Souvenir Medal Monnaie de Paris 2007 - Notre-Dame de la Belle Verrière (28)

"Notre-Dame de la Belle-Verrière" is one of the most famous stained glass windows in the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Chartres, France. At its center, there is a representation of the Virgin Mary seated on a celestial throne with the Child Jesus. This stained glass window has gained worldwide renown for its exceptional cobalt blue color, known as the "Blue of Chartres." The Chartres Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, and its stained glass windows are impressive examples of medieval art. The name "Notre-Dame de la Belle-Verrière" refers to both the Virgin Mary and the stained glass window itself, which is composed of panels dating back to the 12th century and was reused during the construction of the current cathedral. Over time, the meaning of the term "Belle Verrière" has been lost, and it now applies to the stained glass window as a whole.