Chartres pilgrims walking in french fields holding banners and the USA flag.

Chartres Pilgrimage

May 18th-20th

Since its completion in 1252 A.D., Catholics—priests, the laity, religious, kings, and saints—have been making pilgrimages to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartres.

In the 1980s, this medieval pilgrimage to Chartres experienced a revival among traditional French Catholics who began organizing yearly pilgrimages to Chartres. This year’s pilgrimage will mark its 42nd year.


The pilgrimage takes place leading up to Pentecost. Over 16,000 pilgrims from France, Europe, and America walk 60 miles over the course of 3 days. They start at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris and conclude at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartres.

  • Banners, flags, and statues of saints are carried by pilgrims as they sing Catholic hymns in French, English, and Latin.
  • In the evening, many pilgrims spend time in adoration, despite walking in the hot sun all day long.
  • Out of love for their King, Christ, pilgrims sleep on the ground each night. Some must sleep under the stars, as the tents often overflow due to the number of pilgrims.

Each year the pilgrimage is planned so that the final day ends with Pentecost Sunday Mass at Chartres Cathedral.

More information about the Chartres pilgrimage can be found below.


Walking Pilgrimage – Primarily Young Adult – Traditional Catholic

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