Chartres, France

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Chartres is majestic, magnificent, stately, and as my dear friend Tim says, all the superlatives apply to this magnificent, elegant cathedral. It is one of the best preserved examples of Gothic art with statuary and stained glass from the 12th and 13th centuries, and so much more. This masterpiece has survived multiple fires, wars, revolutions, and is still standing tall today.

This impressive cathedral, a true masterpiece, is worthy of our devotion and attention. We visited a few weeks ago with our dear friends Tim and Lisa, when they were visiting from the states. I’m not going to spend much time on the vast, lengthy history of this UNESCO Heritage Site (1979) since it is incredibly detailed, but click here if you want more information.

When we first entered the cathedral, we heard some amazingly melodic singing, slightly similar to chanting, but more alluring. Turns out we just happened to stumble upon a concert performed by the University of Mount Union Concert Choir. What a thrill for us to enjoy, and for the students from Ohio, to perform in Chartres Cathedral.

Christian Pilgrims have flocked here since the 12th century, most of them came to revere a piece of the Sancta Camisa, Mary’s veil, or a piece of the tunic she wore when she gave birth to Christ. It’s unclear exactly what it is, and searches came up elusive and eluded to possible folklore and hyperbole. I say this with all the respect Mary is due; like most teenagers, she may have tossed her clothes around, thinking that mom would pick up after her; so who knows what the display really holds. 😉

The crypt was built between 1020 – 1024, and still remains today. We took a tour which, even though it was in French and we missed many of the details, it was amazing to wander through the vast area. The crypt holds some stunning, contemporary artwork including The Curtain of Light by Udo Zembok, and stained glass created by Kim en Joong, an artist and Dominican priest.

Here you’ll also find frescos from the 13th century, and Our Lady of the Crypt Chapel.

There is a labyrinth in the cathedral dating back to the 13th century, and was an important part of the pilgrimage for visiting devotees. It is open for walking most Fridays from 10:00 – 5:00.

There was scaffolding set up inside the church during our visit used for cleaning the ceiling and walls. Lisa pointed out the contrast between the freshly cleaned areas with those yet to be cleaned.

Of course, the cathedral was the highlight of our trip to Chartres, but the city has some other interesting points of interest, including the oldest house in the city. Located at 29 rue Chantault, it is the oldest inhabited structure since it was built in 12th century. I found the sculptures over the windows to be quite interesting. The Romanesque style carvings may have been placed there to keep evil spirits away; but their purpose is unclear.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts is located just behind the cathedral. This museum set in a former episcopal palace dating back to the 15th century, has an interesting collection of paintings, relics, musical instruments, and much more.

Weekends mean the street markets are open for business. You’ll find food, produce, wine and more on Saturdays, and antiques on Sundays.

Chartres is a beautiful town and a lovely place to stroll and take photos.

We stayed at Le Grand Monarque, centrally located, within walking distance to the cathedral, shops, restaurants, and other amenities. I highly recommend this lovely hotel, it is quiet, comfortable and the customer service is outstanding.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Chartres and hope to visit again someday. Have you visited Chartres? Even if you haven’t, I would love to hear from you.

Wishing you grand adventures,

Tricia