When are the chairs taken off the labyrinth?
When is it available for walking?

The schedule for open labyrinth walks changes from year to year but in the recent past, the labyrinth has been open most Fridays from approximately 10:00 am until 5:00 pm starting on the first Friday in Lent (March or April) through All Saints Day (November 1).

The labyrinth is not open on Good Friday, during certain pilgrimage times in May, during one Friday in September which changes from year to year depending on the concert schedule, and during certain cathedral parish events scheduled at the last moment, such as funerals.

You can contact the cathedral staff at the Recor’s Office (preferably in French) before you go to inquire about the labyrinth being on a specific date.
Rectorat, Cathédrale de Chartres  16, Cloitre Notre Dâme  28000 Chartres, France
From the US: Tel. 011-33-2-37-21-56-33  In France: 02-37-21-56-33 From other countries +33-02-37-21-56-33
From the US Fax 011-33-2-37-36-51-43  In France: 02-37-36-51-43 From other countries +33-02-37-36-51-43 (in french)
Email: [email protected] 
Websites: The Cathedral Website; The Diocese of Chartres

Arrive when the labyrinth opens (or a few minutes beforehand and help with the removal of chairs if asked), or walk in the late afternoon (be sure to leave enough time to finish well before five o’clock as the chairs are sometimes put back on early) for the fewest distractions from tour groups and others that wander across the labyrinth unaware of its significance.

In the past, the cathedral has scheduled two after-hours french-language guided labyrinth experiences a year. One usually is during Advent and one during Lent.  Inquire at the welcome (Service-Accueil-Visites ) office about these. You can email, but a phone call is more likely to get a timely response. From the US: Tel. 011-33-2-37-21-75-02  In France: 02-37-21-75-02.  From other countries +33-02-37-21-75-02

It is sometimes possible to arrange private labyrinth use for groups after hours by calling the French-speaking cathedral staff at 011-33-2-37-21-58-08 (from the US). The Rector’s office understands inquiries as the beginning of a discussion about availability which includes providing information about your group and your specific interest in labyrinth use. They prefer to work with groups or guides that they know and have worked with before. If they are open to your group using the labyrinth, they will give you a form to fill out before discussing a time for your group to use the labyrinth. A donation and tip for the sacristan who works after hours expected. Email is not the best way to make contact. If your email is not answered quickly, call.

In recent years it has become more difficult to arrange for private group walks.