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Chartres Cathedral holds nearly 2,600 square meters of preserved 12th- and 13th-century stained glass. This is a record for a single religious building.
There are over 150 original windows intact today. They show religious scenes and document the medieval tradesmen who funded them.
Summer months provide the best daylight for viewing the panels. Read our Stained Glass Guide for more on how to understand the glass.
10 minsNo flash allowed
This is one of the oldest windows in the cathedral. It famously survived the 1194 fire. The window displays the legendary "Chartres Blue" glass. Use binoculars to see the intense cobalt blue up close.
15 minsBest in summer
Three large circular windows decorate the West, North, and South facades. They depict the Last Judgment, the Virgin Mary, and Christ in Majesty. The light pouring through the South Rose window shines brightest on sunny summer afternoons.
10 minsView bottom panels
These soaring lancet windows sit directly below the rose windows. They feature tall portraits of kings, prophets, and saints. Look at the bottom panels to find scenes of the medieval guilds who donated the glass.
