Photo galleries of Jill's Images of the Chartres Cathedral
Jesus healing a blind man, Choir sculpture
Cathedral Staff
The Bishop is Monseigneur Michel Pansard
26, place Jean Moulin, B. P. 244 28005 Chartres Cedex
Telephone: 02 37 21 19 92 Fax 02 37 21 33 19
From US: 011 33 2 37 21 19 92 Fax 011 33 2 37 21 33 19
http://www.diocesechartres.com
eveche@diocesechartres.com
The Rector is Curé Dominique Aubert
The Secretary of the Parish, Mme Valérie MARAIS, has an office at 16, Cloître Notre-Dame.
From US: 011 33 2 37 21 59 08; Fax 011 33 2 37 21 99 95.
Gilles Fresson is the Attaché de Coordination. His assistant is Madame Valérie Marais
The office is open Monday through Saturday from 9h30-12h00 and 14h00 to 17h30.
http://www.diocesechartres.com; http://www.diocesechartres.com/cathedrale
cathedrale@diocesechartres.com
Communauté de Chemin Neuf
20, rue du Cheval Blanc 28000 Chartres
Telephone: 02 37 20 01 01
http://www.chemin-neuf.org
This is an ecumenical and international community of theological students studying philosophy, local priests, various committed members of the larger community, and other clergy. They invite all who would like to to join them in singing the office of vespers in the cathedral each weekday evening at 7:00 pm. Click here for more information about vespers and a translation of the service from French into English.
Concerts in the Cathedral
Recorat of Chatres Cathedral
02 37 21 59 08 From the United States: 011 33 2 37 21 59 08
Throughout the year various concert and other musical events take place in the cathedral. Many are free. For information about concerts, or to inquire about scheduling a concert, use the number above.
Confessions
There is a priest available for confessions every day (except Sunday morning) from 10h00-11h30 and 15h00-18h00.
You can find his "office" just past the chapel with Notre Dame de Pilier on the north side of the apse.
Crypt Tours in French (with an English handout)
Unless you attend a service in the crypt, this is the only way to visit. Tickets are on sale at Crypt bookstore on the south side of the cathedral (in the corner). Check ahead of time to make sure that the times haven't changed.
To the crypte, south entrance
From April 1st. to October 31st…
At 11 a.m. (except Sundays and feast days)
2:15, 3:30, 4:30 p.m.
and 5: 15 p.m. (from June 22nd. to September 21st.)
From November 1st. until March 31st…
At 11 a.m. (except Sundays and feast days)
and 4: 15 p.m.
For group visits…Telephone 02 37 21 56 33
The crypt is closed on January 1st, June 21st, and December 25th.
Donations: Ministry of Chartres Cathedral
can be made to the Diocese by contacting:
Association Diocésaine de Chartres
Dernier de L'Église
1, rue Saint-Éman
28000, Chartres FRANCE
http://www.diocese-chartres.com
Donations: Financial Help with Restoration
By the west door is a lighted stand with a (reversed) copy of the Chartres labyrinth on the top. There is a place to make a donation. The money goes to help fund restoration costs.
You can also donate to:
Les Amis de la Cathédrale de Chartres/The Friends of the Chartres Cathedral
www.amiscathedrale.com
Questions in English or French can be directed to: acchartres@aol.com
Gifts to the Amis are recognized by US government.
You can also mail a donation to:
Les Amis de la Cathédrale
BP 391
28007 Chartres FRANCE
If you would like to join the Amis de la Cathedral, you can send an annual donation for 30 euros (active member) or 80 euros (membre benefaiteur/benefactor).
Information about services and other Holy Week activities related to the Chartres Cathedral.
The cathedral is open from 8h30 to 19h30 each day.
I love to be in the cathedral when it first opens (be waiting at the south side door which is often opened first)and from 5:30 on in the evening when there are less tourists visiting than at other times.
The Labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral
Extensive information about the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral including availability, usage, and some historical background.
Labyrinth Tours
See Tour Guide for the Labyrinth (English Speaking) below.
Contact Michelle Campbell at labyrinthexperience@yahoo.com
These are posted on the gate outside the west doors and inside the cathedral next to each set of doors. See service times below for more information.
Practical tips for those interested in taking pictures while visiting the cathedral.
Pilgrimages
Faith, Hope and Love Global Ministries offers annual one-week pilgrimages at the Chartres Cathedral. Jill and Tim Geoffrion will next be leading a pilgrimage retreat from October 3-10, 2009.
Pilgrims come individually and in groups to Chartres throughout the year. There are several annual pilgrimages that attract large numbers of pilgrims:
The Tamil Pilgrimage in May
The Student Pilgrimage (in the footsteps of Charles Péguy) from Paris
The Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Christianity, the Monday of Pentecost .
The Recorat released (in 2009) a DVD about these pilgrimages. You can purchase it in the Crypt Bookstore, just inside the west entrance to the cathedral on the north side.
Prayer Candles
Candles are available for a donation at various locations throughout the cathedral. In addition to being a wonderful votive offering, I find that these make wonderful gifts. When I have brought candles from the cathedral to those I have prayed for, they have been greatly appreciated.
Prayer To Our Lady of Chartres (Found in the Notre Dame de Pilier Chapel)
O Immaculate Virgin
who births to grace and glory
all the beloved of God,
deign now to gather me deep into your mother's breast
and so to form me in you
that at last I may become like Jesus!
Roof Tours (Tours of "the high places" given by the government tour guides)
Tours of the roof can be arranged through the Service departemental de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine d'Eure et Loir
15, place des Epars 28000 CHARTRES
Telephone from the US: 011-33-2 37 36 45 85 , or in France:
02 37 36 45 85
sdap.eure-et-loir@culture.gouv.fr or cathedraledechartres@monumentnationnaux.fr
If you want a sure response call or use snail mail; it seems that emails are sometimes not answered.
