The château that was home to the counts of Chartres used to stand on what is now the covered market-place in the Place Billard.

In the tenth century, Thibault the 1st, named "The Trickster", Count of Blois, Chartres and Tours, built the first fortress.
Subsequent buildings were little lived in by the counts and dukes of Chartres, and, over time, fell into disrepair.
In 1587 the dungeon was partially destroyed. The remaining buildings and towers became a prison and law courts.
The château was then taken over by the City of Chartres, and, in the 18th century, was even used as a slaughterhouse… before becoming a prison once again from the French Revolution onwards.

In the early part of the 19th century, the ruins of the feudal castle were replaced by a vegetable market, and, by 1836, the last traces of the building had disappeared.

The covered market, in the style of Baltard, dates from 1899.
La Place Billard was named after a line of mayors of Chartres, who held office during the 19th century.




To learn more about the château of Chartres and its last occupants, click on "Video".