The Labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral
 

Does anyone know how to arrange to walk the labyrinth at Chartres? I am going with a group of pilgrims in February and would like to be able to do this. <BR>Many thanks

Hi SJ: <BR>Just at Chartres last week. Do you mean the tour of the crypt underneath? If so you go out one of the side doors to the souvenir shop run by the Cathedral. Buy tickets there and wait there for the tour guide. it is in French so if you are not proficient in the language you get a sheet with a translation of the tour guides spoken info from the clerk when you buy your ticket. He will also show you on your sheet which thing he is talking about. <BR>I left my guide book behind so Im not sure which door it was but as you are facing the altar it is to the right and about half way down. (right about the spot where the cross is formed at centre of church..sorry can't remember the right term for this but being a group of pilgrims you probably know to what I am referring. just go out the right side and look for the souvenir shop. It's tiny and at the beginning of the square outside cathedral. <BR>Anyway the tour is very good. The crypt is tombless but you see some of the original Romanesque structures down below the main church. Fascinating. <BR>Regards, <BR>Lynn

Here is a site (thanks to elaine) where you can find out more about the Labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral: http://www.lessons4living.com/chartres_labyrinth.htm Since the labyrinth is often covered by chairs set up in the nave it is not always accessible and few walk it these days. There is another site for the cathedral: http://www.diocesechartres.com/cathedrale/index.html where you can click on "visites" and get info in English. There it talks about arranging group visits and gives an e-mail address. I'm sure you could use that to ask about the possibility of walking the labyrinth. Good luck.

Sorry, I forgot to give you the reference for previous posts about Chartres and the labyrinth. It is <BR>. Chartres cathedral-Guided tours <BR>14 responses; most recent on 07/17/2001, 10:28 am ET <BR> <BR>

We were at Chartres last summer. I recall there are certain hours that the laybrinth is opened to be walked. I was disappointed that we were not there when it was available. Maybe the resources that Betty posted will have the info you need.