A little history...The “Saint Yves house” is on the site of a very old priory, founded almost a millennium ago. A chapel dedicated to Saint Etienne was founded at the end of the 11th century . by Canon Audelard, "dean of Saint Mary" ( ie of Notre Dame cathedral) Chapel known as "Saint Etienne in the cloister", in the cloister of the nearby cathedral. With accommodation for several members of the clergy. Shortly after, it was donated by Bishop Yves de Chartres as a dependency for the abbey of Saint Jean en Vallée. Where the monks could undoubtedly offer hospitality to pilgrims and travellers.
The current hotel is a beautiful residence built in the 17th century . – whose construction you can admire, with in particular its vaulted gallery on the ground floor. House which in 1807 became a convent of nuns of Providence, then, in the 20th century ., major seminary – training house for future priests for the diocese. The seminaries of the ecclesiastical province are now grouped in Orleans. But the library of the old seminary remained here. Rich in ancient heritage, it continues to be enriched with current publications, especially in the field of religious sciences (Bible, theology, history of the Church, spirituality, and art of the Middle Ages). It wants to be welcoming and open to all readers or researchers. The diocesan archives are also kept in a recent annex to the house.
This former priory, almost a thousand years old, is now called "Maison Saint Yves", a fitting tribute to this great bishop of Chartres (1090-1115), whose memory evokes the influence of the cathedral in the Middle Ages, of the Marian pilgrimage and the fame of the Christian intellectual center that was at the time the "school of Chartres". House very close to the cathedral to welcome, today as in the Middle Ages, pilgrims, visitors, passing guests. All are welcome!
The current hotel is a beautiful residence built in the 17th century . – whose construction you can admire, with in particular its vaulted gallery on the ground floor. House which in 1807 became a convent of nuns of Providence, then, in the 20th century ., major seminary – training house for future priests for the diocese. The seminaries of the ecclesiastical province are now grouped in Orleans. But the library of the old seminary remained here. Rich in ancient heritage, it continues to be enriched with current publications, especially in the field of religious sciences (Bible, theology, history of the Church, spirituality, and art of the Middle Ages). It wants to be welcoming and open to all readers or researchers. The diocesan archives are also kept in a recent annex to the house.
This former priory, almost a thousand years old, is now called "Maison Saint Yves", a fitting tribute to this great bishop of Chartres (1090-1115), whose memory evokes the influence of the cathedral in the Middle Ages, of the Marian pilgrimage and the fame of the Christian intellectual center that was at the time the "school of Chartres". House very close to the cathedral to welcome, today as in the Middle Ages, pilgrims, visitors, passing guests. All are welcome!
Chartres Walking Tour
Approximately 1 hour, depending upon stops.
Rick Steves' Paris 23rd edition pg. 628
Rick Steves' Paris 23rd edition pg. 628