Cathédral Notre-Dame de Chartres - un détail

Chartres Cathedral

12th Century Gothic

The 300 narrow, winding steps to the bell tower 

reward the adventurous climber with a quiet and lofty view of Chartres 

as well as intricate details.  

The cathedral artisans carved images of beasts and flowers 

in places where they would not be easily seen by anyone but God.

bon dimanche

Cathédral Notre-Dame de Chartres

Chartres, France
(an easy day-trip from Paris by train)

Les toits de Chartres

from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres

On the ascent to the top of the Bell Tower

A variety of architecture, rooftops, and layout of the city

can be seen from our ascent at the half-way point to the top of the Bell Tower.

The steps were worn smooth and a tight spiral shared by those going up and those going down.  We only encountered a few in either direction.  It is a bit dizzying.

If I had shown this photo in black and white you would have missed the fields of rape seed (canola) in the far horizon.  As we made the quick trip on the train, the bright yellow provided blocks of color as we zipped along.

Chartres, France

96 km southwest of Paris

an easy day-trip by train

Cathédral Notre-Dame de Chartres

Chartres Cathedral

12th Century Gothic

looking down as we ascended the many ancient,

spiraling steps to the bell tower

bon dimanche

Cathédral Notre-Dame de Chartres
Chartres, France
(an easy day-trip from Paris by train)

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

Malcolm Miller, Chartres Cathedral expert

On Sundays, I usually feature a church.

Today, I am presenting a portrait of Malcolm Miller, who is likely the foremost authority on Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres.  He has been giving lecture tours of this world famous cathedral for over 50 years and says that he continues to learn new details.

According to Mr. Miller, the 13th century Chartres Cathedral can be compared to a library. And like a library, we may visit and read many books, maybe even re-read some books, but we will never read all the books. Chartres is much the same. Its contents: architectural design, statues, and stained glass are each like books and their respective images their text. What is remarkable in this new millennium, said Miller, is that much of Chartres can still be "read."  (from Kathleen Lang's "Malcolm Miller: Reading Chartres Cathedral, info@artagogo.com)

If you have an opportunity to see Chartres Cathedral, be sure to search out Mr. Miller for better understanding of the details, stories and mysteries of the cathedral.  He will demand your attention much like a professor of his students and delight you with his humor and intimate knowledge.

bon dimanche

Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres

Chartres, France 

Cathedral of our Lady of Chartres - astrological clock

The chancel screen of Chartres Cathedral displays an impressive astrological clock dating from the 16th century. It told not only the time but the day of the week, the month of the year, the time of sunrise and sunset, the phase of the moon and the current sign of the zodiac. Its inner works were partially destroyed in 1793.

With the thousands of stained glass windows one could almost miss this treasure

bon dimanche

The Labyrinth of Chartres Cathedral

The labyrinth of Chartres Cathedral was laid out in the nave of the cathedral in the early 13th Century as the church was being built. This chemin du paradis is walked even today as it was centuries ago, slowly and prayerfully, by pilgrims. On this day there were people of all ages, some with bare feet and some in shoes. Many walk the 260 meters on their knees as was the practice in the Middle Ages.

With several hundred people in the cathedral, the labyrinth was silent... a sight one does not soon forget.

Bon dimanche

Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres
Chartres, France

Aujourd'hui

The elegance of over 4,000 stained glass windows at Chartres Cathedral seems appropriate for today, Easter Sunday. This is the St. Stephen Chapel of Martyrs, a story told in the panes of the windows.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres
Chartres, France