In
Chartres, several places of worship from various periods call our
attention. From the high
Middle Age crypt of Saint-Martin-au-Val to Saint-Jean-Baptist de
Rechèvre built right after the second war world. Saint
Pierre, "Saint Père en Vallée" until the French
Revolution, is the most remarkable by its architecture and its stain
glasses windows. This
Benedictine Abbey did benefit from the generosity of Sainte
Bathilde, Clovis wife. Unfortunately
it has been first destroyed by the Norman's and then by several
burning and by the 1134 one in particular which destroyed the all
town.
After the
construction of the belfry-donjon, probably during the 10th century,
the new choir has been elaborated around 1150.
It's in
that time frame that the grave of the Deacon Gilduin is founded.
Bishop nominated in Dol, he died
in the Abbey of Saint Pierre, Saint Père en Vallée, on his return
from Rome, having renounced in front of the Pope himself to his
important duty. Because of
that, pilgrims came on his grave bringing the necessary resources to
keep the building going.
Just before
1200, the north part and then the south part of the nave were built.
Along the 13th century, the style is very close from the architecture
of the Cathedral. The
upper part of the choir is then built during Saint Louis. It's a
very beautiful piece of rayonnant architecture.
The stain
glasses windows dated from the 14th century. The
presentation is very well structured, starting on the north side
with the life of Saint Jean-Baptist and the Apostles, then in the
south with various saints, such as monks, bishops and popes.
During the
19th century, in the perforated triforium, 16th century stain
glasses windows originated from the nearby church of Saint Hilaire,
otherwise completely destroyed, has been installed. Some of them
might be from the famous Robert Pinaigrier.
In Saint
Pierre, very few remains from the 16th century. The
Saint Paul from François Marchand known for his work on the royal
graves of the Basilic of Saint Denis is kept in the Municipal Museum.
Among the
Bishops from Chartres, buried in this, now parish, church of Saint
Pierre, Fulbert of Chartres (Died on 1028) and Raoul Harscouët (Died
on 1954).
