Introduction to Chartres

97km (60 miles) SW of Paris, 76km (47 miles) NW of Orléans

Many observers feel the architectural aspirations of the Middle Ages reached their highest expression in the glorious Cathédrale de Chartres. Come to see its soaring architecture; highly wrought sculpture; and above all, its stained glass, which gave the world a new color: Chartres blue. It takes a full day to see Chartres.