JULY 2: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres

Today we started bright and early with a train ride to Chartres to visit the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres. It was a very beautiful trip to there with a nice country side to take your mind off the city.

When we got there you could already see the cathedral. First through we went to an open air market. I got so really good cheese and case down at a cafe for a drink. There was also a troop acting as Romans for a upcoming performance and a band present.

Later we went to check out the cathedral.  A few facts about the cathedral are:

• There are 176 stain glass windows. Some of the most recognised are the sets of the West Rose, North Rose, and South Rose windows.
• The cathedral holds the Blessed Virgin Mary’s tunic from the time period she had the Messiah.
• The labyrinth is exactly 131 feet in circumference and 40 feet in diameter. It is said that the labyrinth was used by monks who  would take contemplation walks, pilgrims who would meditate, and those of faith who would follow on their knees.
• The labyrinth and the West Rose window are the exact same size and distances from the door that if the west wall fell inwards the window would fall directly on top of the labyrinth.
• The building was recreated in after a fire in 1194 and was finished by 1220.

When we arrived the sight was breath taking. The cathedral was beautiful and had designs so detailed it was surprising they even stayed in take after so many centuries. As a bonus we got to go one a tour of the whole cathedral.

First we went to the crypt underneath (not really a crypt there are windows). There we say many enclaves for praying, replicas of the advancement of the design as its been rebuilt in the early centuries, and an ancient well. As we walked from north to south we learned that this way was taken as the north side was to mean dark and the south meaning light and the idea was that you walk towards the light with the light being God.

We next went to the front of the cathedral (the west side) and got to see major details in the portals. There were little people carved in every space and disciples of representations of men and women in different lights everywhere. Along with these portals there was another 3 on the north side and 3 on the south side. While visiting the north side I found a sculpture of David and Golias.

Once inside we saw the West Rose window; It was truly amazing, especially with its 3 lancet windows. The lancet in the middle even described events of people having to do with the Messiah’s coming.

Walking along there was a window telling the complete story of Noah. Another showed back when there was a long bench where people would exchange money. Apparently this is where we get the name bankers from as the bench was called a banc in french and the people called them banc-ers.

Towards the back there was the center point for where mass was directed. It was spectacular. The heights were amazing the the white walls really bring in light along with the stain glass windows.

Behind that was the Virgin Mary Tunic. The tunic is apparently not whole as it was ripped to piece at one point but some people have returned the pieces.

After the tour I had a nice lunch over in the grass labyrinth outside and enjoyed a spectacular view of Chartres until we left. It was a wonderful day.