Monday, May 20, 2013

Chartres, our first stop

Our first full day was also the day of our longest drive. We picked up our car and were on the road from Paris to Dinan, a town in Brittany 400 kilometers (250 miles) to the west. Less than four hours, if you take the main autoroute.

We didn't need to be there until dinner time. That meant there should be plenty of time for side trips and stops on the way. Right?

Our first stop was in Chartres, home of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres). The current cathedral was constructed mostly between 1194 and 1250. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres from a distance
The cathedral sits on top of the hill in the center of the city.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres inside
The majority of the original stained glass windows survive intact.

No comments:

Post a Comment