A Day Trip from Paris...Chartres

Way back in August, Pierre and I took the train to Chartres about an hour or so from Paris.

We had long wanted to visit  Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres....a magnificent structure built in high Gothic style dating from the 12th century.....widely considered to be the finest Gothic cathedral in France....and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It's a wondrous cathedral....with heavy flying buttresses, original stained-glass windows still intact, and beautifully sculpted figures on the facade.  Pilgrims continue to flock to this cathedral today....it's very special.

No matter how many times I visit these cathedrals I can never get my mind around just how they did it....the architectural design, skill, and sheer perseverance is breathtaking even for the 21st century....but they did it way back in medieval times.  Truly amazing!

Notice the two different spires...one was built in the 12th century and the other, more flamboyant
spire built in the 16th century.

Who was the medieval stonemason who carved this
I wonder?

Look at the drapes and pleating....aren't they superb?

There was a peacefulness about Chartres....perfect for contemplation and reflection.

The labrinth on the floor of the nave in the cathedral (it has the above design),
 is intricately constructed in black marble...
and pilgrims, to this day, come to pray and walk the labrinth.  

Chartres is a quaint little city too.
It's a lovely place for lunch and to have a stroll before
heading back to the density and fast pace of Paris.
Things are just a bit slower in Chartres...which is nice.

A bientot Chartres......it was such a pleasure to visit.

You may also like my post on:

http://parisallons-y.blogspot.fr/2012/09/a-day-trip-from-parisreims.html