Chartres Travel Guide

Chartres

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City Introduction

King Philip IV acquired the county of Chartres in 1286, and the city became a significant center of learning in the Middle Ages. In 1528 Chartres became a duchy, and in 1594 King Henry IV was crowned in Chartres Cathedral as the only king not crowned in Reims. Some centuries later, Chartres suffered significant damage during World War II.

There are several museums in Chartres such as the city center and gallery for glass mosaics and the Chartres art museum, the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The art museum is housed in the city’s historic residence for Chartres’ bishop, and its fine collections consist of an abundance of paintings, sculptures, furniture and archaeological finds. It is also interesting to visit the beautiful building.

The Cathedral of Chartres is the city’s greatest attraction. The cathedral is considered one of the finest Gothic structures in France, and it is included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites. The impressive building was built largely from 1194 to its dedication in 1260, and it was the first building to use buttresses in the construction. The cathedral was never expanded or rebuilt to a significant extent, apart from the northern tower spire, which was built in the early 16th century.

Therefore, Chartres’ cathedral also stands as a particularly well-preserved monument from the era of the Gothic cathedrals, and you can e.g. see the many original stained-glass windows that, like the cathedral, date from the 13th century. The mosaics contain the so-called Chartres blue, and they depict Bible history.

In the great interior of the cathedral, you can see a famous circular labyrinth. The circular shape symbolizes eternity, the perfection of God and the sun, which in turn is a symbol of Christ. The labyrinth measures 12 meters in diameter and was designed according to mathematical and symbolic principles. The path into the labyrinth consists of stones with a width of approximately 34 centimeters. The last stone at the entrance to the center is 1.64 meters long, which is believed to be the average height of a person in the Middle Ages. When you get to the center of the labyrinth, you have been through all the labyrinth’s corridors in a continuous corridor without dead ends.

Other Attractions

Day Trips

Orléans

Orléans is a city on the Loire River in central France. It was the location along the river that was the reason for the city’s founding in the 100s BC. The river was an important trade route and Orléans emerged as a trading post on this route and the city developed until Julius Caesar destroyed it in 52 BC. The Roman emperor Aurelian rebuilt the city in the latter part of the 2nd century and named it Civitas Aurelianorum after himself. In the fourth century, there were battles in several places in Gaul and thus also in Orléans, where the Alan leader Goar ruled for a time.

More about Orléans

Paris

Paris is the city of cities and the place where romance lives and awakens dreams. Here’s something to come by; whether you come for sights, churches, museums, gastronomy, pleasant strolls or maybe just the romance.

Paris is one of Europe’s largest cities, and you can experience the impressive dimensions everywhere: in the Eiffel Tower, in the large squares and wide boulevards, in the Louvre art collection and not least on a trip to the fantastic castle of the Sun Kings Versailles.

More about Paris

Le Mans

Le Mans is a city in north-west France, probably known by most for its prestigious motor race, which is run over 24 hours each year. The race is a good reason to visit Le Mans, which is also an ancient city whose history goes back to Roman times with the name of Cenomanus. The city became Roman in the year 47 BC, and it became a part of the province of Gallia Lugdunensis. Among other things, the Romans built an amphitheater, which can still be seen, and baths. Le Mans was also surrounded by city walls from the 200s.

More about Le Mans

Geolocation

In short

Chartres CathedralOverview of Chartres

Chartres is a city in northern France, located on the river Eure. Its history goes back to Gallic tribes and even then, it was an important city. The city became Roman in 51 BC, and with the name Carnutum it became a bishop’s seat in the fourth century. Later, Chartres became the regional capital, and throughout the 9th and 11th centuries Normans besieged and burned Chartres. King Philip IV acquired the county of Chartres in 1286, and the city became a significant center of learning in the Middle Ages. In 1528 Chartres became a duchy, and in 1594 King Henry IV was crowned in Chartres Cathedral as the only king not crowned in Reims. Some centuries later, Chartres suffered significant damage during World War II.

Today you can go exploring in Chartres’ city center, where there are several sights in addition to some cozy streets and lovely squares. In Rue de la Mairie you can see the city’s town hall from the 17th century, and from here you can walk along the narrow streets to, for example, the beautiful market pavilion on Place Billard. You can explore several churches worth seeing in the city as well, such as Église Saint-Pierre from the 12th-13th centuries and Église Saint-Aignan from the 16th century. There are several museums in Chartres such as the city center and gallery for glass mosaics and the art museum, the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The art museum is housed in the city’s historic residence for Chartres’ bishop, and its fine collections consist of an abundance of paintings, sculptures, furniture and archaeological finds. It is also interesting to visit the beautiful building.

The Cathedral is the city’s greatest attraction. The cathedral is considered one of the finest Gothic structures in France, and it is included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites. The impressive building was built largely from 1194 to its dedication in 1260, and it was the first building to use buttresses in the construction. The cathedral was never expanded or rebuilt to a significant extent, apart from the northern tower spire, which was built in the early 16th century. Therefore, Chartres’ cathedral also stands as a particularly well-preserved monument from the era of the Gothic cathedrals, and you can e.g. see the many original stained-glass windows that, like the cathedral, date from the 13th century. The mosaics contain the so-called Chartres blue, and they depict Bible history.

About the Chartres travel guide

Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
Published: Released soon
Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English

About the travel guide

The Chartres travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the French city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.

Chartres is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.