"Chartres" Top 5 Page for this destination Chartres by MM212

Chartres Travel Guide: 217 reviews and 739 photos

la Cathédrale de Chartres, 28 Dec 2011

Rosace sud, Dec 2011

Located just one hour southwest of Paris, Chartres is a charming Mediaeval city with one of France's most famous Gothic cathedral. The city traces its roots to Celtic times, when it was a mere settlement known as Autrikon, but under the Romans, it became a more prosperous town, with a forum and temples, and was given the Latinised name Autricum. In the 4th century AD it submitted to Christianity along with the rest of the Empire and subsequently saw its first churches rise, including one on the site of the current cathedral. In the 9th century, the Chartres Cathedral received from the Holy Roman Emperor the Sancta Camisia, an important relic, which placed the city and its cathedral among the prime pilgrimage sites in Europe. However, successive invasions and fires repeatedly destroyed the structure, but it was rebuilt each time more extravagantly than the previous one. The last construction, which occurred swiftly between 1194 and 1220, left us with one of the most complete Gothic Cathedrals in Europe, one that has survived nearly intact – with most of its original stained glass windows – to the present day.

Last visit to Chartres: Dec 2011
Intro Updated Apr 10, 2012
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Reviews (38)

Cathédrale de Chartres: les Vitraux Things to Do (37)

No other Mediaeval cathedral in Europe has conserved as many of its original stained glass windows as has the Notre-Dame... more travel advice

Cathédrale de Chartres: la Façade Sud Things to Do (37)

Older than the northern façade by 3 years (i.e. completed in 1227), the southern façade of the transept is very similar... more travel advice

Cathédrale de Chartres: la Façade Nord Things to Do (37)

An elaborately decorated triple arched Gothic portal and a magnificent rose window are the central features of the... more travel advice

Cathédrale de Chartres: Sixth time's the... Things to Do (37)

Thought to have been used for worship since Gallo-Roman times, the site of the Cathedral of Chartres saw five other... more travel advice

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Comments (3)

nani80 Jan 28, 2012 at 2:31 PM Report Abuse

Congratulations on Tip of the Day!
Actually, all the tips and photos are fantastic - especially of the stained glass windows! Amazing job!
Regards, Natasa
TheWanderingCamel Jan 27, 2012 at 9:06 PM Report Abuse

What a wealthmof magnificent mediaeval architecture Chartes possesses - beautifully depicted and described here. Thanks Momo.
BruceDunning Jan 4, 2012 at 1:44 PM Report Abuse

Well-the timing seems right to review your recent pics and comments. We have a trip planned to this area in 2013, so thanks for the great tips and photos. The hotels are other buildings are especially ornate