The Gothic Marvel that is the Cathedral of Chartres in Central France 

While Notre-Dame de Paris is France’s best-known church, Chartres Cathedral is perhaps even more impressive for its architecture and its resilience to the test of time…and flames. 

The cathedral we know today was built toward the middle of the 12th century although a religious monument had been standing in Chartres since the 4th or 5th century. A number of fires devastated the various churches that were built there but the façade and towers of today’s monument were erected from around 1145.  

Although its construction began 30 years after Notre-Dame de Paris, its sheer, monumental size and dizzying height show the era’s desire to erect larger and brighter monuments to express the religious fervor of the faithful. Notre-Dame de Chartres became one of the first great Gothic cathedrals. Its nave measures 16.40 meters and is the widest in France! As for its vault, it rises to 37.50 meters. It brings together admirable treasures of stone, glass and metal magnificently restored and preserved. In 1979, it became the first cathedral to be listed with UNESCO’s World Heritage. 

Here are some interesting facts about Chartres’ cathedral. 

1. Innovative architecture 

In 1194, after yet another fire, the reconstruction involved ground-breaking architectural techniques, including ribbed vaults – arches that cross diagonally – and, most importantly flying buttresses. The technique was so successful that other cathedrals in France, such as Amiens, Reims and Beauvais, were built on Chartres’s model. Thus, the Chartres Cathedral played a pivotal role in the Gothic movement in France. 

In 1836, another fire destroyed the roof and its wooden framework which was called “the forest”. To avoid any further disaster, a metallic roof structure was built, showcasing ground-breaking construction techniques yet again. The Centre des Monuments Nationaux has opened up the charpente to visitors. 

2. Two different belltowers 

The belltowers are particularly impressive and not only because of their remarkable height but also because they look completely different. The “Clocher Vieux” is the oldest and was built in 1150 which makes its height of 103m an astonishing architectural feat for that time. The “Clocher Neuf” was struck by lightning and rebuilt in 1513 in flamboyant gothic style with lace-like stonework. The Centre des Monuments Nationaux has also opened up the towers to visitors who can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view from the top. 

3. A precious relic 

The veil of the Virgin is the most precious relic of the cathedral. It was gifted by Charles the Bald in 876 and preserved in the Holy Shrine. When the shrine was destroyed, contemporaries were surprised to note that it was a veil meant to cover a head and not a shirt and that it was wrapped in another fabric which was subsequently called the veil of Saint Irene. 

4. Native American gifts 

Among the treasures of the cathedral are the wampums, shell necklaces that made up ex-voto offerings given by Native American nations in the 17th century. 

5. A reused rood screen 

Like other rood screens of the same period, the one in Chartres was dismantled and cut into pieces, which were reused in the floor of the nave of the cathedral. During later renovation work, the pieces were rediscovered and are now exhibited in the chapter room of the Saint-Piat chapel. 

6. The reopening of the Treasury 

After being closed for 23 years and seven years of work, Chartres Cathedral reopened the doors of its treasury to the public on September 21 2024. After meticulous research and restoration, nearly 150 objects or sets of objects dedicated to the celebration and decoration of divine service, as well as precious works, are beautifully presented in the Saint-Piat chapel which dates back to the 14th century and had never been opened to the public before.  

While many historical objects of the treasury have been stolen or destroyed over the years, the collection that is now presented is made up of later orders and gatherings of wealth. Some of the most noteworthy pieces included a royal child’s armor or the Saint-Aignan tabernacle.