Chartre

November 22, 2013

I have had Chartre in my top ten must do for 11 years now and it was only on what must now be my tenth or twelfth trip to Paris that I finally got all my connections in line. Child free and a Friday. Sadly the famous (to me anyways) Labyrinth was closed to foot traffic and I had to settle for an informative tour by the somewhat famous Malcolm Miller, who has written several books and lectured world wide on the significant structure that is Chartre Cathedral.

Those that know me might be mistaken to think that I was taking a hike back to my catholic upbringing but truth is this place is way more than a big church dedicated to Notre Dame, Our Lady. This is the most significant medievel stricture for windows and sacred achitecture and divine feminine and soul of education that is easily accessible to you and me.

I stood in the middle of the sacred labyrinth and walked the passages in my mind. I felt like the being there was a journey completed. A wonderful lady from paris, ..., was my guide in absentia. She was unwell that day and could not escort me and further educate me, but her insight and encouragement before and after my visit where valued.

Its not just another tourist spot, but you can be a tourist there. I did not do all the side trips tours and sacristy walks. I was simply happy to be there.

The twists and turns of life, AKA the Chartre Labyrinth

Not a great pic but see so much of the sacred geometry
just by staring at the circles,
and squares and then turn your eye to the colours

Paris is forever a place to visit and slowly but surely work your way around the magnificence of this city. So this trip it was Jardin du Luxemburg on a sunny, pre winters day to observe mass plantings by superorganised gardeners and older couples enjoying the deep early afternoon sunshine, a visit to Saint Sulpice and my ususal mad runs to Galleries Lafayette and Printemps for Lucy, and to get salami in the GL foodhall for Ada!