Chartres Cathedral

Partly built starting in 1145, and then reconstructed over a 26-year period after the fire of 1194, Chartres Cathedral marks the high point of French Gothic art. The vast nave, in pure ogival style, the porches adorned with fine sculptures from the middle of the 12th century, and the magnificent 12th- and 13th-century stained-glass windows , all in remarkable condition, combine to make it a masterpiece.

Forming 106 picture windows in its entirety, 3 rose windows among them, the windows of the cathedral of Chartres cover a surface of 3,150 m2. With the exception of eight windows in the choir, installed during the 18th century, and the four windows of the transept destroyed in 1791, all of the windows of Chartres have been made during the Middle Ages.

After a hour's drive on the highway, take a religious journey to visit the Chartres Cathedral, the archetype of Gothic Architecture, a classified Unesco Heritage monument with its amazing blue stained glass windows, the crypt, the labyrinth and the famous towers.

Your driver guide will initiate you in the fine art of reading Biblical stories depicted in stained glass and point out the details that make Chartres the textbook example of High Gothic Architecture, a sermon in glass and stone.

After the visit of the cathedral, the guide will take you to a walk through the old town, draped on the side of a hill leading down to the river where you will make a stop for coffee (or tea) with a very nice local pastry. (Possible visit of the Maison Picassiette, built in mosaic out of everyday objects, a great example of Naive Art)