Chartres and the last day in France
It rained overnight in Paris, and I didn’t really feel like a run after only six hours sleep. In fact, it took about an hour to reorganize everything, along with the hand washing I had done. I think I will have to find a laundromat in London, although when I am going to find the time to wash I don’t know. I hung the camera from my shoulders in front, flung the backpack on and tightened the belt, grabbed my satchel and headed off towards the metro and Montparnasse.
The trip was really too easy and not expensive. The Mercure was a good deal and as dependable as Mercures always are, and it turned out to be close to the station and the Cathedral — well, I knew it because that is why I booked it, but all distances can be deceptive on a map. I spent some time making sure I was organised, grabbed the camera and headed for the town.
I really regret not doing as much research as I should, because there was a huge amount to see apart from the Cathedral. I should have had the time to visit the glassmaking studios, because the art has been revived and Chartres glass is once more famous. Oh well, a good reason to return.
I had a leisurely lunch and then window shopped before spending about two hours in the Cathedral. I was a bit shy about taking the tripod in, so I improvised when the light got down to impossible levels. I walked the labyrinth for about thirty minutes, as a prayerful pilgrim — an interesting process!
The windows don’t disappoint.
I had a shower and did a formule dinner, but with a nice bottle of wine to finish the trip with (I suspect it will be beer in London because the money is running out). It was still light so I had a wander, then grabbed camera and tripod and headed for the cathedral. It was simply breath taking and it is difficult to describe the sophistication and beauty of the display. Thank the good Lord for the camera. I recorded about five minutes, so I’ll put a link to Vimeo in this post when I get home.
