights consider buying the Moscow City Pass  to save money on admissions.

Other Tour Options

Another company  Moscow Free Tour  does a similar free walking tour in the Red Square. Check the site for the details on the starting point and times. If you prefer a private paid tour with a hotel pick-up and a visit to St. Basil’s Cathedral included check out this tour . For a private paid tour with a hotel pick-up and a visit to the Kremlin included you may want to take this tour or this one . Even if you don’t typically take tours, I would recommend taking tours as much as possible in Moscow. Many people do not speak English and most information is not in English either.

Where to Stay in Moscow

Find somewhere to stay in Moscow near the Red Square so you are convenient to all the sights!

More About Russia

• Moscow Things to Do:  Unique Things to Do ,   Spartak Stadium
• Moscow Markets:  Izmailovsky Market ,   Danilovsky Market
• Moscow Museums:  Moscow City Museum ,  Victory Museum ,  Museum of the Patriotic War in 1812 ,  State Historical Museum ,
• Moscow Life:  Malls ,  Christmas in Moscow ,  Metro ,  Learning Spanish ,  My Russian Apartment ,   What is Life Really Like in Russia ,  FiFa World Cup ,  Russian Winters , and more posts about  life abroad in Russia .
• St Petersburg:  City Guide ,  The Hermitage Museum ,  Kayaking the Rivers & Canals ,   Peterhof Palace

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The Kremlin looks rather imposing. It would be great to explore the history in Moscow.

There is a lot of history in Moscow to explore!

What a handy guide to get the most of Moscow’s red square! I’ve always wanted to try a walking tour and this looks like the perfect place to start!

I really enjoy walking tours, I think they are a great way to get to know a new place!

You have highlighted all the main sights around and in the Red Square indeed! I have visited Moscow in winter and the atmosphere was magical…even though it was cold 🙂 I’m looking forward to visiting in summer too!

Yes, there is a magical feel during the winter. I have to say I prefer the warmer, brighter summers though 🙂

Follow My Anchor

I am planning to go to Moscow and St. Petersburg this year so reading this was very helpful. I would love to do the walking tour! What time of year did you do it? I am planning to go in August as I really can’t stand the cold 😀 Do you think August might be a good time to visit Moscow? Thank you so much for your information!

I did the walking tour in September. July and August are the best times to visit Moscow in my opinion, so you are going at a great time! I lived in Moscow for a year so I have a lot of posts about Moscow and a couple for St. Petersburg too. Please check out my other posts as you are planning your trip and feel free to send any questions my way!

I’m a huge fan of taking free walking tours whenever my husband and I travel. We learn more about the history from the local’s perspective. Your walking tour in Moscow looks fun. The St. Basil’s Cathedral is beautiful and would love to see it. Thanks for sharing the must-see places in Moscow!

I’m a big fan of free walking tours too! I completely agree that you get a good perspective and introduction to the history of the city.

I would love to take the walking tour to get a good coverage of the area! The tip about paying for the bathrooms is great. That’s something I didn’t realize when I went to Europe for the first time from the US.

I always find it annoying paying for bathrooms in Europe!

I visited Moscow in June this year for the World Cup and I loved it. St. Basil’s Cathedral was the highlight for me, it’s such an impressive piece of architecture. I would’ve liked to visit more of Russia but maybe next time!

I really enjoyed Moscow during the World Cup too. The city was much livelier than usual!

I have been to St. Petersburg but never to Moscow. I think that these kind of tours are very useful to gather many information but I second your suggestion to visit the palaces inside as they have stunning interior decor and art treasures.

Yes, I think both going on tours and getting an overview and touring the inside of places are good to do.

Shreya Saha

St. Basil’s cathedral is definitely a beautiful place to visit. I would also love to stroll by the Alexander gardens and maybe spend some time in the shopping mall call mom maybe visit the theater, also I would love to visit Kremlin and the State Historical Museum. That’s a great list you have managed to provide here.

Never been to Russia, but the country’s history and culture has always fascinated me. Great list of things to do in Moscow’s Red Square. Kremlin is definitely on top of my list!

Russia does have a fascinating history and culture!

The architecture here always looks so beautiful. I would love to go to Russia. Some helpful tips here that would really help me navigate a future trip. I love the Russian ballet so a trip to the theater would be a must for me.

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