Rebuilt after a fire in the last 1100's, Chartres Cathedral was built rapidly, completed between 1194-1250. Some in the town who as children had watched the former church burn lived to see the consecration of the new cathedral in 1250. The cathedral stars some of, if not the, most beautiful stained-glass windows in the world. The vision for the cathedral included a focus on the power of God/God's light as experienced pouring through these vividly colored windows. Words and photos cannot capture the immense beauty of the cathedral windows.
Chartres Cathedral is also known for its prayer labyrinth, perhaps the oldest continuing prayer labyrinth in any Christian church. While we were there the chairs in the nave were covering the labyrinth but I was still able to photograph parts of it and pray on this amazing pilgrims' destination.
Our merry band of six Americans left on the 9 am fast train to Chartres from the Montparnass Station. Our friend Greg Meland is a train nut and was like a kid at Disney in the train stations and in the train. You see him below with Linda watching the big board at the Montparnass station waiting for the tiles to flip to indicate our departure platform.
Deb and Gregg Correll joined us in Paris on Monday morning after flying overnight on Sunday and were bravely charging forth on this junket despite some residual jet lag. It was very chilly in the town of Chartres and even chillier in the cathedral. Deb bought a lovely Irish wool sweater at a Celtic shop in town to ward of the bone-chill and Greg bought a hat at the urging of many (he had resisted because it is so similar to Mark's signature hat, but we prevailed upon him and the hat was clearly made for him.)
On our return train to Paris, after a splendid early dinner at a bistro just off the cathedral square, we watched the dusk settle over the greening French countryside. The Chartres restaurant's lower level is also a jazz club on weekends and is comprised of three levels of 800 year old caves that were once related to the cathedral grounds.
A really fun post!! I enjoyed the description as well as the photos. Chartres looks beautiful. I have to say, I have some similar genes to Greg M. I get a thrill from the trains, train travel and train stations in Europe. I can't explain it or put my finger on it but the mood of the station, the flipping of the schedule and the rhythm of trains (either watching or riding) really gives me a thrill. There are of course times when you are rushed, have a mix-up or an anxious journey but that often leaves me feeling like I missed the wonder my train journey in the midst of the tension. As for the cathedral, I believe I've heard dad mention the anomalistic story of the construction. It is incredible to think that a cathedral like that could have burned and then be rebuilt and seen by the same generation. What a fabulous day trip into the country that must have been. I personally have never been outside of Paris in France so it must have been a treat for Deb & Gregg and Greg & Linda!! Such dear and committed friends you had along.
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