- Chartres is a Cathedral City on the Eure river in the Eure-et-Loir Department in the Centre-Val Region of north central France.
- It is noted for its Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartres and its Labyrinth, built between 1194-1220 CE. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History
- The Carnutes Gallic Tribe had their Capital at Chartres (Carnutum or Autricum), and occupied the area around the River Loire.
- The Annual Assembly of the all the Gallic Druids congregated in a sacred oak grove once a year, to meet and debate issues. They always met in Carnutes territory, either in Orleans, Blois or Chartres.
- The Romans first named the city Autricum, then civitas Carnutum (city of the Carnutes).
Chartres Cathedral
- The Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartres with its famous Labyrinth, was built on the site of the sacred oak grove between 1194-1220 CE.
Saint-Martin-au-Val Sanctuary
- Between 70-80 CE, the Romans built a monumental Gallo-Roman Temple estate in Chartres which was one of the largest sanctuaries in Roman Gaul.
- However, it appears to have fallen into disuse after 130 CE, for reasons unknown. It was then dismantled with the materials being reused elsewhere.
- The site is being excavated and has revealed an extensive hexagonal coffered wooden ceiling made of fir and oak, and a cult site of Diana and Apollo. The site is not yet open to the public.
Chartres Cathedral