CHARTRES

This unusual view of Chartres Cathedral is taken from the old town near the Eure River (a bridge across the river can be seen in the foreground).

Chartres can trace its history back to the earliest times when it was one of the principal towns of the Carnutes, a Celtic tribe. The city was burned by the Normans in 858. It was acquired by the Crown in 1286.

It suffered significant damage during World War II in the Battle of Chartres (August 1944).

OJ