SANCTUARY
Our exploration of the sanctuary has to be in two parts. There are these views from the crossing where we can appreciate the rood cross above, and the side panels of the choir. We notice too the beautiful high clerestory apse windows, and the ornamental detailing of the columns. [Photo2 Credit: M_Strasser Requested] PLAN
S2. SIDE WALLS AMT **
The North and South wall of the choir are lined with large bas reliefs depicting Biblical scenes – three on each side. The reliefs were sculpted by Charles-Antoine Bridan in 1787. An old book by Benjamin Winkles lists eight bas reliefs: (North side) 1. Isaiah announces to King Achaz that a virgin will bear a child; 2. The Adoration of the Shepherds; 3. Presentation of Jesus in the Temple; [4. The Council of Ephesus]. (South Side) [1. Conception of the Holy Virgin]; 2. The Adoration of the Magi; 3. The Descent from the Cross; 4. Vow of King Louis XIII. I suspect the two missing panels were removed with the later addition of doors through the wall into the sanctuary. [Photo Credit: Google Maps-Hoyez Bernard]
S3. CHOIR PULPIT
To further explore the Sanctuary we need to enter through one of the side gates through the Choir Wall from the ambulatory. This Southern entry comes in by the carved wooden chancel pulpit. [Photo Credit: Google Maps: Pierre Leroy]
S4. SOUTH CLERESTORY WINDOWS
Looking up above the choir, we see that the line of clerestory windows continues, here a mixture of colourful stained glass and grisaille windows. The stained glass windows here depict at left: St Vincent and St Paul, and at right: St John the Evangelist / St James the Great, and the Nativity / Flight into Egypt. [Photo Credit: Wikipedia-La Passant]
S5. APSE HIGH EAST WINDOWS
The five upper apse windows form a brilliant display. From left they depict: • Ezekiel, David and Cherubim; • Aaron, Angel; • The Annunciation, Visitation and Nativity; • Moses, Isaiah and an Angel; • Daniel, Jeremiah and Cherubim. [Photo Credit: M_Strasser Requested]
S6. APSE VAULTING LK
The simple vaulting seen throughout this Cathedral continues to feature in the apse. Here we get a close view of the round boss.
S7. APPROACHING THE HIGH ALTAR AMT
The marble statue, L’Assomption (1771) by the sculptor Charles-Antoine Bridan, adorns the High Altar. The Baroque style, very popular at the time (1600-1750), is extraordinarily dynamic and overpowering!
S8. HIGH ALTAR AMT
The white marble sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Chartres, and more specifically Mary’s Assumption into Heaven. Her gaze is upward towards heaven as angels hover at her feet. [Photo1 Credit: wiki2-Loïc LLH] ; Photo2 Credit: M_Strasser Requested]
This concludes our visit to this amazing Chartres Cathedral. The Cathedral also has an extensive and interesting Crypt, but that will have to wait for another time.
CONCLUSION
Chartres Cathedral is world-famous, and for good reason. I hope you have enjoyed visiting it with me.
None of the photographs on this site are mine. There are two main contributors: Larry Koester, and Aidan McRae Thomson with whom I have enjoyed working previously. Ownership is indicated by the initials LK and AMT in the titles. The original photos can be found with these links:
LK: https://www.flickr.com/photos/larrywkoester/albums/72157717361099381/with/50829998676/
AMT: https://www.flickr.com/photos/amthomson/albums/72157623287719906
I always find Wikipedia helpful with my cathedral sites, and this has been particularly so with Chartres Cathedral. I especially note the sites:
Chartres Cathedral : https://wiki2.org/en/Chartres_Cathedral , and
Stained Glass Windows of Chartres Cathedral : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stained_glass_windows_of_Chartres_Cathedral
I have used a large number of photographs of the stained windows on this last site, available under CCL licensing. Many of these excellent photographs were taken by ‘Micheletb’. I have been unable to contact Michele, but have labelled her photos Mtb with an implied reference to this site.
I am very grateful to the above photographers, and to others who have made their photographs freely available.
I also express my thanks to my wife Margie who dutifully reads through all my websites and checks the typing.
I take little credit for the text which comes from a variety of different sources including the invaluable Wikipedia. I apologise for any incorrect translations due to my inadequate boyhood French!
I would be glad to receive any comments, criticisms or corrections to this site. The best websites are those which contain no errors!
Chartres Cathedral has its own website with the link
Site created 03/2022
Paul Scott