Chartres Cathedral

The Cathedral of Chartres (which is actually the "Cathedral of Our Lady in Chartres," in French: Cathedral Notre-Dame de Chartres ), about 50 miles from Paris (= one hour by train), is considered the finest example in all France of the "high Gothic" style of architecture. Construction of the cathedral was begun in 1145, but a fire in 1194 destroyed all but the west front of the cathedral (and much of the town), so that part is in the "early Gothic" style. It was rebuilt between 1205 and 1220.