Stained Glass Centre, Chartres (June 1)

As is usual in non-Paris France, shops and other places close down over lunch.  I waited until 1.30pm to see inside the Stained Glass Centre near the cathedral, and it was absolutely worth it.  It was possibly the best 4€ I've ever spent.  The displays are inside an enormous old tithing barn

here is an inside view

and you get the chance to see, as close as you wish, every detail of the main panels of the stained glass in the cathedral.  They are full size, reproduced in colour on paperboard, and there is a key to reading the panels (bottom to top, left to right).  This is part of the Noah story.

There are also plenty of real stained glass examples to give you a sense of the sheer magnitude of the work involved.  This closeup shows painted detail.

I think about the artist adding these strokes, knowing that no-one will see the detail from a distance, yet being committed to doing the best job he can.  This is a medieval kiln.

There are displays explaining the process of cleaning and repairing glass, and the centre has a workshop area, and from another room you can hear the sounds of students creating their own glass art.  In the crypt there was a display by contemporary German glass artists.

I bought some small fused pieces made at a local school.