The Cathedral of Chartres “Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres”, located in Chartres, about 50 miles (80 km) from Paris, is considered one of the finest examples in all France of the “Gothic” style of architecture. The cathedral is still the seat of the Diocese of Chartres, in the Roman Catholic ecclesiastical province of Tours.
Construction of a new building on the Romanesque foundations was begun in 1145 in a blaze of enthusiasm dubbed the ‘Cult of the Carts.’ During this religious outburst a crowd of more than a thousand penitents dragged carts filled with building provisions including stones, wood, grain, etc. to the site. In 1194 a fire destroyed all but the west front of the cathedral (and much of the town), so that part is in the “early Gothic” style. The body of the cathedral was rebuilt between 1194 and 1220, a remarkably short span for medieval cathedrals. It has a ground area of 117 058 square feet (10 875 m²). Great trip planning resource.
Coordinates: 48°26′50″N, 1°29′16″E
