The Chartres Cathedral Treasure is made up of more than 200 religious objects in gold and silver, some of which have been in service for almost a thousand years.
These liturgical pieces are still used regularly, so that continuity between the generations of Cathedral bishops may be maintained.
The treasure also includes objects of inestimable value to the faithful, such as the "Veil", or "Shirt" of the Virgin Mary, and many other holy relics.
Astonishing items such as the belts of shells – the wampums – donated to Chartres Cathedral by the Huron and Abenaquis tribes of North America, in the 17th century, also figure in the collection.

The Virgin's Veil is on show in the cathedral, but the rest of the treasure is not. A project to make these extraordinary pieces accessible to visitors is, however, under consideration.




Click on "Video" to see some of the most remarkable pieces of the Chartres Cathedral Treasure.

Chartres Cathedral is one of the buildings affiliated to the Centre for National Monuments.