Chartres Cathedral Crypt is the Old Church of Chartres
Follow me down the 18th century steps into gothic Chartres cathedral crypt of the Chartres, France. It is one of the largest in France and you quickly feel like you are in another church instead of in the crypt. Walk on 6th century stones and explore sights that date back to Gallic times.
Just below you are viewing thee altar of the chapel of Our Lady (Notre Dame) of the Crypt. It is a 70 meter long gallery that was restored in 1976. The guide told us that this chapel in Chartres Cathedral crypt is still used for baptisms.
This series of seven chapels in the crypt are partly above and partly below ground. When visiting the cathedral proper, you are actually on the second floor of the structure! It was definitely odd to be under the church proper and yet still have so much light because of the chapel windows. Don’t misunderstand, some parts of the crypt are dimly lit and definitely felt claustrophobic to me as I don’t even care for the closed space of an elevator!
Statuary from Royal Portal
These figures above are from the Royal Portal and were placed down in the crypt to prevent further deterioration from the outside elements.
Chartres Cathedral Crypt Frescoes
In the Saint Clement (bishop of Rome) chapel is a 12th century fresco. St Giles (below) is celebrating mass before Charlemagne. The other figures are St Clement, St Nicholas, St James the Major, St Peter and St Martin (bishop of Tours).
Saint Clement (bishop of Rome) Chapel
Chartres Cathedral Crypt Well of Saint-Forts
This baptismal font dates from the 12th century and is still used for christenings.
There is also a well in the gothic crypt, the Well of Saints-Forts (the Well of Strong Saints) that was actually outside the Carolingian era church at Chartres. This well is at the entrance of the subterranean chapel.
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