The route to Santiago de Compostela and her “painted churches”

Heading from Chartres Cathedral to Tours, pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela would stop to visit the “painted churches” of the Haute Vallée du Loir. You can take the same route today – by foot or by car.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Vallée du Loir witnessed a surge of artistic activity. Within the small Romanesque churches that formed part of the northern route to Compostela, colorful frescoes were painted and they are still visible today. Many of the wall murals depict pilgrims, while others show the important bishops of the day and religious figures. The almost naïf style of painting is fascinating – a treasure worth discovering!

Don’t miss: the Eglise de la Madeleine in Châteaudun and the Chapelle Notre-Dame d’Yron in Cloyes-sur-le-Loir and the Eglise Saint Pierre in Lutz-en-Dunois.

SPECIAL NOTE: For more information on the “Paris Route” to Santiago de Compostela through Chartres see the website of the British-based Confraternity of Saint James (www.csj.org.uk). The route uses marked footpaths known in France as Grandes Radonnées, to avoid busy roads.

For more information on the Chapelle Notre-Dame d’Yron