Euro Newbies: Chartres

After the heavy snow of last week, we were glad to see some sunshine in Bagnoles, although it was fleeting between clouds. But the weather was warmer and we were ready to get out of the house. So we decided to visit the cathedral in Chartres. The cathedral of Chartres, or more properly, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres (Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres), is considered the best example of French Gothic architecture and is the best preserved of the Gothic cathedrals with most of its original stained glass windows surviving intact. It was constructed between 1194 and 1250.The cathedral is currently being restored as can be seen in the difference in the white limestone around the rose window and the darker untreated lower three portals.

Outside figures awaiting restoration, showing grey deposits from air pollution.

Inside the front portal, it is easy to see the difference between the cleaned and restored left section of wall and the unrestored righthand section.

Sculpture depicting the ascension of Mary inside Chartres Cathedral.

All the glass from the cathedral was removed in 1939 just before the Germans invaded France, and it was cleaned after the War and releaded before replacing.
While the city suffered heavy damage by bombing in the course of World War II, the cathedral was spared by an American Army officer who challenged the order to destroy it.
Colonel Welborn Barton Griffith, Jr. (of Quanah, Texas) questioned the strategy of destroying the cathedral and volunteered to go behind enemy lines to find out whether the German Army was occupying the cathedral and using it as an observation post. With a single enlisted soldier to assist, Griffith proceeded to the cathedral and confirmed that the Germans were not using it.He rang the cathedral bell to let the Allies know he was inside the cathedral and it was not occupied. The order to destroy the cathedral was withdrawn, and the Allies later liberated the area. Griffith was killed in action on 16 August 1944, in the town of Leves, near Chartres.

Depiction of the crown of thorns being placed on the head of Jesus. Just one of many sculptures carved into the screens that illustrate the life of Jesus inside the cathedral.

Detail of vaulted ceiling where it has been restored.

Of course not all churches and cathedrals are as fortunate as the Chartres Cathedral. On the drive back home we came across the ruins of this old church dedicated to St. Jean.