About this experience
One of the most picturesque cities in France, quiet Chartres seems to be created for sophisticated connoisseurs of beauty, refined souls, and curious minds. Here reigns the spirit of history and the real Middle Ages. I am the only guide-keeper of the key to the underground crypt of the Chartres Cathedral, and on my tour you will not be passive listeners: you will learn to 'read' the church stained-glass windows and interpret stories from the point of view of residents of another era, see the architecture of old quarters, and enjoy a walk that will transport you to the unexplored past for a few hours.
What to Expect
Chartres Cathedral
Art historians call it the 'Gothic king': it is the only medieval cathedral in the world that miraculously preserved almost intact, and here is preserved one of the greatest Christian relics - the Veil of the Virgin. With my help, you will learn to read the stained glass roses and decipher messages from the 13th century, which the cathedral canons hid in symbols on colored glass.
Underground Crypt
You will breathe the damp air in the walls of the largest crypt in France, where we will approach the Veil of the Virgin so closely that you can see the interweaving of threads of ancient woven fabric. In the silence and semi-darkness of the underground, I will tell you stories about how a brave girl defended the first Christians here, and three canons survived under the smoking ruins of the cathedral.
Bishop's Estate
In Chartres, there is its own 'Vatican' - a small city built in the 12th century around the bishop's cathedral, who wanted to mark the boundaries of his possessions. Behind the golden wrought-iron grille, you will see cascading garden terraces overlooking the city, a grassy labyrinth where ordinary children often play today, and a palace with a chapel and a prison. Enjoying the picturesque views of ancient steep-roofed houses from the height of the Chartres hill, you will learn chilling stories of medieval justice.
Medieval Quarter
The narrow streets and half-timbered houses of the city store not only the stories of common people - washerwomen, butchers, water carriers but also encrypted messages. For the uninitiated, they look like just amusing images, but they intertwine philosophy, humor, manners, and the life of a medieval person. Why did the crocodile suddenly grow rabbit ears, why did the people of Chartres not love radish with carrots - these and many other discoveries await you on the walk.
If we are on the same wavelength, then I await you in Chartres - with the keys to the Chartres Cathedral!
Organizational Details
- Getting from Paris to Chartres you need to do independently. There are two ways:
- Train from Montparnasse station in Paris (travel time is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, the cost of an adult ticket is 18€ one way)
- Taxi: from 120€ (depends on the driver and car) - The tour can be extended to visit even more interesting places in Chartres. The cost of an additional hour of the tour will be 90€ per group.
