Sunday, June 10, 2012

Notre Dame de Chartres - la tour nord




Notre Dame de Chartres, commonly known as Chartres Cathedral, is an architectural treasure as well as a destination for pilgrims for over a thousand years.  I have posted previously here, here and here.

This photo was taken as friend Marie and I ascended the narrow, worn steps in the Jehan de Beauce tower.  We walked round and round seeing few others in the tight spiral leading to the very top, a rather small perch from which to view all of Chartres.  This shot is a portion of the buttresses and the 19th century iron roof.  Each rotation on our way to the top provided a vignette beyond the stone windows including gargoyles and other carvings.

If you are in Paris this easy day trip is worth the visit.  Currently the interior is undergoing a major restoration and there may be portions inaccessible to visitors.  The labyrinth has been restored and is open.


bon dimanche



Notre Dame de Chartres
Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres
Chartres, France

26 comments:

Sylvia K said...

What an awesome place! I've read a good bit about it and seen lots of photos and I would love to visit there! Your photos are the next best thing to being there! Hope your weekend is going well, mon amie!

Hugs
Sylvia

Lynne with an e said...

I almost get vertigo looking at this picture!

Rob-bear said...

A beautiful picture, Genie. The stone is looking very pitted — sign of aging and corrosion, but I trust not a suggestion of a collapse any time soon.

Bon dimanche!

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Genie:
It is, we regret to say, some thirty years since we were in Chartres Cathedral but we will never forget the effect in that darkened interior of all that wonderful, no, outstanding, stained glass.

Diane said...

That photo is amazing, another place marked on my list of places to visit. Diane

martinealison said...

Une photo vertigineuse!... magnifique.
Je suis toujours très admirative de ce que nos "anciens" ont réalisé.
Merci pour ce beau partage.
gros bisous

Joe said...

Wow Genie. I will add this place to my list. Love the age and the history of this place.

Joe said...

Wow Genie. I will add this place to my list. Love the age and the history of this place.

Jana said...

This building does look old and so much history, you got a good picture of it showing the texture and age of it.

Virginia said...

You know the labyrinth in on my short (HA) list!
V

PerthDailyPhoto said...

It looks even more amazing when you pull the image in closer Genie, you can see the old stonework in wonderful detail.

Ken Mac said...

Wow. Thanks for taking us inside!

Anonymous said...

Whoa! I am afraid of heights and when I look at this image I can feel my stomach lurch! LOL

Forest Dream Weaver said...

I love this cathedral but wouldn't be enticed to visit the tower,your explanation will suffice.Thanks for sharing the experience!

Bon dimanche Genie,
Ruby

Starman said...

If I was to climb those stairs, I'd need a week off to recuperate.

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Hi Genie,
Although I am a litte dizzy, I love it! I have always loved
architecture and this is breathtaking...
It was such a joy to have you come see Bebe off on her adventure to Paris.. Your encoraging and kind words have left me speachless.
Yes, It has been in my mind (for some time) but have yet to get it in motion... There is nothing I would like more.. I have written it a thousand times in my head, maybe I should just put pencil in hand.
Merci cher ami, your encouraging words have truly inspired me.
Bonne journée,
Penny

Connie said...

What a great photo. I love your perspective, very artsy.
Thanks for the lovely compliment on our photo and thanks for visiting Steve's blog. I'm am pretty proud of him. Have a wonderful day, Connie :)

Pat said...

Been to Chartres only once...in 1969...yikes. Due for another visit. Very tempting shot!

Cezar and Léia said...

wow, impressive angle in this picture, I like it a lot!
Léia

TheChieftess said...

An interesting shot of Chartres!!!

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Genie, you have not missed the party, just fashionably late.. It ends on the 15th.. Please do join everyone..
Take care and thanks again.
Penny

Cheri said...

Genie, great photos. I have been following your blog for about a year now and I was wondering where the photo at the top of your blog was taken. I have loved that picture forever....curious!

Randy said...

That really is a treasure. Nice shot.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

To all, I have just read an interesting novel "Labyrinth" by Kate Mosse which made me think again about this cathedral. It is an archaeologicl mystery set both in the Middle Ages and present-day France. Published in 2005, it was awarded "Best Read of the Year" by the British Book Awards. Much of the action is centered in the Languedoc region, specifically Carcassonne.

Regarding a visit to Chartres, definitely go and spend the day. You can walk every street and see all the medieval churches. Let me know if you have questions. We had a delightful déjeuner off the beaten path, bien sûr!

One of the links to a previous post refers to Malcolm Miller, a gentleman who has devoted his life to studying this Cathedral.

As I mentioned in the post, there is much renovation currently and it is projected to be completed by 2013.

Thank you for your comments. I will post another photo or two from here on future Sundays.

Bises,
Genie

Photos by Stan said...

Wow! I was at Chartres several times and never realized you could get to where you did. What a nice and different perspective!

BriGt said...

oh my goshh THAT is something i would looove to see ! is this in Paris ? better take some notes ;)