Chartres combines culture with the art of living, mixing pleasure with discovery. Its artisanal workshops, which are run by master artists in glass or other kinds of artists, awaken the curiosity of visitors in search of knowledge.
While hanging out in the pedestrian and semi-pedestrian town center, which is especially lively on market days, you will discover numerous old shops with display windows. You will take advantage of this by hunting around at antique and secondhand dealers shops, and you should not hesitate to enter through the doors of Chartres ’artisanal arts shops. During the second week of October, come and discover the Chartres arts and crafts fair; you will find there a hall of national renown, where arts and crafts producers show off their know-how.
The “Artisanales de Chartres” exposition has been, during the past 17 years, a privileged meeting place for artisans and the general public. Over four days, about 500 artisans share their unique know-how and creations with you, and above all, their passion and craft. 150 different activities are offered! You will be astonished by exceptional crafts, because of their mixing of tradition with modernity, most notably, an eco-pole construction that presents all of the latest durable technology that has been developed. It is a unique event in France that is punctuated by daily demonstrations and activities for both children and adults. This gathering takes place every year during the second week of October at Chartrexpo.
Dates: The Chartres Arts and Crafts Exposition takes place every year during the second week of October.
Tel: 02 37 91 57 00
Website: www.les-artisanales.com/
Notre Dame de Chartres is the cathedral that has the most old stained glass windows (2,600 square meters of the same from the Middle Ages). There are 176 windows from that period. The bays that make up part of the west façade (built around 1145-1155), and that of the Virgin Mary (the “Beautiful Window”) (installed around 1180) are true masterpieces when it comes to the Roman art of stained glass. Almost all the others were added between 1200 and 1235.
Although certain windows were gifts from sovereigns and nobles (“Rosace,” as well as 5 bay windows form the north façade, which were offered by Blanche of Castille), 45 were offered as gifts by groups of artisans. Each concern wanted, in most instances, to put its signature at the bottom of each window; in that way they were able to advertise that they were exercising the profession. Those signatures represent veritable gold mines for anyone who wants to linger and discover the Chartres customs and costumes that came out of Middle Ages artisan shops.
The town is also home to other stained glass window art treasures: the Saint Pierre Church, with its unique collection of historiated windows that date back to 14th century, Saint Aignan Church, with its 16th century group and its series of so-called “archeological” windows that was created during the 19th century.
In the Rechèvres quarter, Saint Jean Baptiste Church has become famous for its Max Ingrand windows.
A few steps from the Cathedral, installed under the Loën granaries, are the International Stained Glass Widow Center’s workshop-museum and documents center, which are on the Historical Monuments list; they offer a comprehensive, diversified, and true to life view on stained glass art and techniques. Demonstrations, exhibits, conference visits, and basic workshops for children, different levels of adult training, and an Art History course allow everyone the chance to make an easy approach to the different steps involved in creating a stained glass window, and to be more familiar with the town’s patrimony. It is open every year and has become an obligatory stop when it comes to international activity that revolves around stained glass windows.
5, Rue du Cardinal Pie
28000 Chartres
Tel : 02 37 21 65 72
Fax : 02 37 36 15 34
http://www.centre-vitrail.org
E-mail : contact(at)centre-vitrail.org
Hours
Monday-Friday
9:30 to 12:30, and 1:30 to 6:00
Saturdays
10:00 to 12:30, and 2:30 to 6:00
Sundays and Holidays
2:30 to 6:00
The Stained Glass Window Gallery exhibits and sells creations by Ateliers Loire [Loire Studios], and other windows created by French or foreign artists. It also has a large choice of old stained glass windows. Its specialized bookstore, unique in France, offers more than 400 titles about stained glass. The Gallery also offers a stained glass window activities area with books on models, colored glass, and tools. One can also find a wide choice of stained glass gifts: mirrors, lamps, and sculptures.
Hours
For More Information:
La Galerie du Vitrail
17, Cloître Notre Dame (across from the Cathedral’s north gate)
28000 Chartres
Tel: 02 37 36 10 03
E-mail: galvitrail(at)wanadoo.fr
Stained glass art is a living art; glass artists in Chartres demonstrate that everyday. Taking their talent into account, they not only restore old glass windows but also do creative work for public buildings and private dwellings.
Many artists and stained glass artisans pattern themselves after past masters; in addition, they chose to set themselves up in Chartres to exercise their talent. L’Atelier Lorin, which is the oldest in the city, was founded in 1846 inside the walls of a tannery located along the Eure’s banks; it has never experienced an interruption to its artistic activities. Alfred Manessier’s major stained glassworks has, over the past several years, been an asset to their work.
L’Atelier Loire, where Gabriel Loire conceived and executed more than 800 window plans for prestigious buildings, was founded in 1946 in Lèves and caused the techniques used for glass slabs to become known throughout the world.
Other studios that specialize in the restoration of old historical monuments windows, and in the creation of windows for private dwellings, arduously work and make artistic contributions that lend to Chartres the image of the modern capital of stained glass art. In addition, many of the city’s public buildings are endowed with windows that have been produced in these studios.
To respond to the public’s infatuation with this art form, some master glassmakers organize visits to their studios. Every year, a day is organized when the public is invited to come through.
Atelier Lorin-Hermet-Juteau: Tel: 02 37 34 00 42
Atelier Picol* : Tel : 02 37 28 40 81 – 06 75 21 88 90
Atelier Loire* : Tel : 02 37 21 20 71
Duchesne et Duchesne : Tel : 02 37 99 93 31
Atelier Petit : Tel : 02 37 26 39 70
*Studio that organizes visits for the public.
Illumination – Calligraphy – Artwork Framing
A rare professional who respects tradition!
Come and discover illuminations created on real 24-carat gold leaf parchment, and painted with natural pigment (method used during the Middle ages) tempera.
The studio offers:
Personalized creations: headlings, miniatures, bookmarks, menus, genealogical trees, titles, diplomas;
Year-round illuminations and calligraphy classes. One can find all of this in many art studios and exhibition halls during medieval festivals.
Calligraphy classes:
Saint Arnoult des Bois, Wednesdays, 10:00-11:30
Illiers Combray, Wednesdays, 2:00-3:30
Saint Georges sur Eure, Wednesday and Thursday, 5:00-6:30
La Maison pour Tous de Rechèvres, in Chartres, Friday, 6:30-8:00,
Other classes possible, upon request.
2-day introduction to illumination class, held throughout the year (4 people maximum per training course).
Creation of a miniature on real parchment; laying out of a gold and color leaf, with tempera pigment.
Contact Information:
Monique Manceau
5 Rue du Marchais
Dolmont
28190 SAINT-GEORGES SUR EURE
Tel: 02 37 26 77 82
http://www.enluminure-calligraphie-encadrement-manceau-28.com/
E-mail: monique.manceau(at)wanadoo.fr
[Translate to Anglais:] Monique Manceau
5 rue du Marchais
Dolmont
28190 SAINT-GEORGES SUR EURE
Tél. 02 37 26 77 82
E-mail : monique.manceau@wanadoo.fr
Internet : Cliquez ici
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
