Chartres Cathedral is the cathedral church of Notre Dame (Our Lady) in the city of Chartres in northwestern France. It is one of the foremost examples of High Gothic French architecture, and is widely noted not only for its innovations in architecture, but also for its many sculptures and celebrated stained glass. The oldest parts of the cathedral are taken from a Romanesque church, which was destroyed by a fire in 1194. The present day cathedral was constructed on this church’s foundation, with construction beginning in this same year. It was complete