Garden of the Bishopric of Chartres, Urban park in Chartres, France
The Garden of the Bishopric of Chartres, also known as the Jardin de l'Évêché, is a public urban park in Chartres, France, located directly behind Notre-Dame Cathedral. The park is made up of maintained paths, open lawns, flower beds, and a few shade trees, with views toward the Eure river and the surrounding old buildings.
The grounds originally belonged to the private estate of the Bishop of Chartres and served as a retreat for church leaders for centuries. Over time it was opened to the public and is now managed as a municipal park by the local authority.
The Jardin de l'Évêché sits just behind Notre-Dame Cathedral and is a spot that locals use for a slow walk or a quiet break on a bench. The paths lead to open views over the Eure river and the old rooftops of the city below.
The park is open year-round from early morning to late evening and works well as part of a visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral, which is right next door. The paths are flat and easy to walk, with some sections offering a broad view over the lower town and the river.
Although the garden sits in the shadow of the cathedral, it is one of the few spots in Chartres from which you can see the full west facade and both towers up close at the same time. The angle from the raised section of the park is unusual and is often missed by visitors.
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