Chartres history

Foundation and Ancient Roots

The history of Chartres is rooted in deep antiquity. The settlement was initially known as the capital of the Celtic Carnutes tribe, from whom the city's modern name is derived. In the Gallo-Roman era, the city bore the name Autricum and was already a significant administrative centre featuring a forum, an amphitheatre, and a water supply system.

Key Development Factors

The city's development was facilitated by a successful combination of geographical and strategic advantages:

• Geography: The city is situated on the left bank of the Eure River, on a rocky promontory, which provided natural defence and control over river crossings.
• Agriculture: Chartres is located in the centre of the fertile Beauce plain, often referred to as the "granary of France". This guaranteed food security and resources for trade.
• Religious Status: According to legends, even before the arrival of Christianity, this location was a sacred centre for Druids. This spiritual continuity played a decisive role in the city's destiny.

Cultural and Economic Flourishing

By the early Middle Ages, Chartres had established itself as a significant religious centre. A pivotal event that defined the city's future was the donation of a priceless relic to the cathedral in 876 — the Veil of the Virgin (Sancta Camisa) — by the grandson of Charlemagne, Charles the Bald.

The presence of this shrine transformed the city into one of the main pilgrimage centres in Europe. The influx of pilgrims stimulated the economy: inns, souvenir trade, and crafts developed. In parallel, the grain trade flourished, and the famous fairs of Chartres attracted merchants from across the region.

Major Milestones in the History of Chartres

The history of the city is inextricably linked with its religious significance and the development of the French state. Below are key dates that shaped the appearance of modern Chartres.

• 1st Century AD — Under the Roman name Autricum, the city flourishes as an administrative centre with a forum, baths, and an amphitheatre.
• 876 — Charlemagne's grandson, Charles II the Bald, gifts the city a sacred relic — the Veil of the Virgin, making Chartres a centre of pilgrimage.
• 911 — Bishop Gantelme organises a successful defence of the city against Vikings led by Rollo.
• 1006 — Bishop Fulbert founds the famous School of Chartres, which becomes one of the main intellectual centres of medieval Europe.
• 1194 — A devastating fire destroys most of the Romanesque cathedral, but the rescue of the relic inspires residents to build a new Gothic masterpiece.
• 1260 — The solemn consecration of the fully rebuilt Chartres Cathedral takes place in the presence of King Louis IX (Saint Louis).
• 1594 — Henry IV of Navarre is crowned King of France in Chartres Cathedral, a unique exception to the tradition of coronations in Reims.
• 1849 — The opening of a railway line connects Chartres with Paris, giving a powerful boost to trade and industry.
• 1909 — One of France's first airfields is created in the city, establishing the region's status as a cradle of aviation.
• 1944 — During the liberation of the city by American troops, Colonel Welborn Griffith saves the cathedral from artillery shelling by personally verifying the absence of enemy snipers there.
• 1979 — Chartres Cathedral becomes one of the first French monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
• 2003 — Launch of the annual "Chartres en Lumières" (Chartres in Lights) festival, which transforms the city's architectural monuments into light installations.

Stages of City Formation and Development

Chartres has journeyed from a Celtic sanctuary to a modern centre of the perfume industry. Below are the key stages that have had the greatest impact on the city's economic and urban landscape.

• Construction of the Gothic Cathedral (12th–13th Centuries)
  Significance: The erection of the current cathedral after the fire of 1194 not only created an architectural landmark but also solidified the city's structure. The canons' quarter and infrastructure to accommodate thousands of pilgrims formed around the "Upper Town", becoming the foundation of the urban economy for centuries.
• Intellectual Flourishing of the School of Chartres (11th–12th Centuries)
  Significance: The episcopal school turned the city into one of the main centres of Western thought before the emergence of universities. This attracted the elite of European society to Chartres, stimulated book production and the arts, and raised the city's political status.
• Development of Crafts in the Lower Town (Middle Ages – Modern Era)
  Significance: An industrial district ("Lower Town") formed along the Eure River, where tanneries, dye works, and mills flourished. This clear zoning into a religious upper area and an artisanal lower area defined the urban logic of Chartres.
• Status as the Grain Capital of the Beauce Region
  Significance: Its location in the centre of a fertile plain made Chartres the main grain market for Paris. Economic success was consolidated by the construction of grain markets and warehouses, ensuring stable income for the city even during periods of decline in pilgrimage.
• Integration into the Railway Network (1849)
  Significance: The opening of the Paris-Chartres line radically changed the economy. It allowed for the mass export of agricultural products and stimulated population growth. The city began to grow beyond the medieval fortress walls, forming new boulevards and residential quarters.
• Creation of an Aviation Hub (Early 20th Century)
  Significance: The construction of an airfield in 1909 turned Chartres into an important centre for military and civil aviation. This attracted engineering talent and contributed to the technological development of the region in the interwar period.
• Formation of "Cosmetic Valley" (Since 1994)
  Significance: The modern economic boom is linked to the creation of the Cosmetic Valley cluster. The location of production facilities for global brands (such as Guerlain) here reoriented the city's economy towards the high-tech beauty and luxury industry, creating thousands of jobs.

