Situated on the bank of Eure River, Chartres sits atop on a hill adorned with famous Cathedral. The spires of this Cathedral are landmarks for the surrounding country. The commercial center is fruitful plain of Beauce, the "granary of France", which is to the south east of the city.
Chartres France is, in fact, famous for its cathedrals and churches. This town is recognized by the existence of fantastic cathedrals like Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres. This is considered to be the finest cathedral in France. . Its historical and cultural importance is recognized by its inclusion on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Some other names include the abbey church of St Pierre [1] that dates back to 13th century. Amongst famous churches are St Aignan (13th, 16th and 17th centuries) and St Martin-au-Val (12th century).
Besides the churches and cathedrals, museums also are of great interest in the city. Fine art museum in the located near the cathedral of Chartres is Musée des Beaux-Arts, features ultimate collection of artistic works. It is housed in the former Episcopal palace. Le Grenier de l'Histoire Museum represents the military history of this city. Some other famous names in the list are:
- Le Grenier de l'Histoire Musée, history museum specializing in military uniforms and accoutrements.
- Le Centre International du Vitrail, a workshop-museum and cultural center devoted to stained glass art.
- Muséum de sciences naturelles et de la préhistoire, Natural Science and Prehistory Museum
- Conservatoire du Machinisme et des Pratiques Agricoles, an agricultural museum
The Eure River is a fabulous point which divides into three branches and is crossed by several bridges. A few of them are ancient ones like Porte Guillaume (14th century). Old town contrasts with the new one in terms of the wide, shady boulevards which encircle it and divide it from the suburbs. |
