NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL

In the middle of wheat fields, like a sea of gold caressed by the sun and the wind, rise the asymmetrical bell towers of Chartres cathedral. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, it shines beyond the borders. Notre-Dame de Chartres is both a place of worship and an architectural masterpiece. Often destroyed by fire, and always rebuilt with the same magnificence, the cathedral has survived the centuries and wars. With its architecture blending Romanesque and Gothic styles, Chartres Cathedral is full of secrets, and to give you a glimpse of its history, engraved in Berchères stone, the diocese organizes highly instructive guided tours. Even today, it is being renovated, inside and out. But one can still admire the many elements of this cathedral which is one of the beautiful representatives of Gothic architecture, notably :

Its sculptures of unprecedented finesse, which constitute the largest set of sculptures of this period and are in an exceptional state of preservation. The nine portals surrounding the cathedral are guarded by sculptures in Lutecian limestone imported from the quarries of Paris. They represent great figures of the Christian faith, whose faces and the drapery of their clothes seem to come to life. These figures with striking details re-enact scenes from the New and Old Testaments.

Its stained glass windows, whose luminous blue color has made Chartres famous. Like the sculptures, the magnificent stained glass windows of Chartres Cathedral are among the most complete of the medieval period. In total, this set occupies a gigantic surface of 2 600 m². Mainly executed in the 13th century, between 1210 and 1250, it is remarkably well preserved. The three windows above the Royal Portal date from an earlier period, since they were executed between 1145 and 1155. During the two world wars, the precious stained glass windows of Chartres Cathedral were dismantled and placed in a safe place. First in the crypt, then, as the German troops approached, the boxes of stained glass were transported to the castle of Fongrenon, in the Dordogne, where they were hidden in underground quarries.

Its crypt of incredible dimensions. Named after the bishop of Chartres who ordered the construction of a new building after the cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1020, Fulbert's crypt is the third largest in the world. With its 230 m length, it is also the largest in France. It is composed of several chapels that invite the visitor to meditation, and it gives to see wall paintings dating from several periods. The choir of the cathedral hides another crypt from an earlier period, probably built in the 9th century by the Carolingian church and called the Saint-Lubin crypt.

Its circular labyrinth. This geometrical figure made in the 12th century is located in the center of the nave, between the^3rd and^4th bays. The labyrinth is often hidden by chairs, so don't miss this emblem of Chartres cathedral. It evokes Greek mythology and is probably inspired by the legend of the Minotaur. Composed of 272 white slabs of Berchères stone, it invites the visitor to make a pilgrimage inside the cathedral. It can also be perceived as a meditative journey evocative of human existence.

The "Veil of the Virgin", a holy relic that King Charles the Bald, grandson of Charlemagne, donated to the cathedral in 876. Also known as the "Holy Shirt", this silk veil is said to have been worn by Mary at the Annunciation. This precious relic is now preserved behind a magnificent gilded glass case. Inaugurated with great fanfare in October 2020, the reliquary created by the designer Hubert Le Gall reveals the Virgin's Veil through a sublime scenography. Adorned with stained glass and bearing the blue of Chartres, Le Gall's showcase meets two major constraints: to highlight the relic while preserving it from the assaults of time.

Following a vow made while his son was ill, the writer Charles Péguy undertook a pilgrimage on foot from Paris to Chartres on June 14, 1912. After his death in 1914, his friends chose to follow in his footsteps by meditating on his poems. The student pilgrims are more and more numerous. The Cardinal of Paris, Monsignor Verdier, gave his consent to a student, a companion of Saint Francis, who organized times of sharing called chapters. From then on, pilgrimages would take place every year, even during the war. In 1991, Father Soubrier, the bishop who accompanied the Student Mission, created a new formula for pilgrimages, now taking place on Palm Sunday. It gave more responsibility to the students in the organization. The World Youth Days in Paris in 1997 and especially in 2000 gave a new dynamic to the pilgrimage, which now began with a walk from Paris. Numerous traditional hostels welcome pilgrims, including the former Maison Saint-Yves (1, rue Saint Éman - Tel.: 02 37 88 37 40 - www.maison-st-yves.com), which used to welcome pilgrims from Chartres and has become a traditional hostel.