Service Times (All services are in French)
Service times and locations for the week are listed on large posters near each of the doors. These change according to the season, so it is always a good idea to check on time and location!
If you are in the cathedral at 19h00 (7 PM), join the group that meets for vespers in the front of the nave. The 25 minute service is beautiful.
You can feel the service even if you don't speak French. You can also follow along in the song books that are used.
Services in the crypt are lovely! You can usually go early and sit quietly. Enter through the door on the north side of the church (outside) at the bottom (west side) of the north porch stairs.
Lundi/Monday
Messe (Mass in French): 11h45, 18h15
Vêpres (Sung Vespers in French): 19h00 (Communité du Chemin Neuf)
Mardi/Tuesday
Messe (Mass in French): 9h00, 11h45, 18h15
Vêpres (Sung Vespers in French): 19h00 (Communité du Chemin Neuf)
Mercredi/Wednesday
Messe: 11h45, 18h15
Vêpres (Sung Vespers in French): 19h00 (Communité du Chemin Neuf)
Jeudi/Thursday
Messe: 11h45, 18h15
Vêpres (Sung Vespers in French): 19h00 (Communité du Chemin Neuf)
Vendredi/Friday
Messe: 9h00, 11h45, 18h15
Vêpres (Sung Vespers in French): 19h00 (Communité du Chemin Neuf)
Samed/Saurday
Messe: 11h45
Messe anticipée le Dimanche: 18h00
Dimanche/Sunday
Messe grégorienne: 9h15
grand'messe: 11h00
Check in the cathedral for evening mass times, these may change according to the season.
Temperature in the Cathedral: Dress Warmly
It is often cold in the cathedral, even in the fall and spring. If you are planning to spend any extended time in the cathedral, wear layers. If you get cold easily, bring a scarf and gloves! When visiting in winter, be aware that the heat is only turned on occassionally. The grills for the heat are in the north transept close to where the candles are sold.
Tour Guide for the Cathedral (English Speaking): Malcolm
Miller
Guided lectures in English
12 noon and 2:45 p.m. (not on Sundays)
Minimum : 12 participants.
Meet in the cathedral at the gift-shop
Private tours (starting around 125 euros) can be arranged:
26, Rue des Ecuyers 28000 CHARTRES
Tel : 02 37 28 15 58 (+ 33 2 37 28 15 58) (US: 011 33 2 37 28 15 58)
Fax : 02 37 28 33 03 (+ 33 2 37 28 33 03) (US: 011 33 2 37 28 33 03)
Email: millerchartres@aol.com
02 37 21 75 02 Fax: 02 37 36 51 43 visitecathedrale@diocesechartres.com
You can rent an audio guide for the cathedral in the Crypte Bookstore near the west doors or at the tourist office. They require that you leave a driver's lisence or passport there while you have the audioguide. You need to start the audio tour at least one and a half hours before closing. It includes a good basic introduction to the cathedral as well as a detailed description of the choir sculptures. Visits are not allowed during religious services when the nave is used (particularly Sunday mornings). A ticket for the audioguided tour is included in the Chartres Pass.
Tour Guide for the Labyrinth (English Speaking)
Starting from Gare Montparnasse, Paris most Fridays between April-November.
Contact Michelle Campbell at labyrinthexperience@yahoo.com
or by phone: +33 1 53 82 01 30. From the US: 0 11 33 1 53 82 01 30. In Paris: 01 53 82 01 30
Michelle has been walking the labyrinth at Chartres for over 10 years and has developed a tour which
incorporates its history and symbolism.
Tower Visits
Telephone in France: 02 37 21 22 07 Fax 02 37 36 08 80
9h30-12h00; 14h00-16h30 or 17h30 depending on the season. Sunday afternoons only 14h00-16h30 or 17h00 depending on the season.
Free the first Sunday afternoon of the month between October 31 and May 31.
Climb the steps and visit the North Tower of the Cathedral. It is a wonderful way to get to know another part of the cathedral and to wonder at the work of the masons who started building this tower in 1138 as well as those who rebuilt it after a fire (from 1506-15130. On the way to the top you can stop by an interior room and sit for a while on an upper level porch. The views of the town of Chartres and surrounding Beauce coutryside are magnificent from the upper walkways.
The desk where you can buy a ticket is found inside the cathedral in the north ambulatory of the nave (go in the doors in the west, take the small steps on your left and you'll be right there). It costs approximately E 8,00 for adults, E4,50 for students from 18-25. Free for children under 18. Reduced price for groups or with the Chartres pass. Reservations are requested for groups.
Visiting the Cathedral: Tours in French
Service "Accueil-Visites" de la cathédrale :
Tél.
: 02 37 21 75 02 (+ 33 2 37 21 75 02) US: 011 33 2 37 21 75 02
Fax : 02 37 36 51 43 (+ 33 2 37 36 51 43) US: 011 33 2 37 36 51 43
http://www.diocesechartres.com/cathedrale
visitecathedrale@diocesechartres.com
Yves, The Cathedral Singer
If you go to Chartres Cathedral, you will probably meet Monsieur
Dartus Yves. He looks like a beggar, but don't be fooled. He has stood
in for an angel many times. When I've been in Chartres researching the
cathedral, he has given me articles I hadn't found anywhere else.
He has connected me with some wonderful people I would never have met otherwise.
I would encourage you to put some Euros in his shell, but when I asked
what he would really like, he said, "Winston cigarettes for my brother." I prefer to give him chocolate. His
brother also collects U S state quarters. Please say hi for me. "Jill
dit bonjour---Jeel deet bone-joor"
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