Chartres without the cathedral
Jul 7th, 2011, 10:30 AM
#1
Original Poster
Chartres without the cathedral
Hey, I made a report last winter with lovely photos of Chartres cathedral in the snow, and absolutely everybody needs to see the cathedral at least once, the magnificent stained glass, the wonderful carvings on the façade -- it is a must.
But I returned to Chartres last Saturday and did not set foot in the cathedral, even though it is open until 22:00 at this time of year.
What could possibly be of interest in Chartres besides that? Well, here is what I found: http://tinyurl.com/6eg7t9w
But I returned to Chartres last Saturday and did not set foot in the cathedral, even though it is open until 22:00 at this time of year.
What could possibly be of interest in Chartres besides that? Well, here is what I found: http://tinyurl.com/6eg7t9w
Jul 7th, 2011, 11:07 AM
#3
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jul 7th, 2011, 11:24 AM
#4
Original Poster
Yes, it's right across from the former post office, directly in front of the litle church.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q...011-07/005.jpg
What I thought was interesting about it is that it is only the second statue I know of in France that is based on a broken sword. The other one is the statue of Alfred Dreyfus in Paris.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q.../Art/Drey1.jpg
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q...011-07/005.jpg
What I thought was interesting about it is that it is only the second statue I know of in France that is based on a broken sword. The other one is the statue of Alfred Dreyfus in Paris.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q.../Art/Drey1.jpg
Jul 7th, 2011, 05:44 PM
#5
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gorgeous photos and a real inspiration to return. Visited the cathedral in 1999 with my daughter while she was on a research trip for her dissertation for her phd in Medieval History. We had to fit it in on a daytrip from Paris so saw only the Cathedral and the train station. I'd have never guessed there was so much more to see. Now I know! Thanks for all your interesting posts.
Jul 8th, 2011, 05:07 AM
#9
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the gorgeous photos. I visited Chartres in August 2009 and expected the town to be as busy as Paris. But was really surprised when I reached the Cathedral to find the old town was just a quiet medieval village, dominated by the most marvellous cathedral I've ever seen.
I was equally fascinated with the surroundings. The half-timbered houses were beautifully restored, and the little river with it's bridges and water-wheels reminded me of a Cotswold village.
I was equally fascinated with the surroundings. The half-timbered houses were beautifully restored, and the little river with it's bridges and water-wheels reminded me of a Cotswold village.
Jul 8th, 2011, 06:51 AM
#10
Original Poster
One of the great things about the magnificent cathedrals of Chartres, Rouen or Reims is that you almost always have the place to yourself. It makes such a difference after Notre Dame in Paris!
Jul 8th, 2011, 07:39 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Picassiette's House to me is totally awesome - both the history behind the street sweeper who created the art in the house and garden out of bits of brorken pieces he picked up in his daily rounds - just one thing that Chartres offers besides the cathedral - another great great thread of photos from kerouac - incroyable!
Jul 8th, 2011, 11:21 AM
#12
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kerouac: You are making me want to go back to Chartres. Is the "son et lumiere" still on in early October?
Your photos are simply lovely, so evocative, they are attracting us all back to Chartres.
Your photos are simply lovely, so evocative, they are attracting us all back to Chartres.
Jul 8th, 2011, 11:45 AM
#13
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regarding the broken sword of Jean Moulin...could it be symbolic of the betrayal by one of his own that led to his being caught and executed? (though they never found out who) There's interesting documentary shorts on youtube that I was looking at yesterday on Jean Moulin.
Thanks Kerouac. Did you make it out to Pic Assiette?
Thanks Kerouac. Did you make it out to Pic Assiette?
Jul 8th, 2011, 11:50 AM
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I do so love that town. Back in the 1970s I had the opportunity to spend a full day there every year for 8 straight years. I think I covered every inch of the place. It's been about 10 years now since my last trip there - too long!
Jul 9th, 2011, 07:27 AM
#15
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wonderful photos. As usual, you capture something beyond the surface impression to give us a true sense of place. Merci.
For people visiting Paris who want to take a day to have a different experience, a trip to Chartres offers a great deal. It's easy and inexpensive to get there by train and you can walk around easily to visit the cathedral and its surrounding neighborhoods.
A wonderful book for all ages who plan to visit gothic cathedrals and the towns they dominate is Cathedral by David Macaulay. His drawings are superb. It's also available on DVD.
For people visiting Paris who want to take a day to have a different experience, a trip to Chartres offers a great deal. It's easy and inexpensive to get there by train and you can walk around easily to visit the cathedral and its surrounding neighborhoods.
A wonderful book for all ages who plan to visit gothic cathedrals and the towns they dominate is Cathedral by David Macaulay. His drawings are superb. It's also available on DVD.
Jul 9th, 2011, 07:59 AM
#17
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
for a photo op of the cathedral I found when staying long ago in the Youth Hostel or Auberge de Jeunesse on a ridge on the eastern edge of town there is a fantastic view of the cathedral gloriously capping its hill.
