Chartres on July Fourth

[htmb]

I could easily visit the Cathedral of Chartres again, and would also enjoy exploring the town a bit more at some point in the future. As Bixa mentioned in her beautifully crafted thread, Chartres and its Cathedral, we took the train to Chartres from Paris on the Fourth of July. It was an easy day trip and a good way to get to spend time experiencing the cathedral.

Finding our way from the train station was easy. We just walked towards the tall spires.







There were interesting shops and buildings to view along the way.










Plus, the obligatory tourist train.




It was nice to see such marvelous colors against the gray sky.

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The town seemed to be just waking up as we arrived close to the cathedral doors.
















At the entrance I found myself wishing I could remember everything I'd read about the cathedral over the years.













I was hoping to see the labyrinth, but there was some work being done on the the floor where I supposed it was normally located.

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Inside, the light fluctuated, depending on my location in the cathedral.













Of course, the stained glass was magnificent. My photography does not do it justice.

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Areas that had been recently cleaned were quite obvious.

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I was beginning to feel the need to get outside and walk around the church grounds.

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Behind the cathedral there was an interesting landscape view.




Time for a Coke break.



















There were a few nice flower beds, too.

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From some of these angles the cathedral looks absolutely massive.




We made a loop around the cathedral,







and took in the architectural features of surrounding buildings.













It was a Monday and many of the shops were closed, as was the market.










After a hearty lunch, it was time to head back to Paris and the top of Tour Montparnasse.

[mich64]

Beautiful photos htmb! I enjoyed both of the reports on the Cathedral and hope to see it for myself one day. Also I think it is pretty special that the three of you were able to enjoy these sites together this summer.

[htmb]

Thank you, Mich. I hope you'll get to travel to Chartres some day, too. I think you'd enjoy seeing the cathedral.

[bixaorellana]

*applause!* This is wonderful coverage, Htmb -- such artistitic documentation. I love the way the first full shot of the cathedral & its famous rose window is preceded by that perfect closeup of the white cosmos. You did a great job of capturing not only the colors of the windows, but their breathtaking size and proportions. Your careful studies of the facade carvings are a treat as well. I have to say, though, what I absolutely adore are your views of the exterior of the cathedral, with the black&whites especially capturing its timeless mass and beauty.