SECTION IV
CHARTRES TO ORLEANS, 45¼ MILES
(73 KILOMETRES)
DISTANCES ALONG THE ROUTE
| Kil. | Miles. | |
| Chartres to Allonnes | 18 | 11¼ |
| Allonnes to Ymonville | 10 | 6¼ |
| Ymonville to Artenay | 23 | 14¼ |
| Artenay to Orleans | 22 | 13¾ |
NOTES FOR DRIVERS
A straight road across the level plain of La Bauce, sometimes subjected to fierce rain storms.
PLACES OF INTEREST ON THE ROUTE
Chartres.—Cathedral, one of the finest in the world, built chiefly in early part of thirteenth century; magnificent twelfth and thirteenth century glass; remarkable north and south porches, encrusted with carving and statuary; early crypt. Churches of (1) St. Père-en-Vallée, (2) St. Aignan, (3) St. Martin-au-Val, (4) St. André, (5) St. Foi. Hôtel de Ville (Renaissance); the Bishop’s Palace; Maison de Loëns; Maison du Médecin (Renaissance); Maison du Saumon, fifteenth century; Escalier de la Reine-Berthe, sixteenth century; Porte Guillaume, the only gateway of the city, fourteenth century; and many old houses and portions of city walls.
Orleans.—A city of new appearance on the Loire; cathedral, thirteenth, sixteenth, and eighteenth centuries. Churches: (1) St. Pierre-le-Puellier has ninth to twelfth century work, (2) St. Aignan, (3) St. Euverte (Flamboyant), (4) Notre Dame de Recouvrance. Hôtel de Ville (Renaissance); the Bishop’s Palace; Rue du Tabour, containing Musée and Maison Jeanne d’Arc; Hôtel Cabut, containing Musée Historique; remains of city walls.
CHARTRES
In approaching the city across the plain from Dreux the huge bulk of the cathedral alone broke the monotonous horizon, and when one is inside the moat and fragmentary ramparts, the vast Gothic church remains the paramount interest. In its fabric is the story of Chartres, and apart from the cathedral there is little to tell of the town’s genesis.