Collégiale Saint-André, Collegiate church in Chartres, France
The Collégiale Saint-André is a collegiate church in Chartres situated on the banks of the Eure River, featuring a 12th-century Romanesque western facade without a sculptured tympanum. It now functions as an exhibition space for contemporary art through the city's Chemin des Arts program.
Construction began around 960 on the site of a Gallo-Roman amphitheater, and Bishop Saint Yves granted it collegiate status in 1108. This transformation made it a center for canons and gave it a prominent role in the city's religious structure.
The portals display expressive human heads carved on the capitals, showing a personal touch to the stonework that catches your eye as you walk past. The Gothic windows above feature gargoyles similar to those on the cathedral tower, creating a visual connection between the two buildings.
The building sits right by the river, making it easy to reach from the city center. Since it operates as an art gallery, visiting hours may vary depending on the exhibition schedule.
The choir once stretched across two arches that spanned the Eure River and an adjacent street. This unusual arrangement allowed the building to hover over the water and connect two parts of the city.
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