Greetings from Chartres…wish you were here!

Photo of the town and main cathedral in Chartres, France taken in winter 1993.

Per Wikipedia: “The medieval Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres, (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres), a Latin Rite Catholic cathedral located in Chartres, about 80 kilometres (50 mi) southwest of Paris, is considered one of the finest examples of the French High Gothic style. The current cathedral, mostly constructed between 1193 and 1250, is one of at least five that have occupied the site since the town became a  bishopirc in the 4th century.

What makes the cathedral special from an art historical viewpoint is its exceptional state of preservation. The majority of the original stained glass windows survive intact, while the architecture has seen only minor changes since the early 13th century. The building’s exterior is dominated by heavy flying buttresses which allowed the architects to increase the window size significantly, while the west end is dominated by two contrasting spires — one, a 105 metre (349 ft) plain pyramid dating from the 1140s, and the other a 113 metre (377 ft) tall early 16th century Flamboyant spire on top of an older tower. Equally notable are the three great façades, each adorned with hundreds of sculpted figures illustrating key theological themes and narratives.”

A visit to Chartres is a must if you are traveling throughout France.  It is probably one of the most spectacular and impressive cathedrals I’ve ever seen.

I took this photo as we entered town and headed to see the famous cathedral.  I love how the cathedral dominates the town, sending off a powerful feeling of the influence of religion on medieval France.

Written by thirdeyemom