Chartres, the town

Our first day was gloomy and overcast, but the streets of the old town center of Chartres were still magically appealing. A brief walk through town, a stop for lunch, and we continued on our way to Dinan. It's only 1 p.m. We still have plenty of time.


This was our first glimpse of the half-timbered style that is common throughout Brittany and Normandy.

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.


The cathedral sits on top of the hill in the center of the city.




The majority of the original stained glass windows survive intact.