In order to learn more about the art I visited the International Stained Glass Centre housed in a renovated medieval storehouse near the Cathedral. The centre takes visitors through the steps of creating a stained glass window. Glass cases detail the process from the initial sketch of the design through to the firing of the finished piece. Behind a large glass window you can watch the artisans at work as they painstakingly create their colourful pieces and if you’re lucky you’ll be treated to a hands on demonstration by the craftspeople.

The museum is made up of many small rooms with changing exhibits. During my visit the main exhibit consisted of replicas of the stained glass windows in Chartres Cathedral, along with explanations as to what each window represented. Since the windows were at eye level rather than hundreds of feet above my head as in the Cathedral, this provided an opportunity to really study and appreciate their detail. If this exhibit is still on, I’d recommend coming here before visiting the Cathedral.

Downstairs is a gallery of modern stained glass including a video called "Lumiere" by Matiere. The contemporary display included abstracts with lots of bright, primary colours from master stained glass artists throughout France. The pictures were laid flat on stands, about table top high and lit from underneath to highlight the colours.

The centre is open Monday to Friday from 9:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. and 1:30 to 6 (weekends from 10am and 2:30 respectively) and admission is €4.

Not quite at stained glass burn out I also stopped at La Galerie du Vitrail at 17 cloitre Notre Dame, across from the Cathedral’s North Portal. This large store is filled with stained glass - mostly contemporary pieces for sale but it also some 19th and 20th century pieces on display.