Great prices
Great choice from the major Holiday operators
The Market town of Chartreis lies about 60 miles south-west of Paris and it has been famous throughout the Christian would for centuries, thanks to its magnificent cathedral. Chartres Cathedral is perhaps on of the greatest achievements in the history of architecture, it is almost perfectly preserved in its original design and details. Chartres' extensive cycle of portal sculpture remains fully intact and its glowing stained-glass windows are all originals.
The site first gained an influx of pilgrims and fame in 875 when Charles II presented the 'Sancta Camisia' to Chartres. This was the garment supposedly worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Christ. Chartres has since been a very important Marian pilgrimage center and the faithful still come from the world over to honor the relic.
The cathedral has not always been in its current state. The first cathedral of importance burnt down in 1020. Other smaller churches on this site had also suffered the same fate prior. To replace the Cathedral that burnt down in 1020 a new Romanesque basilica, which included a massive crypt, was built under the direction of Bishop Fulbert and later under the direction of Geoffroy de Lèves. This yet again burnt down in 1134 however despite this, the 'Sancta Camisia' miraculously survived. In 1260, the new glorious Chartres Cathedral had risen from the ashes. This is the majority of the building that you can see today although some of the original Romanesque is still visible. It was recognized as a UNESCO would Heritage site in 1979.
The Chartres Cathedral is a must visit for its religious and architectural interest.