Terrasse du Bry (Terrace above the Eure River)
Locals call the raised terrace along the Rue du Bry the best free viewpoint in Chartres, and it is hard to argue — from here you look down over a cascade of medieval wash-houses (lavoirs), the willow-lined Eure River and the cathedral towers soaring above the rooftops in perfect alignment. It is the shot that appears on every Chartres postcard, and it costs nothing.
The View & the Walk
The terrace sits at the top of the steep escarpment that divides the upper medieval town from the lower riverside quarter. A series of stone staircases — the most picturesque being the Escalier de la Reine Berthe — zigzag down through garden terraces to the river bank below, passing half-timbered houses and old tannery buildings converted into artists' studios.
The best light falls on the scene in the late afternoon when the sun is low behind the cathedral, turning the stone towers golden and reflecting in the Eure. Photographers should position themselves on the terrace between 4 and 6 p.m. in summer for the definitive shot.
Combining with the Riverside Walk
From the bottom of the staircase, a flat riverside path follows the Eure south past the Moulin de la Foulerie (a restored medieval fulling mill) and the Eglise Saint-André ruins, whose Gothic arches now frame the river dramatically. The full loop from the cathedral, down to the river and back up via Rue des Ecuyers takes about 45 minutes at a gentle pace.
The riverside path is entirely car-free and lined with weeping willows, making it a genuinely tranquil escape from the tourist bustle around the cathedral. Families with pushchairs and cyclists use it regularly — a good sign that it is flat and well-maintained.
Terrasse du Bry (Terrace above the Eure River) on video
More of Chartres
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Chartres →
