The church was built on top of an ancient amphitheater. The first written mention of its existence goes back to the beginning of the 12th century. Saint André was then in a suburb that was not integrated into the town until the end of the 12th century, at the time of the construction of an enclosing wall.
The oldest sections of this church belong to the beginning of the 12th century. At that time it was a collegiate church administered by a chapter made up of 12 canons. Since the neighboring church, Saint Nicholas, was unable to meet the needs of its parish, an agreement was reached whereby the inhabitants could make use of the collegiate church. The church then experiences successive expansions. At the beginning of the 13th century, a 46 feet wide arch is thrown on top of the river to support the choir loft. It is reconstructed during the 16th century by Jehan de Beauce; then expanded in 1612 with an apsidal chapel that stretched across du Massacre Street.
The church, considered a national asset during the Revolution, is closed down in 1791. It is used as a fodder warehouse by cavalry barracks stationed along the Eure’s right bank.
Poorly maintained, the apsidal chapel crumbles down during 1805. Then the choir loft section and the arch are demolished in 1827. In 1861, a fire ravages the whole structure. Handed back over to the town during 1883, the church is then turned into an equipment storage warehouse.
During the Second World War, occupying German troops requisitioned the church so they could stock it with supplies and equipment. When they left Chartres on August 16, 1944, they set it on fire. Successive demolitions have only allowed for the survival of sections that correspond to its pre-13th-century condition (except for its Saint Ignace Chapel, in the north section, which was completed in 1513).
Nowadays, the Saint André Collegial Church is home to numerous HYPERLINK events and meticulously cared for gardens.
Mairie de Chartres
Place des Halles
28000 Chartres
Standard tous services :
Tel. :+33 (0)2 37 23 40 00
Fax : +33 (0)2 37 23 41 99
Heures d'ouverture
Du lundi au vendredi : 9 h 00-17 h 00
Le samedi : 9 h 00-12 h 30
