Trips from Paris—Historical Architecture Destinations
Welcome to Issue XVI of Historical Architecture Destinations! Today we're diving into three historical architecture trips from Paris.
Overview:
These three historical sites have their own storied past some with Celtic origins and others from the Middle Ages.
Let’s dive in to our first trip to Chartres a popular day trip an hour and half SW of Paris.
1. Chartres Cathedral
Over 2000 years ago, the gallic tribe Carnutes (who gave Chartres its name) occupied this land.
Once a year ancient Druids assembled at a ceremonial site. A well over 100ft deep was discovered underneath the crypt. It's believed to be the ancient ceremonial site for the Druids.
This site would become the future home to at least 5 churches.
Frequent fires destroyed the church and it was rebuilt each time. The first church, built in the 4th century was burned by the Duke of Aquitaine in 743 AD. The second church burned by the Danish Vikings in 848 AD.
Fires swept through Chartres in 1020, 1134, and 1194.
After the 1194 fire only the west front and crypt remained of the once Romanesque church. Construction immediately began on Chartres Cathedral and was nearly complete by 1235, but the church wasn't consecrated until 1260.
Today it’s known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres and has been a pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages.
A garment given by Charles the Bald (Charlemagne's nephew) in 876 AD is said to be a tunic worn by Virgin Mary. This relic resides in the Treasury.
With the world's most complete set (176 pieces) of medieval stained glass, Chartres Cathedral is awe-inspiring both inside and out. It's a landmark of medieval culture and architecture.
Our next trip out of the city center to Versailles is only 40min by car or 1hr by train SW of the city.
2. Versailles
The grounds were first admired by the young and future Louis XIII in 1607.
More than a decade later he built a small hunting lodge that was first used in 1624. But Versailles is inextricably linked to Louis XIV the son of Louis XIII because in 1661 Louis XIV began the transformation of the modest hunting lodge into a lavish complex. And in 1682 the Palace of Versailles was declared the official royal residence and became the de facto seat of the French Court and government.
The palace and grounds were designed as the embodiment of power for absolute monarch King Louis XIV.
After the death of Louis XIV the grand palace was not entirely finished. Renovations and extensions were added by subsequent Kings Louis XV and Louis XVI until in 1789 during the French Revolution Louis XVI and wife Marie Antoinette and their family were ousted back to Paris.
The palace was mostly plundered during the French Revolution and abandoned afterwards.
Napoleon I used it briefly as a summer residence beginning in 1810 but did not restore it. In 1837 King Louis-Philippe wanted to give back to the people of France and he brought Versailles back to life not as a palatial palace but as a museum dedicated to the glories of France. In the early 20th century Versailles hosted the signing of the Treaty of Versailles officially ending World War I.
It has since undergone further renovations and is now a major attraction welcoming almost 15 million people each year. In 2024 it will host the equestrian part of the Olympic Games.
Our third trip out of the city is to the island of Mont Saint-Michel 3.5hrs west of Paris and is often taken as a weekend trip.
3. Mont Saint-Michel
Situated a little over half a mile (1 km) off the coast of Normandy it’s this fortified island is home to its famous Benedictine Abbey atop the rocky outcrop.
The island is completely inaccessible on land during high tide with the highest tidal range in Europe spanning 49 ft (160 m). Mont-Saint-Michel's storied past begins in 708 AD. After having a vision of the archangel Saint Michael, Bishop Aubert built the first sanctuary on the island (then known as Mont Tomb).
On request from the Duke of Normandy, Benedictine monks settled on the island in 966 AD.
A Romanesque Abbey was built. The Abbey rose in popularity and inspired pilgrimages from Germany, Italy, and England. Nicknamed “St. Michael in peril of the sea” as some (including 30 pilgrims in 1318) drowned while crossing.
Also called the “City of Books” Mont Saint-Michel was home to many medieval manuscripts that were made and stored in the Abbey.
The island was fortified by the French in the 13th century. It withstood 30 years of attacks from the English during the Hundred Years’ War. In 1421 it was besieged by the English causing the collapse of part of the church, and rebuilt 100 years later in the flamboyant Gothic style.
In the centuries following, the Abbey fell into disrepair and dissolved during the French Revolution.
Napoleon later ordered it to become a prison where prisoners without trial were sent. When the prison closed in 1860, the Mont fell into further disrepair. In 1874 it was deemed a historic monument and restoration began.
The Benedictine order was re-established in 1966 to honor its one thousand year history.
This enchanting island inspired Gondor’s capital in The Lord of the Rings films and the castle for Disney’s Tangled. Recreate the ancestral pilgrimage and join nearly 3 million yearly visitors to this awe-inspiring island. It’s even possible to stay on the island itself.
Conclusion
With the City of Light as your hub you can travel to three UNESCO World Heritage sites for either a day or weekend trip.
Travel Times from Paris
Chartres: 1.5hr by carVersailles: 40min by car or 1hr by train
Mont Saint-Michel: 3.5hr by car
Want to learn more about Paris? Dive into the Historical Architecture Destinations issue on Paris and journey through three of its historic buildings including the birthplace of Gothic architecture.
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Stunning photos of Mont Saint-Michel and I can see the inspiration for Tangled ha nice work!
Great article!