Cathedral of Chartres

The Cathedral of Chartres ("Cathedral of Our Lady in Chartres," French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres ), located in Chartres, at 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.

The cathedral has been inscribed by the UNESCO on the list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.