Architectural Evolution and Urban Planning

The appearance of Chartres has been shaped over two millennia, creating a unique ensemble dominated by a medieval structure, complemented by elements from later eras. The city is clearly divided into two historical zones: the "Upper Town" (Ville Haute), where religious and political power is concentrated, and the "Lower Town" (Basse Ville) along the Eure River, formerly the artisan quarter of tanners and millers.

The Middle Ages: Gothic and Half-Timbered Styles

The Middle Ages were a golden age for the architecture of Chartres, defining its recognizable silhouette. It was during this period that the radial-ring layout of streets descending from the cathedral to the river was established.

• High Gothic (12th–13th Centuries): The undisputed dominant feature is Chartres Cathedral (Notre-Dame de Chartres). It is considered the standard of French Gothic architecture thanks to its preserved stained glass windows and sculptural decoration. The Church of Saint-Pierre, formerly part of a Benedictine abbey and known for its light flying buttresses, also belongs to this style.
• Civil Architecture: The Lower Town retains many half-timbered houses (maisons à colombages) with wooden frames, characteristic of the residential buildings of artisans of that era.

Renaissance: Elegance and Decor

In the 16th century, the severe medieval appearance of the city began to soften under the influence of Renaissance ideas. Architects paid more attention to facade decoration and the comfort of residential buildings.

• Renaissance Wooden Architecture: A striking example is the Salmon House (Maison du Saumon) with rich wood carving, which previously housed the fish merchants' committee.
• Stone Mansions: The famous Queen Bertha's Staircase (Escalier de la Reine Berthe) demonstrates the transition to more complex forms: a spiral staircase enclosed in a half-timbered tower, adorned with carved figures in the early Renaissance style.

Classicism and the Modern Era (17th–19th Centuries)

During this period, the city expanded beyond its medieval walls. Fortifications were demolished, and wide boulevards arose in their place, encircling the historical centre (Boulevard Chasles). Architecture acquired severity and monumentality.

• Classicism: The former Bishop's Palace (now the Museum of Fine Arts), located next to the cathedral, is designed in the style of 17th–18th-century Classicism with characteristic symmetry and restrained decor.
• Engineering Structures: In the 19th century, the development of railways brought new materials. The station building and covered markets combined stone with metal structures.

Modernity: Reconstruction and Integration

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Chartres faced the need for restoration after the destruction of 1944 and the expansion of city limits. Modern projects aim to preserve historical heritage while creating a comfortable urban environment.

• Postmodernism and Reconstruction: The administrative centre and new residential areas (such as the Plateau de Beauce) were built taking into account modern urban planning requirements.
• Cultural Objects: The Media Library L'Apostrophe, housed in the former post office building (Neo-Gothic/Eclectic style), represents an example of successful adaptation of a historical building for modern needs with updated interiors.

Historical Figures and Rulers

The history of Chartres is inextricably linked with the names of kings and spiritual leaders who defined the destiny of the city and all of France.

• Fulbert of Chartres (c. 960–1028)
  Bishop, scholar, and theologian.
  Founder of the famous School of Chartres, transforming the city into one of the main intellectual centres of medieval Europe. It was he who began the construction of the Romanesque cathedral, the predecessor of the current Gothic temple, after the fire of 1020.
• Henry IV (1553–1610)
  King of France.
  Chartres holds a unique place in royal history: it is the only French city (besides Reims) where a King of France was crowned. Henry IV accepted the crown here in 1594, as Reims was under the control of his opponents at that time.
• Jean Moulin (1899–1943)
  Prefect of the Eure-et-Loir department, hero of the Resistance.
  He served as prefect in Chartres in 1939–1940. Known for his courage and refusal to sign a document defaming French soldiers imposed by the occupation authorities. The famous "Broken Sword" monument is installed in the city in his honour.

Creators and Artists

The unique atmosphere of the city has inspired poets, artists, and visionaries to create masterpieces that today attract tourists from all over the world.

• Mathurin Régnier (1573–1613)
  Satirical poet.
  A native of Chartres and nephew of another famous poet, Philippe Desportes. Considered one of the creators of classical French satire. His work is permeated with the lively spirit of the era and the observational skills characteristic of the residents of this region.
• Raymond Isidore, known as "Picassiette" (1900–1964)
  Self-taught artist, creator of the "Maison Picassiette".
  A simple municipal worker who spent 30 years of his life decorating his house and garden with mosaics made from broken crockery and glass. Today his creation (Maison Picassiette) is a unique monument of naive art and a popular attraction in Chartres.
• Chaïm Soutine (1893–1943)
  Expressionist painter.
  Although not a native of the city, Soutine frequently visited Chartres in the 1930s. His famous painting "Chartres Cathedral" conveys the majestic and slightly unsettling beauty of the architecture, demonstrating the city's influence on world art.